Amp blows fuses

[dfoster]

I am working on my new-to-me 2004 SV211 and was trying to see if the separate amp (Kicker 350.4) was actually working.

It is connected to a Kicker sub, but the speakers had never been set up (as far as I know) by the PO.

The two 20A fuses were blown, so I got new fuses, but when I go to plug them in (with the stereo off) the fuses arc and blow as soon as I try to push them in.

The source is only showing 12.05V, and the "remote power" is at mV level, so it shouldn't be drawing anything.

Is the amp blown? What else should I test? I can pull the amp out and bench test, but if there is no load and it is blowing fuses, I would assume that there is something very wrong with the amp.

any suggestions for my next steps?

Thanks, Doug.

[Chexi]

Something is grounding. It could be the amp, but probably the wiring somewhere. Trace the wiring.

[dfoster]

I pulled the amp to bench test it. Connectd it up to a 12V battery (with a fused connector) and it immediately blows a 5A inline fuse. Nothing else was connected, just 12V and ground... so it is in the Amp.

Based on this, there is a ton of over-the-top amp setups, but is there a recommendation for a budget setup to get my stock 10" kicker sub and tower speakers working? Or something that would be a good building block for future upgrades?

I just backed into a rock and my "upgrade budget" is now pouring into a new rudder and straightened prop. :-(

[lucky7t]

Check the terminals on the amp itself. Look to see if there is a wire crossed or touching another terminal. If there isnt on the outside then its internal. If its a failed amp then it wont hurt to open it up. Look inside. Its possible that you have a dead short like Chexi was saying. Its a slim possibility but you might see something. If you open it then look close to the terminals inside.