Running Amp Power and Grounding
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41
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Running Amp Power and Grounding
I had looked at the FAQ and read through it and looked at the pictures for the places to run the power through the Firewall, and the suggested grommet is occupied, any others suggested, or will I have to drill a hole?
I am also curious where to run the cables through the car and what I will have to take off to get them to the trunk. Is it necessary to run cables through both sides (RCA one side and power on the other)?
As well, what is the easiest place to connect the ground cable onto from the AMP? Should I just go below to the area around where the spare tire is located? And where is the best place for the AMP to be located?
Thanks.
I am also curious where to run the cables through the car and what I will have to take off to get them to the trunk. Is it necessary to run cables through both sides (RCA one side and power on the other)?
As well, what is the easiest place to connect the ground cable onto from the AMP? Should I just go below to the area around where the spare tire is located? And where is the best place for the AMP to be located?
Thanks.
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3
RE: Running Amp Power and Grounding
as for the firewall question, i cant help you there but I can tell you this. Run your RCA cables and your power cable on opposite sides. If you run them together you run a chance of noise feedback. I usually run the power and remote together on the driver side and run my rca's up the center or up the passenger side. As far as the ground goes, you want to keep your ground as shorth as possible, usually less than 3ft. Depending on where you are going to mount your amp, you could always use a seat bolt or the bolt that holds the trunk latch on. These have always been good locations for me, but just remember to sand away any paint where your connector is going to touch metal, the ground works best if it is in contact with bare metal. I would stay away from the spare tire well, i have seen cars where the trunk seal leaks, water build up in the spare well and the person had the gound in there and it got wet and shorted out his entire system. Hope this helps you out.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41
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RE: Running Amp Power and Grounding
Thanks. I am not really sure where the wires are supposed to go as you get to the rear seats, would they just end up going in between the side of the seat and the interior moulding in the back?
As for where to mount the AMP would I just mount it on the bottom of the trunk floor beside the sub box or in front/behind whatever, or is there a better more hidden space? I would like to keep it out of the way as much as possible because I transport an electric scooter in my car sometimes.
Thanks.
As for where to mount the AMP would I just mount it on the bottom of the trunk floor beside the sub box or in front/behind whatever, or is there a better more hidden space? I would like to keep it out of the way as much as possible because I transport an electric scooter in my car sometimes.
Thanks.
1st Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 118
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RE: Running Amp Power and Grounding
look under your rear seats where the seat meets the carpet between your knees if you were sitting in the car. thereis a smal white latch witha button n it. push the button and your seat will come up and you can remove it. this will allow you to tuck the wires under the plactic piece your arrow is sitting on in your picture.
As to where to put the amp... still using your Mach sund box in back? I dont and that is where my amp is located. I cut the heck outta that box just leaving the top surface and the factory amp mounting spots for now and mounted my amp to it in the center.
As to where to put the amp... still using your Mach sund box in back? I dont and that is where my amp is located. I cut the heck outta that box just leaving the top surface and the factory amp mounting spots for now and mounted my amp to it in the center.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41
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RE: Running Amp Power and Grounding
I have a quick question regarding amps and subwoofers.. I bought my amp yesterday at a special 'VIP' sale. It's a Clarion APX2120 which I bought for $50 and the cables were $50, so I figured this was a good deal. One of my friends had offered me a 250W RMS subwoofer for $40 with a box, which I mentioned to the guy that was helping me. He said that I wouldn't be getting the full potential out of the subwoofer, that it would work, but without using the full potential of the subwoofer.
Now, another friend of mine has told me that I will probably blow the subwoofer (even if I bridge the amp).. What do you guys think?
I had asked for help where I bought the amp from because I don't anything about car audio, and that they should have been able to help me choose an amp that will work. If the amp will most likely blow the subwoofer should I try to sell it because the amp was on clearance, or should I just take it back and ask for a refund or exchange it for a better one?
Now, another friend of mine has told me that I will probably blow the subwoofer (even if I bridge the amp).. What do you guys think?
I had asked for help where I bought the amp from because I don't anything about car audio, and that they should have been able to help me choose an amp that will work. If the amp will most likely blow the subwoofer should I try to sell it because the amp was on clearance, or should I just take it back and ask for a refund or exchange it for a better one?
5th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,189
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RE: Running Amp Power and Grounding
uhh according to my google search thats a 200 watt MAX power amp, you shouldnt blow the sub theres no power in that amp at all its more ment for speakers than subs.
you also need to know how many ohms your sub runs at. you cant have an amp running at say 2 ohm if your sub only runs 4.
im pretty sure your gnona need a different amp, that thing will be pointless for running a sub.
edit: yes get a new sub, its max RMS is only 90 watts, youll get more bass out of your speakers than you will a sub with that amp. sorry
you also need to know how many ohms your sub runs at. you cant have an amp running at say 2 ohm if your sub only runs 4.
im pretty sure your gnona need a different amp, that thing will be pointless for running a sub.
edit: yes get a new sub, its max RMS is only 90 watts, youll get more bass out of your speakers than you will a sub with that amp. sorry
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41
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RE: Running Amp Power and Grounding
Meh, I'm going to use this amp for now until I can get a better one.. don't know if I'll be short on money if I go and buy the kind of amp I will need. Should know in a few weeks.
Thanks.
BTW, I have also checked on the ohm rating, and it matches.
Thanks.
BTW, I have also checked on the ohm rating, and it matches.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,189
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RE: Running Amp Power and Grounding
ORIGINAL: mikesrt4
as for the firewall question, i cant help you there but I can tell you this. Run your RCA cables and your power cable on opposite sides. If you run them together you run a chance of noise feedback. I usually run the power and remote together on the driver side and run my rca's up the center or up the passenger side. As far as the ground goes, you want to keep your ground as shorth as possible, usually less than 3ft. Depending on where you are going to mount your amp, you could always use a seat bolt or the bolt that holds the trunk latch on. These have always been good locations for me, but just remember to sand away any paint where your connector is going to touch metal, the ground works best if it is in contact with bare metal. I would stay away from the spare tire well, i have seen cars where the trunk seal leaks, water build up in the spare well and the person had the gound in there and it got wet and shorted out his entire system. Hope this helps you out.
as for the firewall question, i cant help you there but I can tell you this. Run your RCA cables and your power cable on opposite sides. If you run them together you run a chance of noise feedback. I usually run the power and remote together on the driver side and run my rca's up the center or up the passenger side. As far as the ground goes, you want to keep your ground as shorth as possible, usually less than 3ft. Depending on where you are going to mount your amp, you could always use a seat bolt or the bolt that holds the trunk latch on. These have always been good locations for me, but just remember to sand away any paint where your connector is going to touch metal, the ground works best if it is in contact with bare metal. I would stay away from the spare tire well, i have seen cars where the trunk seal leaks, water build up in the spare well and the person had the gound in there and it got wet and shorted out his entire system. Hope this helps you out.
1st Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 118
From:
RE: Running Amp Power and Grounding
I was thinking the same thing.... all it would do (flooding your ground) is to just make the ground connection better. now if the entire AMP got submerged..... that I acn see issues wiht! 
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