Distribution Amp Fuses

Michael1 · 11-05-2007, 04:55 PM

What amp size would i need to power a 3000watt amp and a 12v neon kit? Any help would be greatly appriciated.

Thank you

Michael1 · 11-06-2007, 04:47 AM

Any help is appreciated, could you also tell me how i could find out what size amp fuse i wil need for the power application i'm putting into the fused distribution block?

DarquePervert · 11-06-2007, 08:46 AM

Does the amplifier documentation have a recommendation?

Michael1 · 11-06-2007, 10:56 AM

It doesn't say, but on the features list it says that the power cable as a fuse holder installed with a 80A fuse. I'm connecting it straight into a fused distro block, what size fuse would i use for the distro block?

RyanD · 11-07-2007, 10:26 PM

ok so you need to know what size fuse/wire combo to use or an 3000 watt amp and a neon kit? first off, if the amp needs a 80 amp fuse, can your alternator run it?--manufacturures usually spec an alternator that can will fit the electrical need of the car, not any extra electronics.

If you have already upgraded your alternator, good, if you haven't--you will need to soon

according to Probox 5, you should use at least 2 gauge wire for the amp, because noens are high voltage and not high amperage, you can run them off of the same line with no problems--(average draw for neons are under 1 amp)

DrSpliff · 11-08-2007, 02:02 AM

3000 watt amp means NOTHING....that is a peak power rating. Look at what ohms you will be running the amp at, and then the RMS ratings for the amp. In all reality that amp is probably running 1000 watts rms. That's a lot different than 3000 watts.

Michael1 · 11-28-2007, 09:16 AM

Sorry i know this is a old thread but i havn't had time to reply.

The ohms for the amp is 2000 watts @ 4 ohms

pokki · 11-28-2007, 01:30 PM

With only 80 amps current draw it cannot output more than 1050 watts RMS. So essentially 4 guage cable is the minimum thickness recomended (with 100 amp fuse), however I'd use 2 guage cable and fuse the cable with a 100-150 amp fuse/circuit breaker) - the fuse on power wire is there to protect the cable/car, the amp should have it's own internal fuses to protect it'self.

Michael1 · 11-29-2007, 04:27 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by pokki

With only 80 amps current draw it cannot output more than 1050 watts RMS. So essentially 4 guage cable is the minimum thickness recomended (with 100 amp fuse), however I'd use 2 guage cable and fuse the cable with a 100-150 amp fuse/circuit breaker) - the fuse on power wire is there to protect the cable/car, the amp should have it's own internal fuses to protect it'self.

Thank you, if i put a slightly higher rating fuse in... would that be dangerous or anything?

pokki · 11-29-2007, 02:34 PM

Presuming we're talking about the fuse on the power wire correct? If so never install a fuse greater than the current capacity of the cable.

www.the12volt.com have an excellent chart for maximum fuse sizes here:
http://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp

Personally I try to pick the 1/2 way point between my amps max current draw (see fuses in amps) and the power cables max current supply.

Michael1 · 11-30-2007, 04:39 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by pokki

Presuming we're talking about the fuse on the power wire correct? If so never install a fuse greater than the current capacity of the cable.

www.the12volt.com have an excellent chart for maximum fuse sizes here:
http://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp

Personally I try to pick the 1/2 way point between my amps max current draw (see fuses in amps) and the power cables max current supply.

If i added the current draw of all the applications that's going to the distro block and devide that number by 12v, will i get the correct fuse size for the distro block? Say if i'm going to put a 2x1500 watt amp and a 4x50 watt head unit in.. would that be 266 so would i use a 260 amp fuse?

pokki · 11-30-2007, 02:03 PM

No, because a lot of cheap manufacturers lie about their power outputs.

The better way is to look at the fuse values of the actual products, and simply add them up.

DodgeCummins · 12-02-2007, 04:40 PM

Your amplifier manufacturer probably specified a cable and fuse...so use that.

No the neon won't take any more power than your dome light.

You want to use the smallest fuse that won't blow every time you turn on your amp...you want more wire than needed...you want a smaller fuse than the wire can handle.

The first purpose of the fuse is to keep your wires from catching on fire. The second purpose is to protect sensitive electronics.