How to Install an Amp

How to install an Amplifier:1.) Disconnect thethat before you have gone through the previous
battery terminals: Just be safe. Do this.2.) Run thenine steps, you have thought about how your
power cable from the battery to the location ofamp fits into your system, and how you plan to
the amp or distribution block. (To read moreinstall it. If not, I BEG OF YOU to think about this
about running wires, click here)If you run itfirst. Figure out where you want your amp, how
through any sort of sheet metal, be sure toyou'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 youa 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 sureto be installed FLAWLESSLY. Taking just a small
you run the power cable away from any RCAamount of time to think about this stuff will pay
cables. I usually run the power cable down theoff 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 theyour 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 thebe sure that you are installing it in a way that
power cable is secured with wire ties or someprotects your amp from these hazards.Soooooo,
other means, BUT! Not until you have run theto 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 suitablethey are prone to damage such as in the trunk or
ground point close to the amplifierThis point shouldunder the seats), it is best to build some sort of
attach to the vehicle's chassis, and be a solidenclosure for it. This enclosure should be big
connection.Run your ground cable from the ampenough to contain the amp (and possibly some
(or distro block).Just like with the power cable, thisfans), as well as the appropriate wiring. You will
wire should be secured and protected. It shouldalso want to be able to easily access the controls.
not be installed in a location that will distress it.UseIf you really like to tweak your system, you
a piece of sandpaper to remove any paint ormight want to make your amp rack easily
finish from your ground point. Use it to also sandremovable, 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 wantcan get really fancy here, or just do something
to see nice shiny metal.Prepare an appropriatelyquick. Both will work.Another thing to keep in mind
sized ring terminalIf your ground cable is going towhen building an enclosure for an amp or
be attached with a ring terminal (the mostmounting 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, Iway to keep your amp cool and happy. Use fans,
would recommend it!Use a washer when attachingor 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 somethingmounted to metal, it is sometimes prone to noise.
non-conductive. Also, Find some spray paint orI recommend mounting your amp to a piece of
finish that will protect your ground point fromwood before installing it. This will prevent any sort
rust.4.) Be sure to run RCA cables and theor weird ground loop effects that introduce noise
remote turn on!Pull your head unit out of itsto 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 headStep 1: Be sure all of the amp's gains are down,
unit's wiring harness.Determine which RCA cablesthe bass boost is off, and the crossovers are set
will go to each channel on your amp(s). I find itto the correct frequency band.Get one of your
useful to have a 4-channel cable and an additionalfavorite CDs, preferably one that is clean
2-channel cable for your subwoofers. This makessounding. I have found classical and jazz to work
it easier to run all of the wires at once.Run yourgreat, but alternative and pop work as well. Try
RCAs and remote turn-on. Keep the RCA cablesto avoid really loud or bass heavy music. If you
away from any sort of power cable, especiallymust, try to use a more melodic CD: Not one
the power cable for your amp(s). It's OK to runthat's just all bass, or noise, you know? The
the remote turn-on wire with the RCAs.Makeimportant thing is that the CD is representative of
sure all cables are secured and not installed in awhat you normally listen to, because it's YOUR
way that will distress them. Be sure they aren'tsystem, and it's YOUR music. Darn tootin!Step 2:
pinched, scraped or kinked during any sort ofPower on!Step 3: Turn your head units controls to
driving activity. In any places where they'll needneutral. EQs off, loudness off, fade and balance
protection, be sure to cover them with a toughcentered.Step 4: Turn the volume up until you
material.5.) Run all of your speaker wires.Now it'shear distortion (you know it when you hear it, and
time to run more wires! Run speaker wires fromgo on to step 5), or the volume control is all the
your speakers to your amp's installationway up. (go to step 6)Step 5: If you hear
location.Just like with all of the different wiresdistortion, back the volume up until no more
above, be sure they are secured anddistortion is heard. At this point, you know how
protected.6.) Hook up all of the wires at theloud 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 have6: If your head unit goes all the way up, and
this piece of equipment (and a fuse) before youdoesn't distort, you have a good unit that your
even attempt to hook your amp up to youramp can handle. Go to your amp, and while the
vehicle's electrical system. Seriously!The fusemusic is playing, slowly turn up the gains. Once
holder MUST be within 18" of the battery.Be sureyou hear distortion, back off a little. Turn your
the fuse holder is connected solidly to the powerhead unit's volume down!Step 7: Now go to your
wire.Be sure you have the right sized fuse!Be surehead unit. Set all of the eq, loudness, crossover
the fuse holder is mounted in a safe place, andcontrols, and dsp that you want. Repeat steps
the power wires are all secured away from any4-6 with all of these controls set to how you
moving parts.8.) Hook up any special batterywant them.Step 8: Set all of your amp's bass
terminalsIf you have any fancy-schmancy batteryboost or other controls to how you want them.
terminals, now is the time to be sure they'reRepeat steps 4-6 again.Step 9: Once everything
connected properly. Be sure they are secure andsounds good, you're ready to put a cover on
protected. Hook up any other of your vehicle'syour amp enclosure, and be sure your fans are
cables to the battery. If you can get covers forhooked up properly. Put it away and forget it!Step
your new battery terminals, I would recommend10: You're in business! Have fun, and don't wake
them.9.) Reconnect the battery.Put your shinyup 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 theselling car stereo install supplies: also has a GREAT
amplifier gains all the way down. Turn on yourwebsite with car audio articles (such as the one
system and listen. Does everything work? Howfrom above). Also on the website, learn about car
much noise do you hear? Is there audibleaudio equipment, how to find the best equipment,
distortion (If so, don't listen for long!) Ifhow to install it, and save big bucks in the
everything's square, move on to the nextprocess!
step!11.) Permanately Mount your amplifierI hope