Top 5 MISTAKES that MELT Fuse Holders!

When installing an aftermarket car audio system you need to have a fuse on the main power lead to protect the wiring and downstream amplifiers and other gear. But often times people will encounter where the fuse won't blow, but that fuse holder itself will melt and fail. Why is this? Let's discuss!

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Car Audio Fabrication – Master Car Audio – Design, Build, Install

[luchvk]

These are the type of tips that keep us out of trouble that we didn't know we could get into.

I want to mention that recently I chose an AGU fuse holder. However, it doesn't use spring clamps but the two ends tighten together. It seems like a good design for that type of fuse and I haven't have any issues with it yet. The brand is InstallBay.

[mineprixelz]

Your the one that made me buy the wire feruls and all the stuff you have omg it makes such a difference your the best audio guy on here in my opinion that has alot of great input

[frugalbassist]

If you are installing new gear and your car's battery terminal has corrosion, clean it first & replace the battery if needed. Also, check the pos. + cable by cutting back a small section of insultaion.
Battery corrosion is an insidious condition that can cause a lot of damage before it is even visible.
Mark, your advice is always spot-on and has helped my decision process on managing my new audio system from the ground up. 👍

[NTZClaw]

Thanks for all the good that you do C.A.F.

In my olds, regrettably I ran an 8 or 16ga power cable the full 15 feet, I spliced in a Max fuse within a foot of the battery. Not knowing about the big three or wiring pharaohs, plus... the system durability and efficiency suffered greatly. The fuse and box melted into a purple and black blob.

Until this day I still think back on that old install and feel pride. After 10+ years of daily play, coming in 3rd at Naff's Audio and Electronic(140+db), no Cooling in a black trunk the single amplifier system(Kickerzr120) reproduce music next to flawlessly pushing a pair of c15" subs.

[RJSDZNS]

I also use the mini anl style fuse holders from knu konceptz. I always put a lock washer on the terminals. Great video Mark. I watched your wire size video a year ago to properly do my system. Went with the kolossus ofc 1/0 gauge.

[GatorAaron]

Definitely loose connections have caused heat issues before. Good call on the dielectric grease.

May I suggest, just like other preventative maintenance, if you have modifications, you should set up periodic reminders in your phone calendar to look over your connections at least yearly if not more to avoid risk of fires or something else preventable.

[justScrollin]

Hands down you are the best in car audio installation 💯

[TehBr]

First install I had was put in by a chain store, before long I was cruising with it cranked up and it would cut out, and then a few minutes later it would come back on, eventually I popped the hood and found the fuse was super hot and the fuse itself had twisted out of the terminals. Turns out they used a regular blade fuse and small gauge wire, and the heat would force it to expand and contort, loosing contact with the terminals until it cooled down. I learned then that blade fuses are only for low-draw accessories, cable matters, and you can still suffer heat damage without the fuse blowing.

[bsams]

I think another issue is people run these 0ga power wires but do not realize that they're tiny 8-10ga factory ground is not going to be enough to support the circuit. I always use the same gauge ground as the power wire to the battery. Alot of people do not realize that.

[crisnmaryfam]

Seen quite a few in my days. Managed a VIOC and a Jiffy lube. You'd be surprised what you'll see kids do when they first get their wheels. Ive seen wires stretched across the exhaust manifold, across the catalytic converter, not an inch from the prop/drive shaft going from the engine to the back of the car. Hot and Ground wires run from brake lights. Remote wire on the starter circuit.. LED's wired backward, frying the harness behind the cluster.

[RaymondUrias]

What are your thoughts on breakers? We stopped using fuses and now use circuit breakers.

[camwalt.]

Went to comment on a recent vid, just wanted to say thank you for the content. Years of watching has given me knowledge that made making my recent system a breeze. All ct sounds: 4 strato 8s on a 2000.1 amp in a box I made with an aero port under the back seat in my 02 silverado. Also a set of 6.5 meso components for front doors on a 80.4 amp with 5.25 mesos soon to be baught for rear doors. Will be making an amp rack with a sheet of abs soon as well. Keep up the great content!

[MrAlbertLopez]

My issue according to your video, was apparently too thin of wire. Thank you for info friend.

[chrishandley]

Thank you for the info. Switching from an old glass AGU fuse block to a new ANL fuse holder fixed a random intermittent problem.

[johannjohann]

I've seen too many people not using large enough wire for their builds. When in doubt if you have the correct size wire or not, go up a size to "cya". Yes pure copper wire has become expensive, but compared to the total cost of the stereo system being installed, it really isn't that expensive to ensure your stereo works a long time & without failure. In my last install 4 Ga. wire could have worked, but did not give me much room between what the wire can handle, and how much power was needed for the amplification. So I used 2 Ga, OFC to make sure there would not be any issues. Heat is the worse thing for your stereo system, and it performing well plus giving you many years of service. Hopefully, for the life of the vehicle. And forget about CCA wire for power wire. CCA wire can be a good product for speaker wire, but it has terrible thermal ability to be power wire.

[rexracer]

What are your thoughts on fuses vs circuit breakers?

[Los]

Got a melted fuse holder rn🙃 that's why I'm here

[stuskustomshop]

Maybe I missed it, but did you mention using ferrules on your connection at the fuse block? I started doing that about 5 years ago and haven’t had a customer return with a melted fuse block since 😉

[kyle]

This is why I use ring terminals and bolted connections. Must less likely to have resistance at the connection point.

[kjay]

Yes mine ended up getting fried one day. Went to the store and they was talking about it being to close to the engine. Until i looked again and fount the same problem realizing that maybe its time that i actually invest in thicker sub wire.