adding amp, not fusing it inline?

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

I have a shitty pioneer deck with only one set of preouts. currently i only have a bass amp, but will be adding a 4ch this weekend. As to the RCAs. Am I going to need to get the Y splitters into the 4ch? The deck has 1 "general" preout (its not a "low" or "high" preout)...If this is the case, I was going to run the rcas from HU to 4 channel, Y the signal to go into both amp inputs. From there, I was going to dasiychain from 4ch outs to mono inputs....Ok, thats the RCA issue

Now the power wire issue. I have 4ga going straight to my bass amp, and I dont want to disturb that. So, I have some 8ga that Im going to run straight to the 4ch. I dont want to use a distro, Id rather keep each amp on their own wire. My mono is inline fused. Is it required that I inline fuse the 4ch also? I know that some people dont fuse their power wire, but perhaps these people have more 12v knowledge than I do..So what are the factors around fusing/not fusing a power wire?

Thanks for the help guys

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[GearGuy2001 10+ year member]

Depends, does either your 4 channel or sub amp have a Pre Out RCA? You could use it as a pass through to the other amp. Like RCAs go from HU to 4 Channel Amp, then there is a set labeled Pre Out RCA on the 4 channel so you run a short RCA from those two to the Inputs on the sub amp

Also Why not run 1/0 then split to 4awg and 8awg for your 4 channel? Or get a distro that has a 4 In 4 Out and 8 Out, Knukonceptz makes one, Im pretty sure.

 

[eutechnyx 10+ year member]

You dont HAVE to fuse it,but keep in mind if that power wire ever shorts out from battery to amplifier it is more than likely done for.

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

but keep in mind if that power wire ever shorts out from battery to amplifier it is more than likely done for.

wouldnt that just blow the fuse on the amp? (i know it is said that it is NEVER good to blow a fuse on amp) What would cause a short?

Like RCAs go from HU to 4 Channel Amp, then there is a set labeled Pre Out RCA on the 4 channel so you run a short RCA from those two to the Inputs on the sub amp

yes, thats what i mean by daisy chaining. actually both amps have rca outs, but i figured it would be better to send the lead RCAs to the 4ch first. But I will have to Y the signal right? As I believe the amp has 2 inputs (front, rear)

 

[patotay 10+ year member]

wouldnt that just blow the fuse on the amp? (i know it is said that it is NEVER good to blow a fuse on amp) What would cause a short?

yes

yes, thats what i mean by daisy chaining. actually both amps have rca outs, but i figured it would be better to send the lead RCAs to the 4ch first. But I will have to Y the signal right? As I believe the amp has 2 inputs (front, rear)

you can tap both signal..

i suggest buying a good hu

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

i suggest buying a good hu

this will be coming in a few monthes hopefully

 

[patotay 10+ year member]

what kind of hu?goodluck

 

[QuikSilverRS91 10+ year member]

yes

you can tap both signal..

i suggest buying a good hu

NO. If it's the amp causing the short then yes it could just blow the fuse. Let's say the wire is rubbing on the firewall and shorts out. The fuse on the amp isn't going to do a **** thing. It creates a short; a direct connection from the positive terminal on the battery to the ground. If there's no inline fuse to prevent the wire from drawing current, the wire will experience a thermal runaway, completely overheat, and could catch fire. Even better, your battery could catch fire as well. FUSE THE WIRE!!! There is NO reason you can't spend a few dollars on an inline fuse when it could potentially save your car and the lives of everyone in it.

Oh and before you say "yeah what are the chances of that though," I know at least a dozen people who have had their power wires catch fire. They all ended their story with, "I'm lucky I got out of the car alive."

As for the RCAs, you seem to have the right idea. The only problem with the one set of preouts is that you won't have full control over each amp/channel.

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

you could get a 1/2 din EQ

 

[QuikSilverRS91 10+ year member]

you could get a 1/2 din EQ

That too. Not really a bad idea if you're trying to save some money but still want the functionality.

 

[patotay 10+ year member]

NO. If it's the amp causing the short then yes it could just blow the fuse. Let's say the wire is rubbing on the firewall and shorts out. The fuse on the amp isn't going to do a **** thing. It creates a short; a direct connection from the positive terminal on the battery to the ground. If there's no inline fuse to prevent the wire from drawing current, the wire will experience a thermal runaway, completely overheat, and could catch fire. Even better, your battery could catch fire as well. FUSE THE WIRE!!! There is NO reason you can't spend a few dollars on an inline fuse when it could potentially save your car and the lives of everyone in it.
Oh and before you say "yeah what are the chances of that though," I know at least a dozen people who have had their power wires catch fire. They all ended their story with, "I'm lucky I got out of the car alive."

As for the RCAs, you seem to have the right idea. The only problem with the one set of preouts is that you won't have full control over each amp/channel.

lol

wouldnt that just blow the fuse on the amp? (i know it is said that it is NEVER good to blow a fuse on amp) What would cause a short?

YES i would not JUST blow the fuse on the amp! YES, it is not good to blow a fuse on an amp! heat,wrong connection,ground prob etc causes short circuit..i suggest fuse the powerline with the right ah

OH and some spl players do not use fuse //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif