So tonight I did the big 3 wiring upgrade on my 2001 Dodge Dakota with 1/0 AWG. When I hooked up my amp (Sundown Saz-3000d) I lost all power. My truck had no life. I then unplugged the amp, and some power came back right away. But it wasn't enough to start the truck. I jumped it, and let it run for about 5 mins, then I hooked up the amp again, this time with the truck on. As soon as I put the wire in the terminal on my amp, the truck cut off again and needed a jump.
What is the issue? Do I need an h/o alt and a new battery?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

from the sounds of it , your electrical can not keep up with running both the amp and the truck , more then likely you will need to add , or upgrade your batterys potentually a ho alt as well

 

To me it sounds like a short of some sort at the amp or possibly an issue with the amplifier. If everything is working fine and it's just when you're giving the amp power it happens then I would have to blame something at that point. If you have access to a multimeter start checking voltages at the battery, alternator, and at the wiring to the amp. Also double check your fuse under the hood.

 

have you tried disconnecting the battery and wiring it all up, then re-connecting the battery and trying to start it?

 

I would agree. You have either an internal issue in the amplifier, you have a + wire making contact with the vehicle intermittently OR you have the power wires reversed at the amplifier. There is also a very good chance that you battery has had it's day in the sun. Disconnect the amp to voltage check the system car running and not running. If you have less than 14.4 volts while the car is running, the alternator is shot and it is not charging the battery.

 

i agree.. you have some sort of short. You don't mention if this happens when you simply connect the amp without any bass signal or if you are running the sub/amp at high power. Simply connecting power to the amp with no RCA inputs connected should NOT do this. What sort of fuse do you have inline on the positive cable?

I had an experience recently with one of our cars. The alternator was totally shorted out. Nothing in the car worked. If I disconnected the alternator power returned to the car. Seems like you have a similar problem: a short, but your fuse is not blowing. Maybe it is too high a value?

 

Okay so thanks for all of your replies. I'm sorry it's taken a while to get back to you guys. I have recently moved, so I had no wifi for a bit and a bad signal. Lol.

I lose complete power to the truck with it running as in it completely turns off and will not turn back on. When I disconnected the amp I got a little power back but not enough to start it.

There is no signal going to the amp. It's not turned up and the av isn't connected.
It was blowing 250 and 300 watt anl fuses no matter what I did. I tried Disconnecting the battery and hooking it up like that first, and that also wouldn't allow the truck to start.

So that's when I just straight wired it with the truck turned on to see if I could get power and it shuts off as soon as I put the 1/0 power wire in the amp. Again with no signal going to the amp.

 

So please confirm: the ground wire is connected from chassis to the amp.
The power wire is connected via a 200 amp or more fuse from the battery positive post to the amp. The moment you connect the positive wire to the amp, the fuse blows or the power goes out on your truck. Your amp is acting like a full short. Major catastrophic failure. Cure: fix the amp..

 

Why? why would you do that? there is more than 300amps draw (anl fuse dont go that low i think you made a typo and it was a 300amp fuse) with it just connected, its obviously a short circuit... you have fuses for a reason, and when they blow you DO NOT by-pass them... especially if you looking at 300amps, you could kill your electrical and start a fire... I think you should take it to the shop before you touch it again.... sorry man, but your work ethics are too dangerous for humanity.