How to Install a Car Stereo in a Home

This is the simplest way to Install a Car Stereo in a Home, using Home Stereo Speakers, using the least number of supplies and still being safe.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 - Car Stereo
• 1 to 4 Speakers
• 5 - 1/4" Male Mono Jack
• 5 - 1/4" Female Mono Plug
• 1 - 12 Volt Power Adaptor
• 1 - Car Antena Adaptor
• 1 - Antena (car or home stereo)
• Sodering Iron
• Lead-free Acid-free Soder
• Masking Tape

1. Use instructions to identify the wires attached to the car stereo. Label each on using masking tape and an ink pen. Some car stereos will have wires you will not use for this installation. The one you will be concerned with are the 12v Power, Back-up / constant power, Ground,
   speakers positives, and speakers ground.

2. 
   Adaptor Wiring Image

   Power Supply
   With the 12v Power Adaptor unplugged, cut the small end farthest away from the wall bug off. Slide the outer case of the 1/4" mono plug onto the wires. Separate the wires back about 2". Strip about 3/8" of the insulation off both of the wires. Attach the positive to the center of the 1/4" mono plug and soder. Attach the negative to the outer tab of the 1/4" mono plug and soder. Let cool, then slide outer case down to plug and thread together.

3. 
   Stereo to Adaptor Wiring Image

   Power to Stereo
   Locate the wires: 12v power, Ground, and (if present) Back-up / constant power. Slide all the wires through the outer case of the 1/4" mono jack. Strip about 3/8" of the insulation off all of the wires. Twist together the 12v power and Back-up / constant power if both are present. Attach this to the center of the 1/4" mono jack and soder. Attach the ground to the outer tab of the 1/4" mono jack and soder. Let cool, then slide outer case down to plug and thread together.

4. 
   Speaker to Stereo Wiring Image

   Speakers
   Slide the outer case of the 1/4" mono jack onto the wires. Separate the wires back about 2". Strip about 3/8" of the insulation off both of the wires. Attach the positive to the center of the 1/4" mono jack and soder. Attach the negative to the outer tab of the 1/4" mono jack and soder. Let cool, then slide outer case down to plug and thread together.
   Repeat for each speaker.

5. 
   Stereo to Speaker Wiring Image

   Speakers on the Stereo
   Slide the outer case of the 1/4" mono plug onto the wires. Strip about 3/8" of the insulation off both of the wires. Attach the positive to the center of the 1/4" mono plug and soder. Attach the negative to the outer tab of the 1/4" mono plug and soder. Let cool, then slide outer case down to plug and thread together.
   Repeat for each set of speaker wires.

6. Set Up
   Set in place and attach each speaker to the stereo. Then attach the power adapter. Plug it into the wall and test. If using the AM/FM radio for testing you should hear static, or music if testing with a cd or tape.

7. 
   Antena Wiring Image

   AM/FM Reception
   If you are using a car antena, just plug it in and listen away. If you are using a home stereo antena you will need one FM and one AM. The FM antena should be a thin single wire about 3' long. The AM antena should be a double wire coiled around a plastic hoop. Strip the insulation off of all three wires. Twist the FM and one of the AM wires together and soder to the center of the antena adaptor. Soder the remaining AM wire to the outside. Let cool and attatch to the Stereo.

Tips & Warnings

• When sodering use something other than your fingers to hold wires to the sodering points to prevents burns.
• Heat the metal not the soder. The soder should flow through the wire and onto the metal to bond the two.
• Read all instructions on safty for the sodering iron. This tool gets very hot, can cause serious burns, and can cause fire. Do not use around flammable materials. Give signigicant time to cool down befor putting away.
• Do not inhale smoke coming off of the soder when soddering. May be harmful.
• Use the Plugs (female) for power sources and jacks(male) for power destinations.