Fuses

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

Fuse 120a, Dont know WTF ultimate is smoking, U want the fuse to pop when it draws too much current that the amp cant handle ( which since the amp is rates a 3x40a = 120amps). If you fuse it with 300a and it draws a spike of 250a then the power fuse wont pop, but the ones on the amp should (probably blow something else with it to). You dont fuse the max power rating of the cable. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif if he's doing a huge upgrade to later to his substage im sure the extra $5 for a fuse will be worth it anyways. At least this way he wont blow what he has right now

when what draws too much current that the amp cant handle? The amp? If the amp pulls more current that it is designed to the internal fuses will blow.

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

when what draws too much current that the amp cant handle? The amp? If the amp pulls more current that it is designed to the internal fuses will blow.

That's what I'm trying to tell them. Somehow people got the impression that fusing power wire is for amplifiers, when in fact the fuses on the circuit board do that.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

i would like to hear your explanation of blowing a battery please //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Explode as in come apart, not explode as in nuke the engine compartment.

I know they can heat up and "explode" if they're charged too fast from deep discharge. I just don't like having the possibility of drawing 500 or 600A for a few seconds while a 300A fuse heats up and blows when a 120A fuse will work exactly the same for that particular amp and blow almost instantly if there's a short.

I just think it's pointless to use a fuse bigger than the amp needs regardless of the size of the wire. Factor of safety drops significantly for no reason other than to be able to say you're using a 300A fuse.

I have my opinion, you have yours.

Grinder can figure the rest out on his own.

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

hmmm anybody wanna explain to me how the fuses in a sundown 1500d ( 4x40a ) dont pop when we have measured them pulling close to 200 amps ??
you fuse to the wire.. the amps fusing is for itself

I just think it's pointless to use a fuse bigger than the amp needs regardless of the size of the wire.

But as lilmaniac is saying, an amplifier that is working correctly can pull more current than the fuses on the amp itself. 4x40a = 160amp when its pulling 200amps.

One case was on here just a few days ago ... a guy had an amp with 2x40amp (or 4x20) fuses, but was popping 80amp fuses like candy. Why? Efficiency is different from install to install and can draw more or less current than the added amount of fuses on the amp case.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

fine, then go 150A

300 is just overkill and pointless IMO

 

[Grinder1989 5,000+ posts]

Wow I missed a lot lol. Anyway I think I'm getting different cable because I think the 1/0 gauge from kunukonceptz might be too much. I was thinking maybe the knu Kolossus Kable 4 Gauge. Is that a big enough wire or should i go with the 1/0? I'm not too concerned about the money and My system in this car is at the limit i want it at. Suggestions?

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

4 ga will work, yes.

120-130A fuse and you're golden.

 

[wu36ca 10+ year member]

Sorry to thread jack, but I am running a 1,200 watt amp that is 1 ohm stable. I am currently running it at 2 ohms. Although it is running like 100 watts, but that is a different thread. Anyway, it is a 1,200 watt RMS amp, but it has 1 60 A fuse. It seems kind of low for its potential power. I am running an 80 A fuse next to the battery just because 60 A seems really small. I am assuming if something goes wrong it would probably create enough heat to break the 80 A fuse. Am I fine with the fuse I have? Oh yeah, I am running 4 guage wire.

 

[SPL140.2 5,000+ posts]

rate the fuse to the size wire, the fuse protects the wire //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[wu36ca 10+ year member]

So would 80 A be fine for 4 gauge? I haven't popped the fuse yet, so I guess that means its not too small. I highly doubt it is too big.

 

[SPL140.2 5,000+ posts]

youll be alright if it hasnt popped yet, depending on the wire manufacture 120 amp fuse tops for the 4 guage unless its a short run wire it could take more.

 

[dumple 5,000+ posts]

what about when your amp needs an external fuse mine says it needs an external 150amp fuse

i have a distro with an 80amp maxi and an anl fuse holder that has a 70amp fuse in it will that work if i have a 250amp breaker 6inchs of the batt.

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

Sorry to thread jack, but I am running a 1,200 watt amp that is 1 ohm stable. I am currently running it at 2 ohms. Although it is running like 100 watts, but that is a different thread. Anyway, it is a 1,200 watt RMS amp, but it has 1 60 A fuse. It seems kind of low for its potential power. I am running an 80 A fuse next to the battery just because 60 A seems really small. I am assuming if something goes wrong it would probably create enough heat to break the 80 A fuse. Am I fine with the fuse I have? Oh yeah, I am running 4 guage wire.

Is the 1200w you're talking about max ?

 

[wu36ca 10+ year member]

No it is RMS

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

1200w simply isn't happening with a 60A fuse.

It may or may not actually be capable of that much power, but that 60A fuse is toast long before the amp will get to 1200.

I know of one unusual case where an amp was measured at 900w+ with 2x30A fuses, but even that much is a rare exception.