How to Install a Car Amp

[Booze]

Totally blur when come to ICE stuff..
I bought an Amp last week but dunno how to install it?

This is what i did:
1) I tap the power supply from the car room lamp -/+.
2) I cut the speakers wire that connect from my HU and Speakers.
3) Join the cut out wire from the HU to the AMP according to the -/+, L/R.
4) Join the cut out wire from the speakers to the AMP according to the -/+, L/R.
5) Turn on my HU, then turn on my room lamp switch...

but no sound?? :(

Speakers = 5 x 50W
AMP = 2 x 150

 

[Master D]

Hi,

This might help

http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/learningcenter/car/amplifiers_install_tips.html

;) Better make sure you know what you are doing before attempting it...good luck.

 

[Booze]

Can anyone tell me what is RCA & the remote wire?

Many thanks

 

[Booze]

I follow all the instruction stated in the manual aready.. but still no sound?
HoWW :(

 

[acbc]

Remote goes to your HU - every HU has a remote wire.

 

[Booze]

Originally posted by acbc@Mar 15 2005, 14:27
Remote goes to your HU - every HU has a remote wire.

If i didnt fix the "remote wire" then no sound issit? :(

 

[cacin]

Hi,
Here's my suggestion.
The remote wire of the amp must be connected to DC+12V. It can either be taken from your ignition switch or preferably from your HU. Normally, HU has a pin which is called a remote turn on. The way to check this pin is, use a multimeter and set it to volt reading. Connect the -ve pin to ground. The positive one, you touch on the pin that is not already connected (HU). When you have the reading of 12V, that's the remote pin. Make sure your HU is turned on.
My assumption is, normally there are 8pins. 3 are used. One of the other 5 pins should be a remote turn on. So, to confirm this, now switch off your HU. does the pin still give you 12V reading? Yes--> wrong pin. No---> correct pin.

The easy way--> refer HU manual. By the way, what is your HU brand and model?

The RCA is if your HU has an RCA output. If it has, I recommend you connect using a RCA cable from the HU to the AMP. If not, your current setup should be ok. Please inform whether the method I give can solve your problem or not.

Thanks for your time :)

 

[Booze]

Issit ok to leave the RCA and remote terminal unfix?
I think my HU dont have RCA output! :(

 

[Booze]

Can i do this?

Connect both the Power + & Remote +........ wire together?

 

[cacin]

Originally posted by Booze+Mar 15 2005, 14:29 -->

QUOTE (Booze @ Mar 15 2005, 14:29 )

--QuoteBegin-acbc

@Mar 15 2005, 14:27 Remote goes to your HU - every HU has a remote wire.

If i didnt fix the "remote wire" then no sound issit? :( [/b][/quote] If you didn't fix remote wire, the amp will not turn on. Normally, car electronic need 3 power pin. 1 for 12V, 1 for ground and 1 for remote turn on (12V). This applies for HU, EQ, AMP (I think) :)

 

[cacin]

Originally posted by Booze@Mar 15 2005, 14:38
Can i do this?

Connect both the Power + & Remote +........ wire together?

If you do it like this, your amp will always be turned on. The remote is actually to signal the amp to turn on when you switch on the Head unit. No RCA is OK. Just make sure it is protected so as not to let any metal come in contact with it.

Are you testing the amp only or trying to D.I.Y amp install?

 

[icecube]

yea u can tab from 12v for the remote but then ur amp is always ON even u off ur car already.

the power must be from ur battery with thick cable....

 

[Booze]

Originally posted by cacin@Mar 15 2005, 14:42
If you do it like this, your amp will always be turned on. The remote is actually to signal the amp to turn on when you switch on the Head unit. No RCA is OK. Just make sure it is protected so as not to let any metal come in contact with it.

Are you testing the amp only or trying to D.I.Y amp install?

Thank You Sooooooooooooooooooooooo much :)

I wan to install the AMP.

Actually i tap the power (+) from the car room lamp, so there is a switch i can turn on and off. have to sacrifice the lamp :( taken our the bulb aready.

so you mean i can connect the power (+) & remote (+) together with no problem?

Thanks again..

 

[Booze]

Originally posted by icecube@Mar 15 2005, 14:46
yea u can tab from 12v for the remote but then ur amp is always ON even u off ur car already.

the power must be from ur battery with thick cable....

What type of fuse must i use?
what is the power? 5A or 10A?

:) Thanks

 

[cacin]

You are welcome. :)
Before installing the amp. I advise that you went through this site www.bcae1.com.
Browse through. Because, when you want to install an amp, you need to properly fuse the wire to avoid fire hazard. I also advise that you take power from your car battery. I am not sure what's the wire size they use to connect the cabin lamp. But i believe it is too thin to support an amp. For testing purpose it might be ok. The reason is, if you turn on the volume too high, the amp will draw a lot of current from the battery. In this case, the current will pass through the wiring for the cabin lamp. If the wire cannot sustain the current, it will melt then burn. That's the purpose of the fuse from the battery to your amp.

Go to the website, browse to chapter wire on the right hand side. Click it. There is a system assistant. It can be used to determin wire and fuse for your system.
Hope this helps.

 

[acbc]

Why not connect direct to battery?

That's how I did mine. Use the Remote wire to switch it on / off.

 

[cacin]

Originally posted by Booze@Mar 15 2005, 14:54

What type of fuse must i use?
what is the power? 5A or 10A?

:) Thanks

Please provide me your amp specifications. I will help to calculate fuse and wire size for you.

 

[Booze]

Thank you! :)

So i can connect both the Power(+) and remote(+) together if i have a switch to turn on and off the AMP issit? will there be any problem..?
i hope i didnt fried the AMP

 

[Booze]

Originally posted by cacin@Mar 15 2005, 15:03
Please provide me your amp specifications. I will help to calculate fuse and wire size for you.

My AMP is 150W x 2 channel :)

 

[cacin]

here is the suggested fuse and wire size.
Please take note that this is only for one amp. If you plan to add and amp later, maybe you can use bigger wire from the battery to the distribution block. If you plan not to use distribution block, the wire size from the battery to the fuse and the fuse to the amp must be of the same size. Please also use same or larger size wire for ground connection. Please also take note that the suggested fuse is to protect the wire only. your amp should have it's own fuse to protect it. BTW, 50Amp is the max for 8AWG size wire. to be safe, maybe u can use 6AWG wire. Any more question, please feel free to ask.

http://www.bcae1.com/images/swfs/systemdesignassistant.swf

edit: due to image to big, please use the link above to calculate it on your own. Key in 300watt for the first amp. The rest put 0. cable length is up to you. voltage I think should be 12V. Amplifier is class AB and efficiency just put 50%. Then hit enter.

Wire Gauge :Recommended Maximum Fuse Size
00 awg : 400 amps
0 awg : 325 amps
1 awg : 250 amps
2 awg : 200 amps
4 awg : 125 amps
6 awg : 80 amps
8 awg : 50 amps
10 awg : 30 amps
12 awg : 20 amps
14 awg : 15 amps
16 awg : 7.5 amps
These are the recommended maximum fuse ratings for the corresponding wire size. Using a smaller fuse than what's recommended here will be perfectly safe.

Hope this helps.