How To Install An Amplifier!
How To Install An Amplifier!
Remote Turn-on Wire
The remote turn on wire goes to the head unit.
When the radio is on, it puts out 12 volts that turn the amplifier on.
If you are using a factory radio that does not have a remote turn on (or
power antenna wire) you can tap into, hook it up to the ignition, so that
the amplifier does not remain on when you turn the car off.
If you are using multiple devices (amplifiers,
crossovers, equalizers, fans, etc), you might have to add a relay, since
typical turn-on wires in a radio can’t handle more that
300mA.
Power Wiring
Even though amplifiers are easy to install, a lot of
things could go wrong. The most important thing to consider is where to get
the power from: Straight from the battery. ALWAYS put
a fuse as close to the positive battery terminal as possible. If the wire
going to the back of the car shorts out, then the fuse will blow. If you
don’t install a fuse or breaker and the wire shorts out, then the wire will
carry so much current that the insulation will melt and could catch your car
on fire. The size of the fuse should be the same rating as the fuses used by
the amp(s) or less. The ground (-) should be hooked-up to a metal part of
the car. It is not necessary to run a ground wire all the way to the
battery.
It is not essential to spend a lot of money in getting
99.999999% copper 0-gage wire and gold connectors unless you are installing
a competition system. Here’s a table to help decide what gauge wire to use,
based on total current draw and length of
wire:
Power Cable Calculator
Total Amperage
Draw of
System
Up to 4 ft.
4 to 7 ft.
7 to 10 ft.
10 to 13 ft.
13 to 16 ft.
16 to 22 ft.
22 to 28 ft.
0 – 20
14
12
12
10
10
8
8
20 – 35
12
10
8
8
6
6
4
35 – 50
10
8
8
6
4
4
4
50 – 65
8
8
6
4
4
4
2
65 – 85
6
6
4
4
2
2
0
85 – 105
6
6
4
2
2
2
0
105 – 125
4
4
4
2
0
0
0
125 – 150
2
2
2
0
0
0
00
The above chart shows wire
gauges to be used if no less than a .5 volt drop is accepted.
Cable
size calculation takes into account terminal connection
resistance.
RCA Wiring
When running power wires to the amp, keep them as far
away from the RCA wires (see alternator noise section for more info),
ideally on the other side of the car. It is OK to run the turn-on wire from
the radio along with RCA’s, since it carries very little
current.
Mounting
Amplifiers produce a lot of heat and need to receive
plenty of fresh air. If the amplifier is to be mounted under a seat,
upside down, in a rack or enclosed, a fan or two might need to be used to
increase air flow.
To avoid noise problems, it is good practice to mount
the amplifier itself to a piece of wood or other non-conducting
material. That way the only ground it gets is from the ground wire and
not the mounting screws.