new audio system blowing up my fuse
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=95701
Printed Date: May 04, 2024 at 8:56 AM
Topic: new audio system blowing up my fuse
Posted By: exoid
Subject: new audio system blowing up my fuse
Date Posted: July 18, 2007 at 12:55 AM
Hello There, I recently setup my new audio system in my Ford Explorer Sports Trac '03. Hooked up a new deck, subs, and amp and after the installation i was lisening to music and pushed the volume passed 80% and my car's fuse for audio (which is also for the power locks & power windows) blew up. this has happened a few times now after i try to raise the volume.. could anyone please indicate some possible causes of this? the only technical thing i noticed is that the power cord from my car to my deck is rated 7.5v, and the deck takes 10v. but still runs just fine. now im not sure if its asking for more power than it can handle or something? any idea at the cause of this? would be very helpful. thanks a lot!
Replies:
Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: July 18, 2007 at 6:04 AM
Did you run the power wire for your amp to the battery?
Posted By: exoid
Date Posted: July 18, 2007 at 9:15 AM
no, i just plugged the power wire that was behind the old deck in the car.. its been suggested i run a power line from the batteyr.. is this the only solution?
Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: July 18, 2007 at 9:29 AM
So, you are saying you ran your amplifier power to the fuse block?
Ummm.... yeah.... That is ABSOLUTELY your problem, and your only solution is to power the amp correctly. Wire it up correctly, then come back to tell us if you still have problems.
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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: July 18, 2007 at 4:54 PM
wow, I watched a guy burn his car to the ground this way! If you dont know what your doing,TAKE IT SOMEWHERE!
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2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place
Posted By: sarcomax
Date Posted: July 19, 2007 at 12:15 PM
Just to be clear, you connected the power for the radio and the power for the amp at the same location, behind the factory radio location? what size power wire did you use for the amp wiring? a 10 amp fuse for the amp seems kinda small.
Posted By: mjwood0
Date Posted: July 20, 2007 at 7:28 AM
If you're unsure, take it to a professional.
That said, the proper way to install an amp is to run a decent gauge wire from your battery, through a fuse (within 18 or so inches of the battery) back to the amp directly. The size of the wire and the size of the fuse depend on the current requirements of your particular amp.
The head unit could be wired into the power behind the dash where the old head unit was installed. However, if you're using the head units built in amp to power speakers, the power supply for the old head unit may not be sufficient. In this case, you'd again run a power wire (fused) from the battery.
I didn't trust the factory power location and already had my dash apart from installing my alarm / remote start. So I ran a large enough gauge wire from my battery to a fuse block behind my glove box and then run both the alarm and the head unit off separate fuses. The wire (and fuse) from the battery are sized correctly for both loads plus some for future expansion. Note: I would not run an amp off this setup. That should be direct from the battery.
You'll note that I talk a lot about fuses. If you don't understand them, or anything else I wrote, please seek professional help. Current can cause nasty burns, shocks and fires if not fused properly.
Good luck!
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