I have a car amp that was recommended to use 4 gauge power wire, which is about as thick as my pinky finger. But the wire in the in-line fuse (100 amp fuse) is about the diameter of a pencil lead. Why the super thick power wire then? Isn't the current flow 'throttled' going thru that super skinny fuse?
2007-02-25 22:17:01 · 5 answers · asked by Edoram 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Audio
No. The fuse will get hot while it's in use if the current level is near the limit for the fuse. If the wire were that size, the entire wire would heat up. Additionally the resistance of the fuse is very low due to its short length. If the wire were the same size, the total resistance would be much higher and the voltage drop across the wire would be too high to carry the current needed.
2007-02-25 22:23:59 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Heavy guage wire equals less resistance. The fuse is there to protect your gear from an overload. It is much easier and less expensive to replace a fuse instead of an amp or speakers.
2007-02-26 06:37:01 · answer #2 · answered by Mack 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are worried use a large amp fuse (i use 60amp rampage) in a fuse holder under the bonnet near the battery with 8 gauge wire, my wires do not get hot at all and the fuse only gets slighlty hot (this was after playing it 12 hours straight [old broken car, drunk with a mate]) use exactly the same system in my supra now but with a new amp, sub and stereo as it got broken into (i forgot to arm the alarm :( and i forgot to lock one of the doors so it's my own fault i know im an idiot but they had to try it that night didnt they.....). Anyway inline fuses are tiny so they are hidden out of sight easily and will not cause any problems.
2007-02-26 06:37:58 · answer #3 · answered by tsupra84 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
skinny fuse does not matter if it can handel the voltage......the thick wires are only to give a better output in the sound system....you wll notice it if u change from thick to slim wires the difference in sound quality.....if the fuse gives up then get another fuse of a better capacity......rest it's not a big problem...thick wires carry the music very smoothly and gives a good output....
2007-02-26 11:43:57 · answer #4 · answered by ashug_87 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NEVER put in a larger fuse than required.
2007-02-26 09:13:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋