Install related Need a car audio install related question answered? Have a tip you want to share, post in here!

Low Voltage

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 02:56 PM
  #1  
Adam's Avatar
Thread Starter
0 Watt CAFz'r
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7
Post

Hello,

I recently bought one of those Bazooka 8" subs to replace my dual infinity setup. Reason for this was to regain my trunkspace back and still have a little bit of thump in the trunk.

I installed everything today however I ran into a snag. My amp won't power on. I ran the 12V line off of the battery, through an 80amp fuse, through the firewall, along side the car hiding underneath the panels and into the trunk. I ran the remote line off the deck and ran the ground to a metal bracket on the trunk which I cleaned all the paint off with my dremel making it a nice clean contact. I even used electrolyte grease to make a real good connection.

I tested the voltage at the battery, 12.6V. I then tested the voltage through the fuse and it was pulling 9V for some reason. Then I tested the voltage at the amp and it was barely pulling 2V. Anyone have any clue as to why the voltage is so low in the backend? My gear consists of the following.

Amp: Rockford Fosgate 400S
Sub: Bazooka NOS bottle sub 500watts peak
HU: Alpine 9815
Wiring: BassWorx 1000watt amp wiring kit

The rest is all stock...oh and the car is a 2001 Ford Focus LX.

Any advice would be great. I was thinking that it could be the inline fuse holder but wasn't sure.
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 03:14 PM
  #2  
Sassmaster's Avatar
Merry Christmass from CCA
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,579
Post

check your fuse, and your connections at the fuse holder, sounds like a bad fuse to me, or a bad conncection.
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 03:36 PM
  #3  
JohnVroom's Avatar
Yankee
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
Post

bad crimp?
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 05:05 PM
  #4  
loudtdi's Avatar
500 Watt CAFz'r
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 628
Post

ditto,

check all connections.....with no load, you should have next to no voltage drop front to back.
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 05:59 PM
  #5  
Adam's Avatar
Thread Starter
0 Watt CAFz'r
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7
Post

Ok...I am gonna go out and buy a new fuse holder cuz this one well...its mising one of the alen key nuts. I will replace this one with a pheonix gold fuse holder/fuse and see if that solves the problem. Thanks the the advice guys
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 08:03 PM
  #6  
loudtdi's Avatar
500 Watt CAFz'r
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 628
Post

I think it will help.

The old 'friction' fit just does not cut it.
Old Mar 16, 2005 | 05:06 AM
  #7  
Adam's Avatar
Thread Starter
0 Watt CAFz'r
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7
Post

is there any way to test for a bad fuse?
Old Mar 16, 2005 | 06:01 PM
  #8  
JohnVroom's Avatar
Yankee
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
Post

You said you have been checking voltages… the voltmeter should tell you where the voltage drop starts.
To check the fuse I recommend using a digital multimeter (DMM) since it is an easy auto ranging tool, set the DMM to voltage and read across the fuse while powered up there should be a zero voltage reading (the fuse should consume no power).

In fact you need to figure out where the voltage drop starts and then you will have found the problem. Start from the + terminal and check every silly thing in line with that power wire till you find the source of the voltage drop.

Another technique for checking the fuse is to pull the fuse in question and use the DMM set to resistance. The resistance across the fuse should be very low (less than 1 ohm). Fuses are cheap, buy spares.

You have several problems, that’s why everyone suspects poor connections. You have a voltage drop to your fuse (9V) AND a voltage drop to your amp (2V). Your job young grasshopper is to identify the problem with the voltmeter. Weak connections are dangerous and consume power (as you know) they also can generate large amounts of heat and start fires.
Old Mar 18, 2005 | 07:38 PM
  #9  
JohnVroom's Avatar
Yankee
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
Post

well Adam what is the status?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bodar
General Discussion
32
Oct 26, 2007 02:54 AM
contour24v
Install related
5
May 16, 2006 11:40 PM
Sunil82
General Discussion
2
Jul 1, 2004 08:18 PM
wiltshire559
Install related
5
May 22, 2004 06:39 AM
Fever
General Discussion
2
Aug 12, 2003 05:36 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:31 AM.