This is a great opportunity to learn more about how your stereo works and how to get the best sound from it. Installing an amplifier and accompanying speakers also lets you hookup a few handy skills you can use for future upgrades and tweaks. While this job is tricky, if you feel confident in your wiring capabilities, go for it! Wire size is measured in diameters, usually referred to as a gauge.
Introduction: How to Properly Hook Up a Car Amplifier Inside the House
Take time to measure the distance between the car battery and the amplifier so you can get the right length of wires. An in-line fuse on the main power cable, within half a foot of the connection to the battery, is a must.
This fuse amplifier you, your car, and your stereo system from a short circuit that could cause a fire. Alternatively, look for amplifier wiring kits that suit your amp specifications. Amplifier wiring kits include fuses and matching power, ground, and turn-on wires in one convenient package to help remove any potential for confusion or damage.
RCA cables come in stereo pairs and a variety of lengths. For subwoofers, use wires between and gauge. NOTE : Installation specifics depend on the amp equipment you purchased and the make of your vehicle. When in doubt, call the pros! Your car should be parked on a flat surface with the parking brake engaged.
Amplifier here, pop open your hood and disconnect the battery, starting with the negative terminal. This will help prevent electrical shorts and shocks while you go about installing your amp! Choose a safe location to securely mount your amp. The manufacturer will usually include a few recommendations in their included instructions. As a rule of thumb, amps produce plenty of heat, so they need a few inches of air space on all sides to help keep cool.
While you might be able to save space, the heat it puts out will just radiate back into the amp, causing overheating and creating a fire risk.
How to Properly Hook Up a Car Amplifier Inside the House
Your amp should also be at least three feet from your stereo proper to avoid interference and radiant noise. Note that you will need to conceal the wiring for safety and appearance. Depending on the location you choose, you will need to run the wiring under the dash, kickpanel, door scuff plate, or pillar trim panel. To do this, find an unused grommet in the firewall hookup pass the wire through.
Alternatively, you can find one with wires passing through and enough room for the power wire to fit through as well. Use a grommet on the new hole to prevent damage to the wire passing through the hole.
Find a location to install the fuse holder close to the car battery, ideally less than 6 inches from the battery. Anchor the holder with a screw or cable tie.
Cut a short piece off the end of the power wire. This piece should be long enough to reach the fuse holder from the car battery. Use a wire stripper to strip the insulation off of both ends of the newly cut wire piece. Take a terminal ring from your wiring kit and crimp it onto one end of this short piece of wire. Attach the fuse holder on the other end. For a top-mounted battery post, crimp a ring terminal on to the end of the power cable if one is not already attached. Then replace the nut. Amplifier a wire loom over the power cable until it reaches the firewall and cut to fit.
Then thread wire loom over the short wire attached to the hookup holder and battery. Crimp hookup ring terminal to the short ground amplifier. Scrape paint and clean dirt off the bolt location so the ground wire connection is to bare metal. Plug these leads from the amp to the back of your stereo head unit.
Ensure see more main fuse is secure. Turn on your vehicle and the radio. Turn up the music and check that sound is coming from each speaker. Test the stereo system using the balance, fade, and subwoofer settings see more hookup head unit.
Step 1: Choose Your Warrior
Check that each speaker is working without static or distortion. Visit the car amplifier installation specialists for amplifier and worry-free car stereo upgrades and installations. Ready to get started? An In-Line Fuse An in-line fuse on the main power cable, within half a foot of the connection to the battery, is a must.