How to Install a Video System Amplifier in Your Car

A video system amplifier will boost your video system output so you can run a video signal to multiple monitors at once without any loss in picture quality. If you have several monitors in your car, you will want to install one of these devices.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A/V cable
• Wrench/socket
• Video system amplifier
• Drill
• Wire cutter and stripper

1. Determine whether you need a video amplifier in your car. If you want to run just one or two video monitors from the same video source, you probably won't need an amplifier. If you have more than two monitors, you may need an amplifier to ensure good picture quality.

2. Open the hood and use a wrench or socket to disconnect the battery cables from the battery. Check the car's repair manual to see what size tool to use for this.

3. Decide where you want to install the video amplifier. Choose a spot where it won't be in the way. Under the passenger seat or in the trunk are good places.

4. Mount the amplifier in the spot you've chosen. Drill holes for the screws for the amplifier's mounting brackets. Attach the amplifier using the screws that came with the unit.

5. Connect the power and ground wires. The positive wire (red) should be connected to a 12-volt power wire. Use wire cutters and wire strippers to splice the positive wire to the 12-volt power wire of the video player. Connect the ground wire (black) to bare sheet metal near the amplifier. You may need to drill a small hole to connect the ground wire. Use a small screw to connect the ground wire.

6. Connect the video amplifier to the video source. Use an A/V cable to connect the video source (for example, a DVD player or VCR) to the input connector of the amplifier. If you are unsure which connector is the input, check the video amplifier's user manual.

7. Connect the video amplifier to the monitors. Route an A/V cable from each monitor to the video amplifier's outputs. The number of monitors you can run depends on how many outputs your amplifier has.

8. Reconnect the battery and start the car. Turn on the video source and check the monitors. All the monitors should have a strong signal if the video amplifier was installed correctly.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're not confident about doing this installation, consider hiring a professional.
• Make sure your video amplifier has enough outputs for the number of monitors you have in your car.
• Do not install any electronic devices in a car with the battery connected. Ignoring this rule puts you at risk for severe electric shock.
• Do not operate video monitors that the driver can see while driving. This is illegal and dangerous.