Circuit breaker or fuse

[543_Dallas]

Just because you've been doing it for years doesn't make it a good idea. If you're worried about losing 2 watts from voltage drop bypass the fuse at the amp and put one at the battery. There's no reason for 2 on a dedicated circuit.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/.../fhac2bp/4414528/2017/dodge/challenger?pos=14

 

[Ziploc]

Ok

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

The big thing about a fuse at the battery (or breaker) it that it will keep the vehicle from burning down in the event of an accident. If there is an auxiliary battery in the back of the vehicle, it would also need to be fused there too.

Back in the day when I was a car stereo installer, we had a Toyota 4 Runner come in. We built a tunnel for four 18s and it took up the whole back end. It had two Optima batteries, one in the front and one in the back by the amp rack. I explained this same scenario to the head installer and the store manager. The extra expense of a circuit breaker at the back battery is cheap insurance to keep the vehicle from burning down in the event of an accident.

Four months later the guy was T boned at an intersection by some one running the red light. Nobody was hurt and the circuit breakers did their job. The roll back brought it to the shop so we could remove the gear. The rear fender pushed in and pinched the cable when the wheel well folded up against it.

Please don't feel we are bashing you, I have been here a few short years and I have learned a lot.
Chris

 

[2NC995]

If you're fused at the device then there is no protection for the wiring.

 

[2NC995]

Yes , you think everyone uses a inline fuse ? I never have been in the hobby since 95’

Your observation is certainly not incorrect. Lots of folks do this.

 

[Handy Andy]

 

[Tallman]

If you're fused at the device then there is no protection for the wiring.

I bought some cables to install higher draw radios and the fuses were set up on the wrong end of the cables. 16 feet of UN-protected wire laid out in channels with sharp edges. 16 feet of wire on fire wire where no extinguisher can get to it usually means total loss of the vehicle.

Edit: I flipped the cable around and re headed the cables. now only 12'" of cable unprotected. One of the technicians of the an car audio store was laughing at the way I had the fuses up close to the battery. The ruckus brought the store owner over. He said to his technicians from now on I want you to wire all new installs this way.
He topped it off with,, "Billy your new car would still be here instead of burned to the ground."

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

I bought some cables to install higher draw radios and the fuses were set up on the wrong end of the cables. 16 feet of UN-protected wire laid out in channels with sharp edges. 16 feet of wire on fire wire where no extinguisher can get to it usually means total loss of the vehicle.

Edit: I flipped the cable around and re headed the cables. now only 12'" of cable unprotected. One of the technicians of the an car audio store was laughing at the way I had the fuses up close to the battery. The ruckus brought the store owner over. He said to his technicians from now on I want you to wire all new installs this way.
He topped it off with,, "Billy your new car would still be here instead of burned to the ground."

Those guys were not technicians. They were simply stereo installers. REAL techs would have done it the right way the first time. LOL.

 

[Tallman]

Those guys were not technicians. They were simply stereo installers. REAL techs would have done it the right way the first time. LOL.

A real technician would not work in a CHIT CHOP like that one!

 

[Handy Andy]

He topped it off with,, "Billy your new car would still be here instead of burned to the ground."

Helps prove one of Murphy's many laws...

"...The most Expen$ive part will protect the 2 cent fuse...

... By blowing first."​

 

[Shockwave]

If you don't care enough about your vehicle to install fuses in the proper locations, take a moment and think about all of the important places you park that car at and what a fire there could do...

 

[9C1Driver]

If you're fused at the device then there is no protection for the wiring.

Good point. I prefer to have a fuse right at the battery and then a second at the amp/radio in the car. I think he should choose the fuse size as close to what that amp needs but no more. For example if his amp draws say16 amps then a 30 amp fuse is way too big and his amp will cook by the time the fuse blows. Good information on this thread.