How big of a fuse do ya think?
 

I am just in the process of upgrading my system to about 1500 watts rms / 3000 watts max. I have upgraded the "big 3" and my alternator produces about 180 amps. Two questions:

1. What amperage fuse is sufficient/ideal to use from the battery? Is there a way to calculate?

2. Is it best the fuse each amp after the power distribution block? for example, one amp I have is rated:

Current consumption = 31.0 amps at continous power, 4ohms and
Average current drawn = 7.3 amps at 2ohms.

What sized line fuse would I intall for this amp?

Thanks again for any suggestions & help!!! (I guess it's actally 4 questions)

your fuse you use on your power wire should be based on how much power the wire you are useing can handle . not how much power you are useing.

Thanks RedZone, I have 1/0 gauge running off the battery to the dist block ~ What do you think would be a good sized fuse for this?

After the dist block I have 4 gauge wires running to each of the 3 amps ~ How big a fuse for each of these amps?

Thanks :)

I'd toss atleast around 200 on the 1/0, and about 80-100 on the 4 if you wanted.

Explain Fuse?

The rule of thumb is to add the fuse values of all your amplifiers together for the value of your main power line fuse.

Thanks again Weston, Pioneer Guy & others for the suggestions. So just to clarify Pioneer Guy's statement ~ do I combine which of the 2 below specs?

Current consumption = 31.0 amps at continous power, 4ohms and
Average current drawn = 7.3 amps at 2ohms.

I am thinking for 3 amps (assuming all identical) add 31.0 + 31.0 + 31.0 = 93.0.

So I should install a 40amp fuse in each 4 gauge line then a 120amp fuse from the battery? Does this seem right?

Thanks.

Xiphoid, I don't understand what you want me to explain about using a fuse.

The fuse by the battery is simply for the wire itself, not the combined fuse rating of the amps. I have 1/0 and I have a 250 anl fuse on it, and I'm only running a rockford T10001bd, no problems.

A much better aproach, would be to actually understand what the wire can handle. opposed to just adding up the fuses on the amps. and 1/0's limit is about 350 AMPS...

Mark

What size fuse should be used after the dist block to the amp? 40 amp?