I've searched and most of my questions are answered, but I want to make sure im correct and i have a few questions aswell.
Im about to buy an amp and 2 12in subs. I want to make sure im clear on how to install.
I already have an RCA cable running to the trunk(previous car owner left it there for me) and its running along the right side, so thats fine..let me go threw how I think it should be installed and I need to know what im missing/doing wrong.
1.Mount the amp to back of backseat
2.Disconnect the negative battery cable
3.Run the power wire from the positive wire threw the metal area infront of dash and down and then along left side of car to trunk
Thats what ive got so far
As far as the fuse is(with the 6-12 inch rule) where is this supposed to be mounted?!?! is it supposed to sit on top of the battery? or what?
As far as the power cable goes, once connected, it shouldnt lay on top of engine parts correct? It should go down in between them and threw the metal area that leads into the dash?
What is the remote turn on lead? does it come with a wiring kit, where does it go?
As far as grounding, I know there is a ground wire...that should run from the amp to.....? the metal underneath the carpet?
Thats basically it, see I know what wires and all I need, I just dont know how to do a few or feel a bit sketchy on a few of em. Any help would be highly appreciated
Thanks
-Justin
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Install help
Amp wiring 101: for the first time installer
-First and always, unhook the neg. battery cable
-Power wire to fuse 6-15" pending gauge (size) of wire and application
-With fuse removed, install fuse box (holder) in a easy access location (i.e. firewall, inner fender well, front bracing), you may have to swap the fuse later.
-Run the power wire through the engine compartment and through the firewall (keeping it away from any moving components, zip ties are great for this), you may have to drill a hole if you cannot find grommet
-If drilling, use another grommet and apply silicone before installing grommet to prevent rusting around hole
-Under the dash find a location to run the wire under the carpet (usually down one side of the car and then around or under the back seat (if applicable)...side note: back seat removal may be needed
-Run RCA's and remote wire from head unit behind the dash and under your carpet in similar fashion as power wire keeping it 18" or more away from power wire (don't let them cross either), this is where it is usually safe to run these wires on opposite side of vehicle
-Mount your Amp in an easily accessable place (you'll need this for tuning)
-Find a grounding source within 18" of the amp (make sure this is a good ground, something on the frame or close proximity)... side note: clean ground, remove all piant!
-Wire all leads (Power, Ground, Remote, Rcas) to amp
-Wire speaker wire to speakers or speaker terminals
-Install fuse under hood
-connect battery neg
-Tune as needed for optimum sound performance
Hope this helps
-First and always, unhook the neg. battery cable
-Power wire to fuse 6-15" pending gauge (size) of wire and application
-With fuse removed, install fuse box (holder) in a easy access location (i.e. firewall, inner fender well, front bracing), you may have to swap the fuse later.
-Run the power wire through the engine compartment and through the firewall (keeping it away from any moving components, zip ties are great for this), you may have to drill a hole if you cannot find grommet
-If drilling, use another grommet and apply silicone before installing grommet to prevent rusting around hole
-Under the dash find a location to run the wire under the carpet (usually down one side of the car and then around or under the back seat (if applicable)...side note: back seat removal may be needed
-Run RCA's and remote wire from head unit behind the dash and under your carpet in similar fashion as power wire keeping it 18" or more away from power wire (don't let them cross either), this is where it is usually safe to run these wires on opposite side of vehicle
-Mount your Amp in an easily accessable place (you'll need this for tuning)
-Find a grounding source within 18" of the amp (make sure this is a good ground, something on the frame or close proximity)... side note: clean ground, remove all piant!
-Wire all leads (Power, Ground, Remote, Rcas) to amp
-Wire speaker wire to speakers or speaker terminals
-Install fuse under hood
-connect battery neg
-Tune as needed for optimum sound performance
Hope this helps
-Michael
http://www.teamcargodzinc.com
Hear It, See It, Feel It, Punch It!
And Proud Sponsor of
Team Wolf Pack Audio
Authorized Dealer
http://www.teamcargodzinc.com
Hear It, See It, Feel It, Punch It!
And Proud Sponsor of
Team Wolf Pack Audio
Authorized Dealer
Amp wiring 101 Continued: (didn't have time to get this in earlier)
When wiring your system ALWAYS use the proper wire size for the amount of power required. Use this as a reference: http://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp
Wires and Items provided in most amp wiring kits include:
-Amp Power Wire
-Amp Ground Wire
-Fuse Block (with Fuse) although a fuse upgrade may be needed
-Remote Turn-On Wire (from H/U to Amp)
-Connectors
-RCA's (not always included)
Side Note: When you buy a vehicle without a system with it and wires are left remaining, best option is to replace them anyway (if they were that good, the previous owner might have taken them with the system), and this avoids walking into someone elses mistakes later.
Do it right the 1st time and you won't have to worry about it later!!!
Also note that more power drawn WILL require more power provided.
This means an upgrade of the stock amplifier to supply the power needed.
Also the added power will need an upgrade of the factory wires:
1- Alternator to Battery Pos.
2- Battery Neg. to Chassis Ground
3- Motor to Chassis Ground
(a.k.a. the Big 3)
This is usually required when power is above 1000w for most cars as they have only 6 gauge wiring.
Also note that the addition of a new High Voltage Battery may be required (start by looking at dry cells)
These are pretty much the basics for anyone looking to do a first time install.
GOOD LUCK! :happy055:
When wiring your system ALWAYS use the proper wire size for the amount of power required. Use this as a reference: http://www.the12volt.com/info/recwirsz.asp
Wires and Items provided in most amp wiring kits include:
-Amp Power Wire
-Amp Ground Wire
-Fuse Block (with Fuse) although a fuse upgrade may be needed
-Remote Turn-On Wire (from H/U to Amp)
-Connectors
-RCA's (not always included)
Side Note: When you buy a vehicle without a system with it and wires are left remaining, best option is to replace them anyway (if they were that good, the previous owner might have taken them with the system), and this avoids walking into someone elses mistakes later.
Do it right the 1st time and you won't have to worry about it later!!!
Also note that more power drawn WILL require more power provided.
This means an upgrade of the stock amplifier to supply the power needed.
Also the added power will need an upgrade of the factory wires:
1- Alternator to Battery Pos.
2- Battery Neg. to Chassis Ground
3- Motor to Chassis Ground
(a.k.a. the Big 3)
This is usually required when power is above 1000w for most cars as they have only 6 gauge wiring.
Also note that the addition of a new High Voltage Battery may be required (start by looking at dry cells)
These are pretty much the basics for anyone looking to do a first time install.
GOOD LUCK! :happy055:
-Michael
http://www.teamcargodzinc.com
Hear It, See It, Feel It, Punch It!
And Proud Sponsor of
Team Wolf Pack Audio
Authorized Dealer
http://www.teamcargodzinc.com
Hear It, See It, Feel It, Punch It!
And Proud Sponsor of
Team Wolf Pack Audio
Authorized Dealer
Wow thats exactly what I needed, two more questions and I think i'll be fine.
The remote turn on lead....is there a spot to plug it into t he back of my HU like the RCA does?(its not a stock head unit)
The fuse that will be mounted near the amp...how does that work, like is it attached to the power wire, am I supposed to attach it?
That's really it for now, if I have anymore, I'll ask, hah.
Thanks for all the advise, it really helped
-Justin
The remote turn on lead....is there a spot to plug it into t he back of my HU like the RCA does?(its not a stock head unit)
The fuse that will be mounted near the amp...how does that work, like is it attached to the power wire, am I supposed to attach it?
That's really it for now, if I have anymore, I'll ask, hah.
Thanks for all the advise, it really helped
-Justin
-
two4fifteen
- Senior Member
- Posts: 774
- Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2005 8:00 am
- Location: detroit
the remote turn on lead is usually a blue wire with a white stripe coming out the back of an aftermarket headunit usually next to the power,ground,etc wires. a small guage wire is all that is needed (16 or so) to connect this to the remote turn on terminal on your amplifier. and if you should ever add more than 3 amps, a relay is required to handle the multiple devices.
and the fuse. do you mean the fuse that should be mounted 6-12" from the battery? because that fuse is a must, and should be able to handle atleast the sum of all fuses added up on your amps. do your amplifer/s not have built in fuse terminals?
and the fuse. do you mean the fuse that should be mounted 6-12" from the battery? because that fuse is a must, and should be able to handle atleast the sum of all fuses added up on your amps. do your amplifer/s not have built in fuse terminals?
Actually your remote wire will have to be attached to an aftermarket stereo... stock units would need an adapterCactapus wrote: The remote turn on lead....is there a spot to plug it into t he back of my HU like the RCA does?(its not a stock head unit)
The fuse that will be mounted near the amp...how does that work, like is it attached to the power wire, am I supposed to attach it?
The fuse needs to be near the battery, not the amp
And the fuse and holder will come with the amp wiring kit
-Michael
http://www.teamcargodzinc.com
Hear It, See It, Feel It, Punch It!
And Proud Sponsor of
Team Wolf Pack Audio
Authorized Dealer
http://www.teamcargodzinc.com
Hear It, See It, Feel It, Punch It!
And Proud Sponsor of
Team Wolf Pack Audio
Authorized Dealer
-
audiobass10
- Master of My Domain
- Posts: 1076
- Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2004 8:00 am
- Location: Cape Coral, Florida
Another side note. When placing your box in the trunk be sure to secure it properly to the car. This will prevent easy theft, as well as one helluva headache if you get into an accident.
Also, your power wire will be the absolute last wire connected to the amp. Connect this wire after connecting all others.
The fuse will be mounted under the hood. As said by Rob, it should be atleast the sum of all fuses located on the amp.
BTW, what kind of equipment do you have? Will you be using a prefab box, or will you be building/having one built?
Also, your power wire will be the absolute last wire connected to the amp. Connect this wire after connecting all others.
The fuse will be mounted under the hood. As said by Rob, it should be atleast the sum of all fuses located on the amp.
BTW, what kind of equipment do you have? Will you be using a prefab box, or will you be building/having one built?
Okay, still a litte confused.
As far as the remote turn on lead is concerned.
I've gotten two different ways, one is there there is like...a thing to plug it in, the other is a blue wire thats on the wire harness. I ripped my head unit out of the console, and theres a few things...theres my rca, then there is a little whole with a blue ring around it, about the size of a headphone jack, then theres another thing, tommorow i can take a pic if needed, its like an inch of rubber that sticks out of the back? I noticed that on the harness, right where it connects the my headunit, therea the blue wire, and either it was disconnected from the little part that goes into the headunit or it was cut, can't tell what to do on that, still a bit confused.
As far as the fuse, alright, I know where to mount it now, but...it it actually on the wire like
___________{fuse}_____________
(the line being the wire of course)
thats where im a bit confused, it if is in the wire, i know it comes seperately, not connected, so does that mean i need to splice anything or whatever?
Almost done with the questions
And just to let you know, i've ordered the subs and amp so there on there way. Im going to pick up the wiring kit tommorow and do it before the kit comes, is there any hazard in that, having the power wire connected and everything with no amp and all attached? The RCA cable is already attached, I know thats not a problem, but power and remote turn on, any problem if there all set up and ready for everything?
Thanks again, its highly appreciated
-Justin
As far as the remote turn on lead is concerned.
I've gotten two different ways, one is there there is like...a thing to plug it in, the other is a blue wire thats on the wire harness. I ripped my head unit out of the console, and theres a few things...theres my rca, then there is a little whole with a blue ring around it, about the size of a headphone jack, then theres another thing, tommorow i can take a pic if needed, its like an inch of rubber that sticks out of the back? I noticed that on the harness, right where it connects the my headunit, therea the blue wire, and either it was disconnected from the little part that goes into the headunit or it was cut, can't tell what to do on that, still a bit confused.
As far as the fuse, alright, I know where to mount it now, but...it it actually on the wire like
___________{fuse}_____________
(the line being the wire of course)
thats where im a bit confused, it if is in the wire, i know it comes seperately, not connected, so does that mean i need to splice anything or whatever?
Almost done with the questions
And just to let you know, i've ordered the subs and amp so there on there way. Im going to pick up the wiring kit tommorow and do it before the kit comes, is there any hazard in that, having the power wire connected and everything with no amp and all attached? The RCA cable is already attached, I know thats not a problem, but power and remote turn on, any problem if there all set up and ready for everything?
Thanks again, its highly appreciated
-Justin
First of all, so long as you do nothave the fuse in, the power wire will not be a problem to run ahead of time. By removing the fuse, you are stopping the supply. You are correct in your illustration, yes you will need to splice into your power wire, somewhere between 6"-18" from the battery is were you need to splice into the wire. You fuse holder will reconnect the line.
What type pf Head Unit is it, that will help me answer your questions regarding what you are seeing. The blue thing could be an auxillary, the long rubber piece makes me think the deck may be old, I couldn't imagine that being an antenna adapter. As mentioned earlier, I would more than likely buy new RCA's just to be safe. You never know what problems he may have had, and a bad set of RCA's can wreak havoc on sound.
If you found the blue wire with a white stripe, and it looks like it has been disoconected then it is possible that the owner also left the remote wire running throughout the car, just disco'd it from the HU. You might try tracing that wire to its source.
What type pf Head Unit is it, that will help me answer your questions regarding what you are seeing. The blue thing could be an auxillary, the long rubber piece makes me think the deck may be old, I couldn't imagine that being an antenna adapter. As mentioned earlier, I would more than likely buy new RCA's just to be safe. You never know what problems he may have had, and a bad set of RCA's can wreak havoc on sound.
If you found the blue wire with a white stripe, and it looks like it has been disoconected then it is possible that the owner also left the remote wire running throughout the car, just disco'd it from the HU. You might try tracing that wire to its source.