Wiring question..
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Santa Rosa Ca
Wiring question..
I am wiring in my new system now which consists of : Kenwood 4x6's in front and Alpine 6x9's in back with an alpine amp in the rear storage compartment. I have a few questions... :confused:
I am wondering if I can ground the amp right to the battery?
I am running full time power to the head unit from the battery. What gauge wire is big enough? (KENWOOD KDC-MP8017)
Should I run a ground from the battery to the head unit?
Any other advice is much appreciated.
I am wondering if I can ground the amp right to the battery?
I am running full time power to the head unit from the battery. What gauge wire is big enough? (KENWOOD KDC-MP8017)
Should I run a ground from the battery to the head unit?
Any other advice is much appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 84
From: St. Joseph MO
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Wiring question.. (Paul 73 Coupe)
I am wiring in my new system now which consists of : Kenwood 4x6's in front and Alpine 6x9's in back with an alpine amp in the rear storage compartment. I have a few questions... :confused:
1.)I am wondering if I can ground the amp right to the battery?
2.)I am running full time power to the head unit from the battery. What gauge wire is big enough? (KENWOOD KDC-MP8017)
3.)Should I run a ground from the battery to the head unit?
Any other advice is much appreciated.
1.)I am wondering if I can ground the amp right to the battery?
2.)I am running full time power to the head unit from the battery. What gauge wire is big enough? (KENWOOD KDC-MP8017)
3.)Should I run a ground from the battery to the head unit?
Any other advice is much appreciated.
2.) 14-16 gauge wire should be sufficient. Same thing about ground, make sure it's the same size as power.
3.) You can probably use the factory ground if it's still there. Otherwise see if your console is attached by groundstrap or a wire. If not then just run a wire to the radio.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,179
Likes: 13
From: Coal Valley IL
CI 4-7, 9 & 10 Veteran
Re: Wiring question.. (Paul 73 Coupe)
You can run the amp ground to the battery. Make sure to fuse the positve directly at the battery for all feeds to either the head unit or amp or you risk the potential for a fire. I would use a 10 or 12 gauge wire for the amp, not a 14 to 16. What is the output power of the amp? Or, what size fuse does the amp have? This will determine what size wire to use. Your stock wiring should be more than sufficient to supply power to the head unit if you are not using the high power outputs to the speakers and using the preouts to the amp. The amp will then be handling the load. A seperate ground from the battery to the head unit is unnecessary.
[Modified by JTE, 3:10 AM 4/2/2002]
[Modified by JTE, 3:12 AM 4/2/2002]
[Modified by JTE, 3:10 AM 4/2/2002]
[Modified by JTE, 3:12 AM 4/2/2002]
