(3) 20 amp fuses blown... why?

YO-EL · 07-28-2003, 07:03 AM

Lets hear thoughts on why 1 of my Zapco amps has blown 3 20 amp fuses.

Did this about 1 year ago too.

Shop said something about long idling periods?

I do race my car, and can sit in line with the engine on for about 10 mins, but I don't buy it..

Something else is making it spike I'm assuming.

Any thoughts?

Conquer · 07-28-2003, 08:41 AM

Quote:

...Shop said something about long idling periods?

Ah.... not :nonod: :rolleyes:

YO-EL · 07-28-2003, 08:55 AM

Let me also add that when this happened it was after a long hot day at the track, this past Sat, and also last year. Temps were 95 and I got in about 16 runs. I do listen to the radio to hear the track calls.

Anything up with running my car hard to affect this?

Al '92 · 07-28-2003, 04:33 PM

Hmm, basic reason for blowing fuses is drawing current over the rated amount, could your power lead have a rubbed spot on it and be grounding out? That's the first thing I would look for. I've had that happen before.

YO-EL · 07-28-2003, 05:38 PM

I'm thinking something more internal, something either in the amp itself, or possibly a shorted out voice coil in one of the speakers, where the 2 sides of the coil are intermittently touching each other...?

In any event, they are doing the diagnostic on Wed.

They should get it, as this shop is top notch... Will post the results.

Ellis

Kale · 07-28-2003, 05:40 PM

Maybe there's a short internal to the amplifier. Does it seem to get unusually hot?

YO-EL · 07-28-2003, 06:10 PM

Not sure bro... Its behind the drivers seat on the deck.
2 fans in it, never felt it......

The amp on the right side is fine... I'm leaning towards a blown speaker or internal amp issue. Before I noticed no bottom end from the blown fuses, I was thinking one of the high might be blown on the left side speaker since it sounded a little, well, not as sharp or as crisp as the right side..

Will post the results on Wed/Thurs.

YO-EL · 08-01-2003, 08:13 AM

Results:

After checking the power wires, wires to the sub, the sub itself, with voltage, continuity, & ampre meters, all check out normal.

They played the system for 45 minutes, with meters in line, no problems.

Played the sub by itself for 45 minutes, no problems.

To take the "fault" out of the mix, the changed out the amp, thinking it could be some type of internal issue.

So basically, if no fuses blow again say in the next month or 2, they will send the original amp into warranty repair.

If I do have a problem, then its not the amp, and they will go further.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the amp was the issue, and I will not have any more problems in the future.

Ellis

JoeyG · 08-01-2003, 05:29 PM

I had a Zapco Studio 150 that acted funny like yours. Ended up being a bad power cap soldering joints on the printed circuit board. Very erratic problem, finally got bored and took the damn thing apart.

YO-EL · 08-02-2003, 06:30 PM

Well, I will mention that to the shop, but for now, no issues with the new amp they installed. They are holding off sending mine in for service until we see if the problems occur with this amp.

If no problems, then they will send it in for service.

If fuses blow with this new amp after awhile, well, then, Houston, we got problems! :lol: (hope not though!)