Installation - Amplifiers
Please be sure to read our Installation - Getting Started guide before continuing with this section. It contains helpful guidelines, safety tips, a list of common installation
tools and dos and don'ts to facilitate your installation.
Before You Begin:
- Make sure you have all the tools and parts required to install your amplifier before you begin installation.
- It is highly recommended that you obtain a Chilton's or Haynes auto repair manual from your local auto store or library. This is an invaluable tool when it comes to the assembly/disassembly of
your console, dash and door panels, and it also contains helpful wiring diagrams.
- Be sure that the location you have chosen to install your amp will leave sufficient space for all wires and will be clear of any moving parts. Also check to make sure that the holes which will need to be drilled to mount the amplifier
will be clear of items such as the gas tank, wire harnesses, brake lines, etc.
- Plan to route RCA/speaker wires away from high current/noise sources such as the power antenna motor (and other motors), anti-lock brake system, computer, etc.
- Disconnect your battery's ground (-) cable to prevent damage to your vehicle or amplifier caused by an accidental short.
Amplifier Installation:
- After having found a suitable location to install your amp (the trunk or rear seat is common), measure carefully and mark exactly the position of the amp and holes to drill. Measuring from both the top and sides of the amplifier
will help to center and square the amplifier for a professional looking installation.
- Before drilling any holes, make sure there are no obstructions on the reverse side, such as a gas tank.
- It is suggested that after marking the holes, you use a center punch (or awl) to make an indent where the center of the hole will be. This will help insure that when you drill the hole, it will be on center, and prevents the drill
bit from "walking."
- Drill the mounting holes with a drill bit smaller than that of the mounting screws.
- Mount the amp and tighten all screws by hand to avoid stripping the screw head or threads.
- Run the appropriate gauge power wire directly from the positive battery terminal of the battery. For safety, the power wire should be fused via an in-line fuse located as close to the battery as possible. See the bottom of this page for
the recommended wire gauge that corresponds to the power handling of your amp.
- The ground wire (-) should run from the amp directly to the chasis (metal) of the car. Make sure that you scrape away the paint to make a good connection.
- If installing more than one amp, or capacitor(s), it is recommended that a distribution block is installed close to the accessories.
- It is recommended that a capacitor be installed for systems greater than 500 watts. We recommend a .5 - 1 farad capacitor per 500 watts. This will increase the amount of power available to the amp during power-hungry peaks. Remember: A capacitor must be installed in
PARALLEL to the amplifier, NOT in series.
- All amplifiers have a remote turn-on, which powers the amp only when the ignition (accessory) switch is on. The "remote" on the amp should be connected to the "remote" on the head-unit (usually a blue or blue/white wire). If there is no remote
turn on wire, connect it to the power antenna (usually blue) wire. If there is no power antenna wire, connect it to the red accessory (ignition) wire. The remote turn-on wire should be about 14 gauge.
- Connect the speakers using appropriate gauge wire. 16 gauge is generally sufficient for lower power speakers, 12-10 gauge for larger speakers.
- Connect pre-amp outs from head unit to amplifier via RCA cables. If your head unit doesn't have RCA pre-amp outs, most amps have "high-level inputs" which allow the speakers wires from the head unit to be directly connected to the amplifier.
- Be sure that wires are routed away from high current/noise sources to avoid introducing noise into the lines.
- Double check all connections and reconnect your battery's ground cable.
- Adjust the amplifier's input gain to the lowest setting, then turn the stereo on. The amp should now be on, if not, re-check all wiring thoroughly. Adjust the volume on the head unit to 1/3 maximum volume, then adjust the input sensitivity (gain) on the amplifier to a
comfortable level.
- If you are using your amp to power subwoofers only, set your amp to "low-pass," to pass only low frequencies, and adjust the crossover frequency to that which sounds good and/or matches the specs of your speaker.
- Enjoy your new amp!
POWER/GROUND WIRE GAUGE CHART
|
|
Total System RMS Power / Wire Length |
100 W |
200 W |
500 W |
1000 W |
|
5 ft. (1.5 m) |
12 |
10 |
8 |
4 |
|
10 ft. (3.0 m) |
12 |
10 |
8 |
4 |
|
15 ft. (4.5 m) |
10 |
8 |
6 |
2 |
|
20 ft. (6.0 m) |
10 |
8 |
6 |
2 |
|
25 ft. (7.5 m) |
10 |
8 |
4 |
1/0 |
|
|
