I'm getting close to done on my stereo project. Just need to finish wiring and I should be good to go. Couple of questions:

1. Amp connections - I could put on terminals that came with amp install kit (for speakers, powrer, ground), but they are fork or u-shaped terminals that don't fit into the holes of the connection points on the amp. It looks like you have two choices to wire: (A) don't put terminals on, unscrew post screw, slip wire into square housing area and tigthen screw. Option (B), put on terminal, unscrew post screw, slide u-shape between screw and square house area (so terminal sits on top of housing), tighten screw. I didn't like (B) because terminal is exposed, but maybe that's okay? Option C is find smaller u-shaped terminals that fit inside housing, but they would have to be pretty small. Not sure I can find something that small for a 4 gauge wire. Here is a picture of the amp where the connections are, a lot of glare so not sure it will help.


2. Here is my speaker wires and RCA wire. They run to each side of the e-brake and enter the back storage area (to amp) through an opening in the back wall. Will they be okay this close together?

3. The RCA wire is too long (you can see excess in previous photo), do I try and splice it down or leave the excess in bottom of storage bin?

4. I still have power from the head unit coming back to the battery in the same area as speaker wires and RCA wires. Was planning to keep them near speaker wires (away from RCA). Need to know if that will work.

It's getting close.

Thanks!

 

1. those are compression type fittings, just strip back the wire so that the remaining insulation *just* sits on the outside, and tighten down the screws nice and tight on the bare wire.

2. audio is low frequency, anything below 20khz won't radiate, and their shielded, shouldn't be any problem.

3. I would replace the RCA cable with a shorter one, but that's because I can be like that... up to you. Really wouldn't be a problem though

4. Shouldn't be a problem.

 

Thanks. I think getting that 4 gauge wire in will be a tight fit, but we'll give it a shot.

 

Yeah the gauge of the power wires is a bit of an overkill for that amp, but in the future if you ever upgrade to a larger 2 channel, or even a 4 channel, you'll have the gauge to support the upgrade. Something I have done with good success, is to trim the strands of the cable enough to get a smaller fork terminal on the end, crimp it good, and then sheath it very well in heat shrink.

If you stick the bare wire under there, be sure that there are NO stray strands that could walk over and touch either of the other terminals.

For that small crossover point you won't have any interference issues where the RCAs meet the power wires. They can 'cross' but they cannot run parallel.

Good work so far.