The head unit I have has 1 set of RCA plugs with it. I want to install a 4 channel Amp. I'll assume those RCA's are for the rear speakers. So, should the front speakers be installed in the speaker level input location on the amp to amplifly them? Question 2: The positive lead 10 Ga.Red wire that go's from the battery to the amp, what's the best way to hook this up? Hooked into the key switch some how or seperate switch. I stopped by the local Circurt City today and could not get any answers, They want to do the install. Here's what I'm working with: Kenwood KRC2007 15x4w. Pioneer speakers-rear 6x9 160w 3way. Front 4x6 80w 2way. I haven't purchased the amp yet. Thanks for any input. Tom

 

You need a fader to split the signal from two to 4 channels. The inexpensive brute force method is to install an rca splitter. This is a wire that plugs into the end of your RCA and splits it from 2 wires to 4 wires. You'll need two of them. They go for about $10 each from circuit city, etc. You will need to take one channel and wire front and rear right from the right on the radio, and the other channel front and rear left. This will allow you to have a right to left stereo signal but no front to back balancing or "fader". To balance front to rear, you need to adjust the amps gains or manual outputs for the sound. Use the gains to balance front to rear.
The other way to do it is by buying an electronic fader or crossover. Unfortunately, the cheapest ones cost almost as much as just getting a new modern deck with 4 RCA outputs built in so this probably isn't an option. How much do you want to spend on the amp and why did you pick the above equipment. Do you own it already or are you going to purchase it?
Last, use at least 8 gauge wire for an amp. In your case, hook it straight to the battery using terminal taps.


[Modified by 92TripleBlack, 10:48 PM 12/6/2002]

 

Your RCA jacks and line level speaker wires are just two different ways to hook up the same two channels. You can get RCA y-wires to split the signal so you have inputs for all four channels. If your 77 fuse block is the same as my 69, there should be a spade terminal on it marked "ign" than you can use for your ignition wire. Connect the main power wire to the battery. There are aftermarket battery terminals with provisions for extra connections.

AC





[Modified by A C, 10:06 PM 12/6/2002]

 

Thanks for the info. I have seen your replys on other topics and it's good to see we have someone with the answers. I purchased the raido and speakers a while ago. By splitting the signal with these wires, will I still have a stereo signal? The reason I ask this is that the schematic that came with the raido shows that the rca plugs are rear output right and left. Please bear with me on this. If it was hooked up this way would you loose the front speaker signal?

 

read 92tb's post again, you will still have left/right seperation, just no way of fading front to rear without adjusting gains.

Luke

 

Thanks to all for the help. Some of this can be confusing. I have a better understanding now. Tom