Why is My Fuse Holder Melting? | Car Audio Q & A

Watch as Brendan and Allyn answer a question as to why a customers fuse holder melting.
This video is a part of our Q&A Series, be sure to check out the Q&A playlist to see them all!
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[@reyesmaravilla66]

Thanks a lot...! Yes.. that just happened to me.. cheap fuse plastic holder, .. and the wire was getting super hot also... Looking for better one now... Thanks again guys ..👍🏼👍🏼

[@GhilleGhille]

quick question. I'm running 4 gauge wire that will go into a distribution block and distribute my power into 4 gauge and 8 gauge for a Mono and 4 channel amp. The block is fused and I'm putting a 100a mini ANL on the 4 gauge, and an 80a mini ANL on the 8 gauge. What size fuse do I use for the main 4 gauge? 180a?

[@djsinnay]

what if i have a 2000 watt rms amp but the gain is only up about half way on the amp what size fuse would you reccommend? i have used 80 amps but went out twice already

[@darkharder6190]

My glass AGU fuse holder has melted the threads a little bit but it still seems to work fine. However my brothers has melted to the point where it’s not working. Didn’t know about ANL fuses and holders, still a novice at this stuff. Thanks for the advice, probably will upgrade mine as well to prevent further melting

[@MrKINKYSEX6969]

Would It hurt an amp to put thermal paste on it or would it just help keep it cooler if your bolting the amplifier down to the chassis?

[@greg0716]

Just got the prime 500.1. Have 4 gauge power wire. Will 50a fuse work?

[@ToGrimmToWin]

Ive had a 2 guage power wire for 8 months with 100amp mini anl fuse on a hifonics brx1000.1 i just hooked up a audiopipe apcl 1500.1d and installed the anl 100amp fuse holder it came the power wire gets hot going in and the metal part that clamps the wire and hold the fuse on the power in side all get hot amp is also a little bit warmer than the hifonics was

[@arisskarpetis]

Agree with the "because it's cheap" explanation. Bought myself 20 inline 5x20mm fuses to run some light fittings I made with LED strips in them. Used 10A fuses. Some days later, one of the the lights stops working. The fuse is OK but the holder has melted. On both fittings. One draws just over 9A with a 10A fuse and the other draws around 6A with a 10A fuse. The fuse holder wire was very thin and in some of them, not all the strands were crimped in the contact. I had cut the holder wire very short and spliced into my circuit thinking it would be OK but no, it wasn't. Even just 5cm on either side of the holder was too much for the current. SOLUTION? being a cheapskate and not wanting to wait for another ebay delivery, I opened one of the unused, unmelted fittings, pried opened the crimp terminals, replaced the wire with 2.5mm sq. wire like the rest of the circuit, soldered and heat-shrunk everything. Drilled the fuse holder to accommodate the thicker wire, put everything back and so far so good. The fuse holders are still cool to the touch after 6 hours of use at full brightness.

[@alexwagoner285]

This is a little unrelated to the topic, but ive had a 52 inch, 300 watt light bar on my truck for about a year and a half. The 30 amp fuse that came with the light bar melted in the fuse holder. I installed the light bar according to the manufacturers instructions, but the fuse melted! It came preinstalled in the wiring harness, and its not anywhere near the engine where it could get hot. Any ideas on what might have caused this? Its worked great until this happened about two weeks ago

[@theskinyguy]

Same problem happened to me so I got a thicker wire and a different fuse holder but my subs don't hear as good as before. Do u know Y this might of happened?

[@jamesrottweiler9328]

Hey my fuse holder melted close to the wire going in on both side but then also it happen a few days after installing a 12 volt stabilizer don't know if that had did something I put it in because my power was lacking till I added stabilizer then ran good but this happened even burn wires to a point what's your thoughts

[@bstylin90]

Hey my I have a kenwood kac7203 1000w and two 12inch mtx subs hook up and its sounds ok but when I crank it the amp basically spits the fuse out it cam with 40a fuse but I go through couple fuse a week I got a higher fuse that held for a while but then it too was spit out the they do melt but don’t blow could be my speakers are too powerful or anything like that

[@josepatino322]

Is that the same for a air bag suspension fuse it melted got a stereo fuse on it and melted my fuse holder

[@deericklocke8155]

I have a 8,000w amp what size should i use?

[@-idahos_unknown-3573]

in your guys opinion.. what type of fuse holders do you guys usually prefer to use for your installs.. I am using a maxi style with an older Fosgate mono block 350 rms @ 2 ohm.. 12' of 8 awg power and 14" for ground to this mono block amp with a 80 amp fuse... my question.. is having an 80 amp to big or too small for this set up? and if havning too big of a fuse or too small of a fuse can play a factor with amplifier performance

[@TwonTheDealer]

Thank you guys I just went through this today..... I have 2 10’ Rockville Subwoofers. With the 1000 watt Rockville amp. Bought it as a package deal came with everything. And my fuse holder just melted very very bad. The guy I had install my subs he ran the wire from the fuss box and to my fuse holder and mounted it right next to the fuse box. Came out today got in my 99 camaro subs just didn’t turn on at all. Amp has power green light comes on but very very dim. Check my fuse holder and it’s very dark burnt marks on on side and melted plastic. Definitely bought some cheap shit lmfao live and learn though .

[@nsbyband5239]

My friends truck wired by someone who we can't get ahold anyone i need help there is a big wire and a 300amp anl fuse in the clear plastic fuse box the terminal going to the battery side on the anl fuse box totally melted away but the fuse didn't blow i cracked the fuse box and put some temporary electrical tape around the whole area till i get a new fuse box and used the truck again and it melted again on the same spot it doesn't melt on the terminal side going to the lights it's basically a first responder truck with a light tower on the roof what are my options to fix the issue i tought maybe to put in a 275 amp anl fuse but i have a feeling something isn't right because it never was an issue before that at least i never saw it before that

[@anthonylockwood2129]

I have an audiopipe anl fuse and holder and it keep melting th amp is a 1500 watt audiopipe hooked up with 0/1 guage wire y is it melting

[@ChimneyMan27]

These videos are great

[@MushroomKingdoom]

I got my amplifier 15 amp fuse melted. My amp was doing like 100 rms, my car voltage had a problem wich it was delivering 15 to a 18 volts to my amp. It survived but the fuse got just melted but not broken

[@devintell7472]

Do anyone know why my fuse holder doest get any power when I try to test it ? I test the fuse its not blown my fuse holder doest have power only in 1 row

[@DanaCasey01]

See Buick Lucerne electrical problems - it is the fuse box that melts! Care to do another video on this issue?

[@chevycaprice8956]

Will a melted fuse holder make the amp go in protection mode when the bass hit

[@ricardogaribay1991]

Hey that’s Alan from soundman he use to work for Doug Bernards one of California’s best car audio installer. Maybe US best installer.

[@Aunkownperson1]

Question i am planing on wiring up a 4 channel 500 watt amp to my existing setup which consist of a 500watt mono block fosgate amp running 4 gauge power wire to it. Would i be able to use the same 4 gauge power wire going to that amp to power the other amp or would i need to run another 4 gauge wire?

[@sagemuffin]

not recommended, but 8 gauge would work just fine for a 500w 4 channel amp

[@ghislainpitre7899]

If I got me an 8000 watt rms amp then where can I get an 800 amp fuse?

[@trancemaster420]

what size ANL fuse is recommended for 1700 rms? i blew a 100a agu tonight ,my first by the way. i was really pushing the sub then it blew! No!!! lol

[@williamcurtis6242]

So i melted my 250 amp anl fuse holder and i dont know what else to use?

[@dennissecor8092]

I have an 01 express van, with a 1000 watt, inverter, and it stopped working, and I traced it back to the anl fuse holder, that melted, I used 2 awg wire, I actually, Vought a 1500 watt amp kit, I figured it would be great, but it only lasted about 6 months, I know your talking about car amps, I did use a anl fuse holder, so I'm guessing, I should go to a circuit breaker?

[@RealRoCKoFF]

Hey can u fuse ur power wier any where it got be near battery I was thinking of wiering it not to far from my amplifier beed help any one answer lot heat under my hood I know I worded this werid but I'm talking about my fuse any where on power wiere

[@mfrancis706]

Hi Guys, Within you vast experience is there any advice you can give me for installing a double 10" sub box and a 1500w amp via a LC2i, to a 2015 4 Series BMW convertible. Plus If the amp has 2-40 amp fuses on it, do you still suggest I have another in-line fuse between the amp and the battery? if so what ampage? Essentially i'm looking for, good grounding points, direction of sub box, and any do's and don'ts i should be aware of before installation. Anything you suggest would be most appreciated.

[@renaissancedragon4636]

If I knew you better I'd say "O_O duh" but since I don't I'll say yes you need to fuse that large wire going to your power source on your vehicle which by the way is loaded with tens of thousands worth of computers which rely on that stable unabused power source. 4 Series: $43,000 Fuse: $4.3 Fuses are a safety device to protect your investment which could be, and usually is, tied to your livelihood.

[@KevinBorlandMusic]

I've got the same problem in my '89 Camaro on the fuel pump fuse/holder since we rerouted the fan onto that circuit. I'll be troubleshooting it tomorrow.

[@justabouthadit5872]

Trouble shoot?? You just said the problem!! Hook your pump to a relay, smart guy. The systems are separated for a reason. Car fires are the reason!! Watch a video on how to install a relay. And don't mess with your fuse box. Hope you got it going tho.

[@ajzuniga1985]

I also have the same problem with my setup, I have a Audiopipe APMI-1500 connected with a DB Link fuse holder n 100a fuse on 4awg wire (witch is the minimum amount that states I can use). One side of the holder (the holder is made of clear plastic with gold plated terminals) started to overheat with the wire, (from the battery to the holder) n melted one side of the fuse holder n blow the 100a anl fuse. What can I do to fix it so it cant happen again?

[@deonte2x809]

Agustin Jaime Zuñiga Perez did you ever figure this out I’m having the same exact problem in my dodge challenger

[@REALTOMRAMEN]

Meee too

[@deonte2x809]

Brian Hosey pretty sure I fixed my problem turn your amp down for 1 I know you want as much bass as possible but just turn it down a little bit and check all your connections mine was a loose terminal coming from the battery causing it to short out

[@305chevyboysp6]

i had da same problem yesterday with my pastic fuse box melted i have 8000 wattt amp on a 250fuse. what is a good fuse holder to get so it wont melt again

[@TE5LA-GAMING]

305chevyboys p 8000 watts :)

[@Kevin-lp3pu]

I did the big 3 upgrade and the fuse from the alternator to the battery 250amp melted and caused a short in the system. My stock wire from my alternator to my battery has a fuse that's why I used a fuse with the upgrade to. If you guys have a recommendation for wire and a fuse please put a link for it with your response. Thank you!

[@Kevin-lp3pu]

Also I have a 90 amp alternator and my car is a 2001 ford Taurus lx

[@jessever3655]

Hey guys, quick question. I have a 3500rms amp, it does not have a built in fuse. In the manual it says i need to fuse it with 300amp anl fuse. The amp has 1 set of 0 awg inputs for both power and ground. I have 0awg ofc copper cable.I bought a powerblock that takes 2x0awg cable and reduces it to 1x0awg for in the amp. This so that the amp gets easier power. Now do i fuse the amp and cable with 2x300amp anl fuses or do i fuse it with 2x150amp fuses? Dont know if the current gets halved because i am running 2 runs of cable to the amp. Please help me out

[@sherryali1853]

jesse ver 2 150amps

[@christophermccrum3034]

jesse ver are u running two power wires and two grounds I have a large system and I run 4 power 1/0 wire to two amps then two ground wires

[@sarssars-hm2ox]

3 times my fuse blows at low volume. We are upgrading to zero gauge wire I don't think it needs it. Could it be cause my settings are to high or good. I don't think so but . When they blow it's very random. When I'm on the high way I turn down the bass in the streets I turn it up good but never to load. Help until it's to late 😕😂😥

[@joshuagilman5721]

Are ANL Fuses standard? Can you use any ANL fuse in the different brands of Fuse blocks? Thx!

[@joseluisruiz3789]

Yep. The ANL Fuse Go As Low As 50 Amps And As High As 600 Amps. Just make sure you have a Thick Enough Power Wire Going from your battery to your amps and this Melting thing Wont Happen To You. 😎👊

[@davishughes233]

Literally had this exact same thing happen to me, exactly how you said it in the video. The people who did my wiring ran 8 gauge wire for my 2 12" Kenwood subs and a 1,000 watt Kenwood amp and my fuse holder melted to shit on the live side.. Same thing happened to my friend but he had so much corrosion on his battery terminals that it caused the same thing to happen. Anyone know a good fuse holder they can link me too? I'm running it myself this time with 4 gauge power wire.

[@sarssars-hm2ox]

On my Subaru it melted I could have been a loose connection cause it hasn't done it again. Been like 5 years. Same brand and everything glass fuse. On my jimmy melted we blamed it on just the amount of heat in that area of the engine bay. Plus maybe we need thicker wire 😕

[@portmurphy1]

Thanks

[@1moetime123]

I have a 750 fosgate punch on 4 gauge wire with a fuse that has 150 on it. STILL melted. Do I need to upgrade to 2 or 1 gage wire? I’m only running 1 P3 fosgate 12

[@1moetime123]

What fuse “box” (lol) should I use? As far as brand and voltage size. Thanks in advance

[@SonicElectronix]

The 4 gauge amp kit is the recommended accessory with that amp, if fuses are melting you probably have some other issue going on

[@ZarifAhmed]

How to properly run my speaker wire from my doors to my 4 channel amp in my trunk?

[@justabouthadit5872]

Bruh, your wires are supposed to be hooked to the SPEAKERS, not the doors.

[@FesterandMidnight]

Quick question... My battery randomly dies as I am driving and the car actually dies with it. Ive replaced the battery2 times and tested my alternator. Any advice would help. Its a 98 mustang v6

[@anthonylockwood2129]

Add in a capacitor it helped in my 93 paseo the alternator cant keep up with wut the amp is pulling

[@kkiidd77]

No, don’t add a cap. UPGRADE your alternator to recharge more power. It’s not the battery necessarily

[@brianbutler6401]

I have a 1994 Chevrolet 1500 my wire to my dash light and my running tail lights it keeps melting my fuse idk y ever time I put a new fuse in it Pop's automatically I even got new switch and it still does it

[@justabouthadit5872]

I know why it keeps popping fuses and melting!!! Because there's A SHORT somewhere....

[@anubisprince36]

1/0 and circuit breaker works wonders.

[@mae6683]

lol Thanks guys!

[@dansal3286]

I have an a question, i have changed by ground to a 4 gauge however the holder still gets extremely hot. I have never had this problem before untill one day my holder melted and i had it replaced.

[@dansal3286]

dan sal my Amp goes into safe mode sometimes or does not turn on at all.

[@vermili0138]

+dan sal What's the rating of the fuse?

[@CarAudioInc]

I heard that Allyn's the power top in the relationship.

[@MrCheckmate305]

How to take the plastic cover off to change the fuse

[@markgtsk]

Hey guys I was gonna put a system in my truck but wanted to keep the factory radio. What's your opinion on line converters to add an amp for subs. Is the bass quality and sound as good as actual rca jacks from an aftermarket radio

[@worksmagic89]

Why would you wanna keep a factory radio? The aftermarket radio will be stronger depending on how loud you want it and you will probably have better control over your bass level highs, mids and etc......

[@worksmagic89]

By the way if your stock radio don't have rca jacks they have something I think its called an adapter but you wont need rca cables to connect to radio they just hook up the adapter from rear deck speaker to your subs/amp. I had one put in before I bought my aftermarket radio.

[@markgtsk]

worksmagic89 my truck stereo already has Bluetooth iPod connections and aux

[@worksmagic89]

markgtsk oh i see

[@PDPIE1029]

An LOC is an okay option. As long as you're not going for SQ competition or something. I do suggest getting a new head unit if you can though.

[@antwalk7772]

Rockville glass fuse holder melted on my rp1500.1 I advise stay away from the glass fuse.

[@davidtucker4921]

my anl fuse holder melted today i got to see what happen i know some of the wire is melted too

[@renneangelromeo]

This just happened to me. The shop is guessing my amp or subs are possibly going bad. Is this a possibility? Still have to take it in to them.

[@Sixspeed54]

ill state of mine , it’s not ur amp or subs . Just go get a new fuse holder and check your grounds . That’s it don’t listen to them don’t buy another sub or anything else .

[@jeffreyallen3796]

The wire is drawing to much power!! And you need a Bigger wire and bigger fuses.

[@RealRoCKoFF]

Can u put ur fuse any where on amp power wier or dose it have be closer to battery I need help I think be less heat ?

[@turtle2448thomas]

My system melted the fuse holder 10 minutes after I dropped it down from 4 to 2ohms. I made sure my amp can handle it, which it can. It was one of those water resistant set screw type of fuses. What caused it to do that? Bad quality fuse or ???

[@thump3r]

i noticed also different quality of fuse holder used will melt easier then others. if you pulling a lot of power buy a quality fuse holder that has thick metal connections that can support the current without heating up, correct size wires and a fuse thats is equal to the fuses all your amps use. also a high voltage drop with melt these fuse holders bc of higher current load causing more heat. so try a big 3 upgrade also.

[@turtle2448thomas]

Troy Amhaz It was just a bad quality fuse

[@jeanious2009]

Simple answer....BECAUSE IT'S CHEAP!!! LOL!!

[@kyreerobinson7201]

I had the fuse holder melt on me twice. Once it was because the person helping me decided to put duck tape strapping the plastic cover and bottom piece together because of it being loose. DONT DO THAT. USE ELECTRICAL TAPE IF U USE ANY TAPE AND DO NOTTT COVER THE BOTTOM PIECES WHERE U SEE THE BOLTS FROM THE BOTTOM. The second time it was because on the fuse holder on the bottom where u see the two bolts or screws there was like a gel piece covering both of them. TAKE THOSE OFF AND MAKE SURE U SEE THEM. DO NOT LEAVE THEM ON THERE. Learn from my mistakes.

[@akamusuapaia9542]

One more reason of melting fuse boxes is sometimes having too small of a fuse . Yup . I have experienced the same problem in my car. Upgraded a bigger amp but forgot to upgrade the fuse and a month later . Sounds stopped working and there it was . A toasted fuse box . xD

[@TE5LA-GAMING]

Akamu Suapaia the fuse would blow.

[@studthegullygod]

Great 👍🏾 @djstuddatl approved

[@jacobwatson7774]

Could this cause the protection light to come on for the amp?

[@ethanchampagne6453]

Yes lol.

[@minecraftlegoboy227]

yeah my fuse holder did that too.

[@livingonadollar2882]

Most Solder is made from Tin ..Tin compared to pure copper is 5 times resistant If your pushing high amount of power in a smaller gauge wire Your hot point will be at that solder line Also Solder tends to break down after time with high and low temps and forms cracks this will also arc ..You will notice many car makers do not use soldered connections on wiring Nor do pro audio installers If your Fuse holder has it .. trash it

[@Therabbitking]

My amp fuse box melted 4 times :(

[@305chevyboysp6]

im uses @ 0 gauge wire

[@juanmilligan9055]

What you think about an fuse

[@robertcriswell8403]

Ok why does my amp play good for 20-30 mins then start making a popping noise it's a 3000 watt brutuz hifonics amp

[@magnadeuce2844]

Robert Criswell from what i understand is Brutus amps draw hella power and that the can drain you’re battery, we used to hook them up with only good accessories (wires bolts etc.)

[@jermaine72able]

Mine was a faulty amplifier

[@erikaoviedo934]

Will 150 amp anl fuse work with 8 gauge power cable?

[@jonathanschultz2472]

Mine melted... Would it be because my ground wire kept getting in connected? I finally fixed it but the holder melted

[@jonathanschultz2472]

*unconnected

[@bensopjani6868]

How did you fix it? I have the ground melting my box number 2. Fuse appears to be too small. Seen others with a bigger fuse but I'm not certain.

[@veibing1671]

My fuse melt down Help me

[@JJ_Geek]

I have a 1500w monoblock class D skar audio amp that burnt up the plastic holder for a 100 amp fuse… oops…

[@MrLumpy-xe6bv]

Every time I turn on my amp the fuses pop

[@RealRoCKoFF]

Dont use fuse what I've done past never had problems done for years but got make sure ur stuff connected real good ur amp u be good cheaper never have worry about fuse buddy cut end where fuse box is spice wiere connect togather put electrical tape I good go brother keep banging

[@sagemuffin]

@@RealRoCKoFF damn, thats a hot mess of word diarrhea, maybe it's time to go back to school dude....

[@RealRoCKoFF]

@@sagemuffin I got it fix now I had it all re done with thicker wire gauges biG difference shit pounding I Got just basic crunch amp 1000watts stable at 2ohm wit 2 12 Boss Extremes chaos 1200max power with tuch screen Boss that's pushing 400watts to yeah so in good now fuse I Got now is 150 fuse so if I ever want up my watts on a new amp I can go up to about 4000watts with that 150fuse

[@chupamishuevos303]

because is hot there i answer the damn simple question lol

[@rodpalm6398]

Resistance = heat, poor connections will cause this and you can only pull so much though a soldered fuse. You guys do realize that some of your own wiring kits come with cheap ass glass fuses.

[@michaelpwaslki8]

Just had mine melt today n it all makes since was running 4g on 4K power 🤣

[@albackwardz]

LMFAO

[@incognitomillennial817]

So you dis on AGU glass fuses and holders.. yet sell them on your website with your logo right under them??? 🤔👌😂

[@marco77ar]

I gotta deal with this in the morning....This system stuff requires maintenance. I hadn't had a system in a good while. These new multicolored fluorescent POS amplifier kits suck. They're cheap, and, we are using a considerable amount MORE power than even 10 years ago... Plastic tube fuse holders, that are threaded on both sides....suck.....had way better luck with these block in line fuse holders...with " maxi "wtf" fusees". I have to replace one in a few hours....( The tube fuse thing....) Ok, yeah...I actually watched the whole thing....cool.

[@RealRoCKoFF]

Yeah I dont use one after if my sound do this long everything hook up good power not getting hot couse of cheap china products this came with my amp when order it offline like 6 months ago I just took off I said in I'm not going to get nother fuse done it in past never had problem system out lived the cars lol no problem when didnt use one I know say u should but funny never had fiere only had fiere with fuses I wonder lol

[@godashin1830]

no no no its not the holder its the actual fuse box, where you plug in the 20 amp fuse

[@fikmedazeohmyfattun5660]

wrap it in tungsten foil ftw

[@markellis4229]

Lol 😂

[@timwilcox41]

Way is my power getting hot

[@ModestConfidence]

"Yeh and dont mount ur fuse holder next to ur exhaust manifold" hahaha- there ya go, problem solved. lmao

[@mattypisme]

blowed

[@sIpoolguy]

I have an anl fuse holder and the plastic on the fuse melted- you guys don't have answers.. so stop acting mighty. It makes people not want to ask you for help.

[@gubourn]

Get to the point would you

[@hilltop985]

Allyn u stole the format from soundman... u and Doug started soundman q&a that's fucked up

[@chicagobleek]

He is actually staying true to the ORIGINAL Soundman format before the $$$$$ started playing a big part in how Soundman has fallen off. (as far as KZbin goes that is)