Properly installing a car amplifier is not particularly easy, but it is an important part of gaining a certain sound quality and avoiding technical accidents. This article will guide you in installing an amplifier in your car.
Steps
Step 1. Mount the amplifier on a solid surface of an electrical insulating material
In other words, don't mount it on a metal surface.
Step 2. Disconnect the negative pole of the battery
Make sure you know how to wake your radio after doing this if it has a security system.
Step 3. Route the power cord through the fire bulkhead
You can put it through a hollow rubber gasket in one of the factory holes.
- If there is no hole available, use an electric drill with steel bits to make one. Start with a pilot hole and then work on it until you get the right size for your cable. Paint the edges of the hole to protect them from rust.
- Put a rubber gasket in the hole to prevent cable chafing.
Step 4. Make sure the power cord reaches the battery
Start from inside the car, and make sure the cable is not pinched or trapped by anything. Insert the cable under the carpet by removing the “rocker panel” (the area below the bottom edge of the door and between the front and rear wheels) and the wheel arch covers.
Step 5. Install a power line fuse holder 46 cm or less from the battery pole connections
It would be better to install it as close as possible to the pole connections.
Consult your amplifier manufacturer's or owner's manual to determine the size of fuse you should use
Step 6. Connect the power cable to the amplifier
Step 7. Secure the cable with plastic ties
Step 8. Run the RCA and remote power cables from the back of the head unit to the amplifier
Snake them through the car like you did with the power cord, but do it on the opposite side of the vehicle. This will avoid messing up the system.
Step 9. Connect the speaker cables from the amplifier to the speakers themselves
Place these cables away from the power cables.
Step 10. Connect the negative pole of the amplifier to the ground pin of the car
Use a short, negative power cable that is the same diameter as the positive lead to the battery.
Step 11. Insert the main power cable into the fuse once all other cable connections are in place
Step 12. Connect the negative pole of the battery
Step 13. Set all input gain level controls to minimum
Step 14. Set the bass, mids and pitch to 0
Step 15. If you have equalizers, set the levels to the center or neutral position
Step 16. Insert a CD with some music you know well
Choose something with a strong, clean sound.
Step 17. Turn the head volume up until you feel any distortion, then set it just below that volume
If you don't feel distortion even at the highest volume, the head unit is in good shape.
Step 18. Repeat this process for the input gain level, and then with all other components
Step 19. Play more music and adjust the settings according to your preferences
Warnings
- Never drill into the interior of your car without knowing exactly where the drill bit will end.
- Do not attempt to install an amplifier if you are unsure of what you are doing.
- Wear protective headphones when adjusting amplifier settings.
