Post up any tips or tricks u used in installing car stereo's,subs,amp,etc.


as in... Running Signal cables n speakers wires on one side and power wire on other side.

 

Run power down the same side of the car as the batt. is on, run RCAs and speaker wire down center of car.
Keep all wire/cable as short as possible, if there is room mount amp/amps under front seats.
Solder all connections, although you can get away with "crimp" connections inside the car, all connections, [that can be] in engine bay should be soldered.
There are probably 100s more tips, but if you have a specific question, ask. 94

 

a tip from an installer (maybe fcm can back me up with this)

if you don't think you can install, go somewhere and get it installed.

as an installer, i'd rather be the only one who's worked on a car, than trying to clean up someone else's partial job.

 

Im running two jl amps can i run the remote wire off one amp to the other amp? if so should i jump up to a 14 gauge instead of 16 gauge wire? Im running JL 500/1 n 300/4 thanks in advance.

 

Wire a switch on the remote wire for amps to shut them off when not in use.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wire a switch on the remote wire for amps to shut them off when not in use.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not that great of a tip there, guy... Your deck already has that function... It's called a power button... It turns your amps off when not in use, without the need for drilling a hole or mounting an extra switch...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Im running two jl amps can i run the remote wire off one amp to the other amp? if so should i jump up to a 14 gauge instead of 16 gauge wire? Im running JL 500/1 n 300/4 thanks in advance.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Since the remote wire only carries a couple hundred milliamps, you can use pretty much any wire you want... 16 will be fine, but if it makes you happier, you can use 14 gauge...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by low_crx87 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wire a switch on the remote wire for amps to shut them off when not in use.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

I just use the ATT or Mute Button.

 

Anyone out there use baffles? for the doors for there 6.5"? I was wondering if they give enough airspace. I would like to use them to keep dirt n stuff away from my speakers. thanks in advance.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vicn77 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">a tip from an installer (maybe fcm can back me up with this)

if you don't think you can install, go somewhere and get it installed.

as an installer, i'd rather be the only one who's worked on a car, than trying to clean up someone else's partial job.</TD></TR></TABLE>Ditto that. We do not do fix up's, we do, [redo] the whole job or we don't do any of it

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B18C_EJ8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Not that great of a tip there, guy... Your deck already has that function... It's called a power button... It turns your amps off when not in use, without the need for drilling a hole or mounting an extra switch... </TD></TR></TABLE> Ditto.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RideOrDie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Im running two jl amps can i run the remote wire off one amp to the other amp? if so should i jump up to a 14 gauge instead of 16 gauge wire? Im running JL 500/1 n 300/4 thanks in advance.</TD></TR></TABLE> 16ga will be fine. And yes you can "daisy chain" the remote wire from one amp to the next. 94

 

thanks FCM. You have been good help. I have done alot of installs with amp kits n amps. my first rule is always take my time.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RideOrDie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thanks FCM. You have been good help. I have done alot of installs with amp kits n amps. my first rule is always take my time. </TD></TR></TABLE>YW, BTW that is a good rule 94

 

When I put my circuit breaker in should it be 12" or 18? from the battery? thanks.

 

Less than 18 inches.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B18C_EJ8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Less than 18 inches. </TD></TR></TABLE>Ditto that. 94

 

another suggestion for the daisy chaining amps... it can't hurt to use a small relay to pull +12 from a larger power line to actually run the remote turn-ons. Some radios have a really low amp remote turn on wire, and if you branch it off to 3 or more amps the voltage on the line can become too low to turn all the amps on, or cause the remote turn on in the factory head unit to quit working.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fcm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">, if there is room mount amp/amps under front seats.4</TD></TR></TABLE>

never i reapeat never install an amp under the seat. first off there is not enought circulation and ur amp will most likely heat up even if it has an internal fan. second ur carpet is dirty and i wouldnt want any of my electronics on the ground collecting dirt. The only time i recommend puttin it under the seat is if u have the service plan from a store like bestbuy or circuit city where they will replace it if u burn it up...tip just dont tell them how just say it overheated.

 

i've never had a problem mounting amps underneath a seat...though i always use spacers to put some air underneath the amp...give it a little circulation.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vicn77 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i've never had a problem mounting amps underneath a seat...though i always use spacers to put some air underneath the amp...give it a little circulation.</TD></TR></TABLE>Ditto that.

Over the years I have installed 100s of amps under the front seats of cars, and more then a few under the back seats of PUs and SUVs, and I have yet to run into and over-heating problem, I also mount the amp "off" the floor, and in most cases remove the carpet from under the amp.

So saying.........

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DM95eg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

never i reapeat never install an amp under the seat. first off there is not enought circulation and ur amp will most likely heat up even if it has an internal fan.</TD></TR></TABLE> is not only wrong, it is poor advice

There are a few advantages to mounting the amp under a seat, [as long as the amp fits and does not interfere with the seats operation] for one thing the amp is more secure there, it keeps the power and RCAs short, the ground return is shorter, and no amp in the trunk/hatch to be damaged if you have to use the trunk/hatch. That said, I have had customers come to the shop with over-heating amps under the seats, but the problem always turns out to be wiring, poor currant in or too low an impedance load out, and a few dimwits that mounted the amp under the carpet. I see no downside of mounting amps under seats if done properly. 94