Maximum power versus continuous power and fuses
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From: Salem
Maximum power versus continuous power and fuses
I am confused about a few things here regarding required fuse amperage for my audio system. I have a Clarion XC2510 5 channel amplifier. Four 50 watt Clarion speakers are connected to it, and a 50 watt Alpine Bass Shaker on the fifth channel.
This amplifier is advertised as 700 watts of "maximum power", yet it's root mean sqaure of 'continuous' is 50 watts X 4 and 200 watts X 1; all at 4 ohms. --Though the one is no more than 50 watts. So, in all actuality, it is really operating at 250 watts, not 700. No where near 700.
Per basic calculations of 250 watts divided by 14 volts operating voltage, it would seem that this system would need about an 18 ampere fuse. And that continuous power is based off of gains properly being set per instruction, and an average volume setting of 25%; and hardly driving the Bass Shaker.
But, in all actuality, this amplifier came with two power wires, having one 40 ampere fuse on each wire. Therein 'requiring' a total of 80 amperes. Now whether clarion calculated with 700 watts or 400, they would get no where near needing that many amperes.
So, in going with the C E A Compliant power ratings of 50 watts X 4 and 200 watts X 1 at 4 ohms for all 5 speakers, Clarion is grossly incorrect in their chosen 80 total ampere fuse requirement. Even the power wires the fuses are on, are smaller wire than 8 gauge, which based on wire gauge alone; whatever size they are, 40 amperes is overkill.
I haven't changed anything yet, so as it is, this supposed 700 watt system, has two 40 ampere fuses on the power line, which itself is less than 3 feet long; going into a distribution block also having two 40 ampere fuses. The single output wire from the block is an 8 gauge wire, of about 7 feet in length, going directly to the battery....
I am very tempted though to change the fuses on the power line and in the distribution block, to better match calculations based off the C E A Compliant 4 ohm ratings.
So, would I be safe, based on the 250 watts divided by 14 volts calculation of my really needing a total fuse rating of 18 amperes, instead of the ridiculous 80?
This amplifier is advertised as 700 watts of "maximum power", yet it's root mean sqaure of 'continuous' is 50 watts X 4 and 200 watts X 1; all at 4 ohms. --Though the one is no more than 50 watts. So, in all actuality, it is really operating at 250 watts, not 700. No where near 700.
Per basic calculations of 250 watts divided by 14 volts operating voltage, it would seem that this system would need about an 18 ampere fuse. And that continuous power is based off of gains properly being set per instruction, and an average volume setting of 25%; and hardly driving the Bass Shaker.
But, in all actuality, this amplifier came with two power wires, having one 40 ampere fuse on each wire. Therein 'requiring' a total of 80 amperes. Now whether clarion calculated with 700 watts or 400, they would get no where near needing that many amperes.
So, in going with the C E A Compliant power ratings of 50 watts X 4 and 200 watts X 1 at 4 ohms for all 5 speakers, Clarion is grossly incorrect in their chosen 80 total ampere fuse requirement. Even the power wires the fuses are on, are smaller wire than 8 gauge, which based on wire gauge alone; whatever size they are, 40 amperes is overkill.
I haven't changed anything yet, so as it is, this supposed 700 watt system, has two 40 ampere fuses on the power line, which itself is less than 3 feet long; going into a distribution block also having two 40 ampere fuses. The single output wire from the block is an 8 gauge wire, of about 7 feet in length, going directly to the battery....
I am very tempted though to change the fuses on the power line and in the distribution block, to better match calculations based off the C E A Compliant 4 ohm ratings.
So, would I be safe, based on the 250 watts divided by 14 volts calculation of my really needing a total fuse rating of 18 amperes, instead of the ridiculous 80?
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