Fuse for the radio

[bmxrider]

on the fuse box, i have a 20 amp fuse for the radio. is it possible that i could replace it with a 30 amp fuse or is it too much? thanks. james

[bfarroo]

I'd stay away from fusing anything larger than what the fuse box calls for. The wiring is sized to be able to deliver that amount of current. If you start trying to carry more power than the wire can handle you have the possibility of starting the wire on fire. althought it would likely not happen since it's not that big of a jump I don't like to risk it. If your radio needs more power run a direct power wire from the battery fused within 18 inches of the battery. Also as far as I can remember the radio gets its power from the constant power wire which should be the same power that the cigarette lighter is fed from and labeled in the fuse box. The fuse labled for the radio is just used to turn the radio on and off.

Good luck,


Benji Farr
Green Bay WI
87 Shelby Z TII 15.2 @ 90.7
88 Shelby Z TI 2.2 auto
91 Shelby TI 2.5 5spd
http://bfarroo.tripod.com
http://www.extremepsi.org

[bmxrider]

the head unit gives out good power to the 6 1/2's i have in the rear and you can feel the bass. i was wondering if i could give the head unit a bit more power. i'll just leave it the way it is now. thanks for the info. james

[bfarroo]

Chances are you won't gain a whole lot by running a larger power wire to the deck. The only way to really get more power is to go with an external amp. I competed in USAC sound quality for a few years and also was a MECP installer at a stereo shop. By going with a external amp you are able to run the speakers louder and cleaner without distortion. Also if you think about it how can a deck really have 50 or 60 watts with the size of it. My 50x4 amp is over a foot long. Stereo manufacturers tend to be misleading in their power measurement to sell their product. If your looking for a better/louder sound I'd recomend adding an amp and/or upgrading your speaker depending on what you have. If not leave the fusing and wiring how they are. I don't think you'll really gain anything unless your currently haveing problems blowing the main fuse. Then running a new power wire may be an option.

Good luck,


Benji Farr
Green Bay WI
87 Shelby Z TII 15.2 @ 90.7
88 Shelby Z TI 2.2 auto
91 Shelby TI 2.5 5spd
http://bfarroo.tripod.com
http://www.extremepsi.org

[bmxrider]

whats the max. wattage you can get for 6 1/2 speakers? i used to have an array of 4 12's in the back and i decided that i want to make a fast car so i had to loose them. they sounded sweet though. james

[bfarroo]

I'd imagine that you can find speakers that will handle 75 watts or more depending on what you want to spend. To get the best sound you need to match the speakers wattage rating to what you plan on running them with. If your going to run the speakers off the deck a pair of 100 watt speakers wouldn't sound the greatest since you don't have enought power to run them. I would look for a 2 or 3way speaker or else a component set if you want to spend the big bucks. For door speakers I really like ones that you can point the tweeter up towards your ear instead of the side of your leg. If your looking for bass it's going to be hard to get much from a 6.5 especially if your use to 4 12's. My show car has a complete system in it with 4inch components in the kickpanels, 6inch components in the doors and 5x7 2ways with directional tweeters in the rear. 3 12inch subs along with all custom panels. It definitely adds the weight if your looking for a fast car, but I love the sound it has. It reminds me everytime I take it for a ride after driving my 88 for a while. You could always trade off for something inbetween. I think my daily driver is going to get a 10 or a 12 in a small sealed box. Just something to fill in the bottom end. Also if it's in a removable box it's easy to leave home if your going to the track or racing the car.

Good luck,


Benji Farr
Green Bay WI
87 Shelby Z TII 15.2 @ 90.7
88 Shelby Z TI 2.2 auto
91 Shelby TI 2.5 5spd
http://bfarroo.tripod.com
http://www.extremepsi.org

[munozj001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bfarroo Also if it's in a removable box it's easy to leave home if your going to the track or racing the car. Good luck, Benji Farr Green Bay WI 87 Shelby Z TII 15.2 @ 90.7 88 Shelby Z TI 2.2 auto 91 Shelby TI 2.5 5spd http://bfarroo.tripod.com http://www.extremepsi.org

I have the stock speakers and a removable box with a pair of 10s for that same reason.

going up to Greenbay in my CSX this weekend maybe i will see you (or hear you) on main or mason..

[bmxrider]

i thought about having a removable box but its goin to be heavy since i made a new box for only 2 12's and for the amp.

[bfarroo]

The weight of the stereo equipment adds up quick. I've been meaning to weigh my car to see how much It's gained. What sucks is that my 87 is the fastest of my cars but probably weighs the most also. I'd guess a good 200 pounds in stereo equipment/boxes. It would be kind of cool to have a box with the amp built in and a quick disconnect to unplug the box and pull it out.

[Chadxton]

There is no head unit that puts out enough power to require a 20 amp fuse.

The stock radio fuse should be only 10 amp. Mind you, if you have an aftermarket deck and the decks' harness has a 15 or 20 amp fuse, you can change the fuse in the fuse box to whatever it is.
---------------------------

Bah, I would add 200 pounds to my car to have my audio. The biggest weight adder is MDF. Understandably MDF is pretty much the best material acoustically to build boxes with, but it's heavy.

As far as quick disconnects though, they have them for power and ground, but they're costly. Someone like me doesn't like having to spend an hour to rip out 2 amp racks and a sub enclosure. I built mine to stay put.

[bmxrider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chadxton There is no head unit that puts out enough power to require a 20 amp fuse. The stock radio fuse should be only 10 amp. Mind you, if you have an aftermarket deck and the decks' harness has a 15 or 20 amp fuse, you can change the fuse in the fuse box to whatever it is. --------------------------- Bah, I would add 200 pounds to my car to have my audio. The biggest weight adder is MDF. Understandably MDF is pretty much the best material acoustically to build boxes with, but it's heavy. As far as quick disconnects though, they have them for power and ground, but they're costly. Someone like me doesn't like having to spend an hour to rip out 2 amp racks and a sub enclosure. I built mine to stay put.

go to radioshack and get end terminals so your box and amp will be removable. good ol' radioshack.

[Chadxton]

I'm talking about power and ground connects that power the amplifier, not speaker output terminal cups. I don't have need for terminal cups with an invert mounted sub.

[bfarroo]

Yeah mine's built to stay put also.

http://bfarroo.tripod.com/id3.html


Benji Farr
Green Bay WI
87 Shelby Z TII 15.2 @ 90.7
88 Shelby Z TI 2.2 auto
91 Shelby TI 2.5 5spd
http://bfarroo.tripod.com
http://www.extremepsi.org

[bmxrider]

i like your setup....also the tweeters and the mids on the floor...pretty sweet.