| How to install an Amplifier:1.) Disconnect the | | | | that before you have gone through the previous |
| battery terminals: Just be safe. Do this.2.) Run the | | | | nine steps, you have thought about how your |
| power cable from the battery to the location of | | | | amp fits into your system, and how you plan to |
| the amp or distribution block. (To read more | | | | install it. If not, I BEG OF YOU to think about this |
| about running wires, click here)If you run it | | | | first. Figure out where you want your amp, how |
| through any sort of sheet metal, be sure to | | | | you'll get power to it, and what (if any) |
| protect the power cable with a rubber grommet, | | | | components will be installed near it. Also, don't be |
| or some other protective device.Be sure you | | | | a fool! Be sure you've budgeted so you can |
| have plenty of slack at both ends of the cable. | | | | actually afford everything you need for your amp |
| This will make your life easier, trust me!Be sure | | | | to be installed FLAWLESSLY. Taking just a small |
| you run the power cable away from any RCA | | | | amount of time to think about this stuff will pay |
| cables. I usually run the power cable down the | | | | off for a smooth install, and great sound. If you |
| side of the vehicle that the battery is installed on, | | | | don't plan, you will screw it up.When you mount |
| and run the RCA cables down the center of the | | | | your amp, you'll want to be sure you are |
| vehicle.Once the cable has been run and secured, | | | | protecting it from any sort of physical damage |
| leave it alone for the time being. Don't hook it up, | | | | and heat. Car amps are tough, but you need to |
| cut it or do anything else with it!Be sure the | | | | be sure that you are installing it in a way that |
| power cable is secured with wire ties or some | | | | protects your amp from these hazards.Soooooo, |
| other means, BUT! Not until you have run the | | | | to protect your amp from physical damage |
| cable, and determined that the cable is going to | | | | (because they are usually installed in places where |
| work out where it is located.3.) Find a suitable | | | | they are prone to damage such as in the trunk or |
| ground point close to the amplifierThis point should | | | | under the seats), it is best to build some sort of |
| attach to the vehicle's chassis, and be a solid | | | | enclosure for it. This enclosure should be big |
| connection.Run your ground cable from the amp | | | | enough to contain the amp (and possibly some |
| (or distro block).Just like with the power cable, this | | | | fans), as well as the appropriate wiring. You will |
| wire should be secured and protected. It should | | | | also want to be able to easily access the controls. |
| not be installed in a location that will distress it.Use | | | | If you really like to tweak your system, you |
| a piece of sandpaper to remove any paint or | | | | might want to make your amp rack easily |
| finish from your ground point. Use it to also sand | | | | removable, but also keep theft in mind. Be |
| away any rust or residue on your ground point. | | | | creative on how to protect it. The truth is, you |
| You want a good solid connection, so you'll want | | | | can get really fancy here, or just do something |
| to see nice shiny metal.Prepare an appropriately | | | | quick. Both will work.Another thing to keep in mind |
| sized ring terminalIf your ground cable is going to | | | | when building an enclosure for an amp or |
| be attached with a ring terminal (the most | | | | mounting the amp in a place that is hot or has |
| recommended means), attach it now. Remember! | | | | poor airflow is that the amp will get HOT. Heat |
| Do a good job here. We're looking for a strong, | | | | damages electronics, so you should figure out a |
| solid electrical connection. If you can use solder, I | | | | way to keep your amp cool and happy. Use fans, |
| would recommend it!Use a washer when attaching | | | | or even redirect the air conditioner!One last thing |
| your ring terminal to your vehicle's chassis.Finally, | | | | about amps: I have found that if your amp is |
| cover the ground point with something | | | | mounted to metal, it is sometimes prone to noise. |
| non-conductive. Also, Find some spray paint or | | | | I recommend mounting your amp to a piece of |
| finish that will protect your ground point from | | | | wood before installing it. This will prevent any sort |
| rust.4.) Be sure to run RCA cables and the | | | | or weird ground loop effects that introduce noise |
| remote turn on!Pull your head unit out of its | | | | to your music.12.) Tweak!Now that you've installed |
| mounting location.If it's not already hooked up, | | | | your amp(s), you're pretty excited to get rollin. |
| hook up your remote turn-on wire to the head | | | | Step 1: Be sure all of the amp's gains are down, |
| unit's wiring harness.Determine which RCA cables | | | | the bass boost is off, and the crossovers are set |
| will go to each channel on your amp(s). I find it | | | | to the correct frequency band.Get one of your |
| useful to have a 4-channel cable and an additional | | | | favorite CDs, preferably one that is clean |
| 2-channel cable for your subwoofers. This makes | | | | sounding. I have found classical and jazz to work |
| it easier to run all of the wires at once.Run your | | | | great, but alternative and pop work as well. Try |
| RCAs and remote turn-on. Keep the RCA cables | | | | to avoid really loud or bass heavy music. If you |
| away from any sort of power cable, especially | | | | must, try to use a more melodic CD: Not one |
| the power cable for your amp(s). It's OK to run | | | | that's just all bass, or noise, you know? The |
| the remote turn-on wire with the RCAs.Make | | | | important thing is that the CD is representative of |
| sure all cables are secured and not installed in a | | | | what you normally listen to, because it's YOUR |
| way that will distress them. Be sure they aren't | | | | system, and it's YOUR music. Darn tootin!Step 2: |
| pinched, scraped or kinked during any sort of | | | | Power on!Step 3: Turn your head units controls to |
| driving activity. In any places where they'll need | | | | neutral. EQs off, loudness off, fade and balance |
| protection, be sure to cover them with a tough | | | | centered.Step 4: Turn the volume up until you |
| material.5.) Run all of your speaker wires.Now it's | | | | hear distortion (you know it when you hear it, and |
| time to run more wires! Run speaker wires from | | | | go on to step 5), or the volume control is all the |
| your speakers to your amp's installation | | | | way up. (go to step 6)Step 5: If you hear |
| location.Just like with all of the different wires | | | | distortion, back the volume up until no more |
| above, be sure they are secured and | | | | distortion is heard. At this point, you know how |
| protected.6.) Hook up all of the wires at the | | | | loud your system is gonna go before it starts |
| amplifier!Hook up the RCAs, speaker cables, | | | | distorting, sounding horrible, and smoking speakers. |
| remote turn on, power then ground.7.) Hook up a | | | | (Move on to step 7, and lower your volume!)Step |
| fuse holder near the battery.Be sure you have | | | | 6: If your head unit goes all the way up, and |
| this piece of equipment (and a fuse) before you | | | | doesn't distort, you have a good unit that your |
| even attempt to hook your amp up to your | | | | amp can handle. Go to your amp, and while the |
| vehicle's electrical system. Seriously!The fuse | | | | music is playing, slowly turn up the gains. Once |
| holder MUST be within 18" of the battery.Be sure | | | | you hear distortion, back off a little. Turn your |
| the fuse holder is connected solidly to the power | | | | head unit's volume down!Step 7: Now go to your |
| wire.Be sure you have the right sized fuse!Be sure | | | | head unit. Set all of the eq, loudness, crossover |
| the fuse holder is mounted in a safe place, and | | | | controls, and dsp that you want. Repeat steps |
| the power wires are all secured away from any | | | | 4-6 with all of these controls set to how you |
| moving parts.8.) Hook up any special battery | | | | want them.Step 8: Set all of your amp's bass |
| terminalsIf you have any fancy-schmancy battery | | | | boost or other controls to how you want them. |
| terminals, now is the time to be sure they're | | | | Repeat steps 4-6 again.Step 9: Once everything |
| connected properly. Be sure they are secure and | | | | sounds good, you're ready to put a cover on |
| protected. Hook up any other of your vehicle's | | | | your amp enclosure, and be sure your fans are |
| cables to the battery. If you can get covers for | | | | hooked up properly. Put it away and forget it!Step |
| your new battery terminals, I would recommend | | | | 10: You're in business! Have fun, and don't wake |
| them.9.) Reconnect the battery.Put your shiny | | | | up your neighbors!Alan Bayer is an entrepreneur |
| new terminals on those battery posts!10.) | | | | and car audio enthusiast. He runs an eBay store |
| Test!Before turning your system on, turn the | | | | selling car stereo install supplies: also has a GREAT |
| amplifier gains all the way down. Turn on your | | | | website with car audio articles (such as the one |
| system and listen. Does everything work? How | | | | from above). Also on the website, learn about car |
| much noise do you hear? Is there audible | | | | audio equipment, how to find the best equipment, |
| distortion (If so, don't listen for long!) If | | | | how to install it, and save big bucks in the |
| everything's square, move on to the next | | | | process! |
| step!11.) Permanately Mount your amplifierI hope | | | | |