Expert: Cleggsan - 7/17/2009

Question
i have a rockford amp and it keeps blowing my fuses. i thought maybe my subs were wired wrong but i un hooked them from the amp and it still blows the fuses every time i give the amp power. the amp did get hot but it should go to protect mode and stop working so no damage is done. but i have no idea why they keep blowning

Answer
Here is my suggestion:

(I assume you are using the right fuse? If it is too low in amp rating it could blow from transient turn on surge.)

ONE:  Pull the 12v wires off the amp so it has no power.  Does it still blow fuses?  If so, it is a short in the wiring ahead of the amp. The amp is not part of the problem.

TWO:  Now connect only the constant 12v line, do not connect the remote turn on line.  Does it blow the fuse now?  If it does, the amp has a short circuit in power supply circuitry.

THREE:  If no fuse blowing with only the 12v battery, then connect the 12v remote turn-on line - but with no signal/audio being fed into it.  If no blow, then turn up the audio slowly to see if/when it blows the fuse.

COMMENTS:  If the fuse goes quickly with or without audio then the amp is in trouble. The problem is most likely the internal power supply circuitry.  And, you are correct that the protection circuit should cut in - but if the amp is defective it will not function properly.

Hope this helps you find the solution.

C