lost dashboard lights

[JBGabriel 10+ year member]

Lol when i put a headunit in my car it popped the puny 5 amp fuse that came with the car stock. I have since put a 10 amp and have never had a problem again. Im pretty sure 5 more amps isnt gonna cause the wiring to melt. Its just because the new headunit demands more current than the stock radio.

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

Lol when i put a headunit in my car it popped the puny 5 amp fuse that came with the car stock. I have since put a 10 amp and have never had a problem again. Im pretty sure 5 more amps isnt gonna cause the wiring to melt. Its just because the new headunit demands more current than the stock radio.

you are doubling the current potential for that circuit. If the stock wiring is only meant to carry that 5 amps, you'll melt the wire real quick.

Increasing fuse size should NEVER be done.

 

[JBGabriel 10+ year member]

Well if I didnt have a short than why was it poppin the fuse? And how would I go about fixing it?

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

Well if I didnt have a short than why was it poppin the fuse? And how would I go about fixing it?

Assuming all wiring was correct, as you said the new radio was probably drawing more current. You should install your own fused wire in this situation. This way you know you have the correct wire size for your application.

 

[JBGabriel 10+ year member]

I think thats too much work to avoid something that will probably never happen. I have never heard of someone burning their car down from installing a headunit and using a bigger fuse. Now with high power amps and such I totally agree with you. You should never exceed the power handling of a certain wire gauge. But i think running another wire just for your headunit is overkill. I am pretty new to the whole car audio thing. But is it really that common to run another power wire just for your headunit?

 

[BassBallin]

bigger fuses is how you start fires

 

[JBGabriel 10+ year member]

I understand that but how of many times have you heard it happening with a headunit? With more power demand and things like an amp i can understand. BUt not with the little current a headunit draws compared to that.

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

I understand that but how of many times have you heard it happening with a headunit? With more power demand and things like an amp i can understand. BUt not with the little current a headunit draws compared to that.

the size of the current doesn't matter. If you exceed the current carrying capacity of a small wire it will get just as hot as 300A going through 2 gauge wire. It only takes one wire to light your car on fire. Why take the chance?