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