Where to fuse power cables?

[kingsxman 10+ year member]

I'm going to be running 4 gage power back to distribution block to run 2 amps off 8 gauge wire. Is fusing at distribution block enough or do I still need some sort of a inline fuse for the 4 gauge wire going TO the dist. block?

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[KaeZoo 10+ year member]

Yes, you need a fuse near the battery. Otherwise a short circuit between the battery and the d-block could start a fire.

 

[VOA_NIGHTMARE 10+ year member]

yes definatly put one up by the battery uncase there is a short

 

[M@nJo 10+ year member]

at least within 3 feet of the battery.

 

[kingsxman 10+ year member]

THanks Guys. Will definitely fuse at the batter. So its good to fuse by the battery AND fuse at the D-Block?

 

[KaeZoo 10+ year member]

You need to fuse at the battery, and again whenever the wire gauge gets smaller; ie, 4 gauge turning to 8 gauge at the d-block.

 

[kingsxman 10+ year member]

Thanks. What fuses would I use if I was driving 2 amps off a dist. box: a 120 watt Sony amp for subs and an Alpine MRV-345 (75 w x 4) amp for front and rear.

Just wondering what fuses to put in dist. box.

 

[tRiGgEr 5,000+ posts]

60amp breaker would work fine for the distro.

 

[MegaHurtz 10+ year member]

within 18 of the battery on the main line, seperate fuses using the appropriate size at each amp in the trunk at the d-block

 

[nas786 10+ year member]

What if I wire the power to one amp, from the 12Vout of that amp I wire another amp, do I need any extra fuses in there somewhere.

I'll be using 8 gauge power wire throughout tho

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

DO NOT wire an amp like that. Not only is it dangerous.. also pretty ghetto. Buy a distro block and fuse each line at 50A.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

DO NOT wire an amp like that. Not only is it dangerous.. also pretty ghetto. Buy a distro block and fuse each line at 50A.

It's not dangerous, but it is a bit ghetto. As long as the primary wire is large enough to support both amps it's exactly the same thing as a distribution block. Wouldn't be very practical if you're using very thick wire, but electrically there's nothing wrong with it.

 

[nas786 10+ year member]

DO NOT wire an amp like that. Not only is it dangerous.. also pretty ghetto. Buy a distro block and fuse each line at 50A.

How is it dangerous, the amp is made to do that, its a usamp400x.

Do I run any risks by doing this?

 

[nas786 10+ year member]

It's not dangerous, but it is a bit ghetto. As long as the primary wire is large enough to support both amps it's exactly the same thing as a distribution block. Wouldn't be very practical if you're using very thick wire, but electrically there's nothing wrong with it.

I'm only using 8g throughout...should be good right? 400 watts @ 4ohm for the sub, 50 watts X 2 @ 4 ohm for speakers.

 

[n2audio 5,000+ posts]

with a 50A fuse near the battery it should work fine.