Cut a length of gauge red wire, a length of gauge black wire and a length of gauge wire, each long enough to reach from the amplifier to the inverter. Loosen the REM terminal of the amplifier with a screwdriver. Slide the ends of your wires into the loosened terminals and tighten down to clamp the wires. Loosen the terminals of the inverter.
The method and tool will vary by brand. Slide the black wire into the "-" terminal and tighten. It is best to install it as close as possible to the connection. Consult the owner's manual or the manufacturer of your amplifier to determine the size fuse you should use. Run your RCA cables and remote turn-on lead remote turn on lead is the blue wire with white line from the back of the head unit to the amp.
Snake them through the car in the same way you did the power wire, but do it on the opposite side of the vehicle. This will prevent noise in the system. Connect the speaker wires from the amplifier to the speakers. Situate these wires away from the power wires. Connect the amp's negative terminal to the car's chassis ground. Use a short negative power wire that is the same diameter as the positive wire that leads to the battery. Insert the main power wire fuse once all the connections for the other wires are in place.
Set all of the input level gain controls to their lowest setting.
Set equalizers to their center, or neutral, position if you have them. Put in a CD with music that you are familiar with. Choose something strong and clean sounding.
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Turn up the deck's volume until you hear distortion, and set it just below that level. If you don't hear distortion even at the loudest setting, the head unit is in good shape. Repeat this process for the input gain, and then with all the other components. While your key and radio is on, disconnect and connect the remote wire to the amp. Not Helpful 2 Helpful 9.
How to Install a Car Amp
The balance on your radio may have gotten moved from center to right or left, or your speaker wire may have come disconnected. Check your balance first on your radio's settings. If that's not it, trace your wires to make sure they are connected. If they are, then hook up an external speaker to the radio's output for that side to see if it is the radio at fault. If the radio is good, it could be a bad speaker. Not Helpful 3 Helpful 8. You probably have it connected to a full time 12 volt power source, you need to connect it to a source that is only powered when the key is in the on or accessory position.
Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2. This is called "line input. I recommend them highly. Protect the drilled hole edges from rust with paint or a similar material. Don't skip this step. Caulk the gap between the inner diameter of the rubber grommet and the power wire if necessary to prevent water from running down the wire.
StreetWires makes these type of two piece grommets which they call firewall bushings. Run the wire from the interior of the vehicle, through the hole and to the battery area, being very careful to avoid pinch points and moving parts in the engine bay. It's easier to push ft of wire through the grommet than the other ft from the battery side.
How to Hook Up a Car Amp Inside the House to a Wall Outlet
That's why you push the wire from the interior. Install an in-line fuse holder see photo for the power wire as close as possible to the battery terminal connection the IASCA rule is within 18" but less is better. This fuse protects your vehicle from burning up in case of the power wiring shorting out. It's not there to protect your audio equipment, it's there to protect your car.
The wire between the fuse and the battery terminal will be unprotected, which is why you want this section to be as short as possible. The fuse size depends on the current the power wire will carry. Consult the owner's manual of your amplifier s to find out the maximum current draw of your system. You can also contact the manufacturer and ask them for that information. For multiple amplifiers you will need to add up the maximum current draw of each amplifier.
Once you know the maximum current draw you'll know what size fuse to use.
For example, if your maximum current draw is 50 amps then you'll need a 50 amp fuse. Do not insert the fuse until all other connections are made! Connect the power wire to the battery using appropriate connectors for the wire and battery terminal. For more help on choosing a fuse size visit this page. Pull back the carpet in the area you intend to run the power wire.
You will need to remove the rocker panel and kick panel covers to do this. Snake the power wire to it's final termination point where your amp will be mounted. Depending on your application, you can connect the power wire to the amplifier using appropriate connectors such as ring terminals, see photo or connect it to a power distribution block if you are using multiple amplifiers. After you have your power wire run the way you want it, go back and use plastic wire ties to secure the wire in place.
You may also want to cover the wire in the engine compartment with wire loom prior to using wire ties. You can find this loom at auto parts stores and Parts Express. Now run the RCA cables and remote turn-on lead typically a blue lead but you will need to check your head unit's manual from the back of your head unit to your amplifier's mounting location. You will need to follow a process similar to that of the power wire steps 8 and 9. However, run your RCA cables on the opposite side of vehicle. You do not want to run power wires and signal cables on the same side of the vehicle.
This could induce noise into your system. Connect the remote turn-on wire to your amplifier using an appropriate connector such as a ring terminal. The remote wire is what sends the signal telling your amplifier to turn on or off.
How to Install a Car Amp (with Pictures) - wikiHow
It is a very important wire and your amplifier will not work without it. Click Here if you don't have a remote wire or are using a factory head unit. For multiple items using the remote wire you will want to use a relay. Now run your speaker wires between your amplifier and your speakers.