Fitting Audio Amplifier

[morticiaskeeper]

I'm in the position of being forced to fit a power amplifier (Sony XM SD12X) in the boot of the Sharan (Mk1), not that I want a sub, but I need a 12v PA system.

 

Of course, I might just leave one of the pa horns in the back for some fun :angry2:

 

Question is: Where would be the easiest route to get the power lead from the battery through the bulkhead?

 

Regarding remote power on to the amp, is it just a switch 12v+ from the head unit, like an aerial motor supply?

 

Anyone know of a power connector that will take the current? Then I can remove the amp when not needed.

 

Paul

[connectms]

I'm in the position of being forced to fit a power amplifier (Sony XM SD12X) in the boot of the Sharan (Mk1), not that I want a sub, but I need a 12v PA system.

 

Of course, I might just leave one of the pa horns in the back for some fun B)

 

Question is: Where would be the easiest route to get the power lead from the battery through the bulkhead?

 

Regarding remote power on to the amp, is it just a switch 12v+ from the head unit, like an aerial motor supply?

 

Anyone know of a power connector that will take the current? Then I can remove the amp when not needed.

 

Paul

Hi Paul, i think that best place is below the heater box there is a grometwhich you can route 4 gauge cable through. Then run it down along the passenger side and in behind the rear heater box. I have done this before on them.Also dont know what make of stereo you have but most come with remote power switched wire.Hope this is of help to you. regards James

[Smilge]

Paul ..... dont do what I did and try and push it through the grommet in the 11 o'clock position above the clutch pedal using a bent coat hangar. I broke the pipe off the bottom of the turbo boost solenoid. The easiest way I found was to pull it through the bonnet release cable hole by feeding a long piece of earth wire out of a twin and earth cable and then hooking the power lead onto it. Most standard connectors will be able to handle the current you're talking about here.

 

Chris

[morticiaskeeper]

Thanks guys

 

chris, I won't be able to do what you did, no turbo, just lots of gas gear.

 

I was thinking about following the rear washer pipe.

 

OR... (and this is my favourite)

 

The accessory sockets in the back can't take the current, or at least, the 12v plugs are only rated to 3A. but the circuit is fused to 20A. The amp should only draw 13A. So a tapping into the accessory circuit, with a switch and 15A fuse might work.

 

Another thought is a permanent live on the towbar wiring. Not sure if there is one, but I might get the meter out on Saturday.

 

Bear in mind this amp is not destined for permanent use, just a PA cab dropped out of the back with a Mic / MP3 player. If there is any chance of 240v being anywhere nearby, the big pa amp will come out to play anyway.

[steve67car]

piece of cake that is

pull down the carpet under the glove box

it will expose 3 grommets

take your pick

pop one out feed your cable through the grommet

replace the grommet with the cable passed through into engine bay

lean in to engine bay pull cable up to battery

fit a fuse (most important that is )

route cable to rear of car under the trim (taping it to trim with gaffer tape will just not do ,you aint in a corsa/clio/nova now :) )

power up the unit

back to engine bay place cable to the battery and insert fuse into its holder

2 things to bear in mind

1) keep eath as short as possible

2) if you have abs try to route cable away from pump

good luck

[wonkydog]

Don't listen to him! it's not a piece of cake! LOL

It took me three weeks - 10 mins each day after work to find the right grommet.

I even thought about running the power cable under the car and popping up by the rear bumper until I saw the light. (Broad daylight with the bonnet open and your head in the footwell, fusebox and glovebox out, poking about with a bit of coathanger)

I did it, someone else has done it. Do not give in.

[morticiaskeeper]

It is a piece of cake :lol:

 

The accessory wires behind the sockets in the boot will take the power, so they have. The audio leads and remote power lead have been run under the trim, even though I wasn't going to do that particular job today, it just happened!

 

A 15A fuse and switch are mounted inside the trim just behind the aux heater, removing the louvre just inside the tailgate gives easy access. The amp is mounted on a sheet of wood, with a connector box giving my PA connections.

 

The 250w PA horn is sat behine the middle seats, strapped down to the seat mounting points with kevlar cord.

 

Testing the system out, I feel like a boy racer, except I'm twice the age and refuse to select music just to show off the system. Free's I'll Be Creepin' shakes the ribcage, as does Bring Me To Life by Evanescence.

 

When I need the PA system, the horn can be removed and put on a long lead, a mixer pwered from an invertor will replace the head unit and MP3 players, Mics and Guitars will come out to play.

 

Only one problem - the PA horn is carpeted green to match the living room, the car is Blue :(

Edited March 24, 2007 by morticiaskeeper