How to Install Amps

The interior of a typical amplifier.

Installing amplifiers in cars requires some special attention to detail. For instance, amp cables should not be near speaker wires to minimize the induction of hum. Car amp installation requires that items be removed. Various wires for amp power and speaker connections can run all over the car's interior. Good installation is a step-by-step process that must be done with attention to detail. Don't attempt installation of car amps if you're uncomfortable with the process. Leave it to a professional in that event. But follow the steps with care, and one, two or more amps can be installed with success.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdrivers
• Power drill
• Rubber grommet
• Speaker wire
• 12 -gauge cable
• Paint
• Caulk

Instructions

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal.

2. Determine the battery side of the vehicle and drill a hole in the vehicle firewall on that side. If there is already a hole in the firewall, make it large enough for the power wires.

3. Protect the drilled hole edges from rust with paint or a similar material.

4. Install a rubber grommet into any firewall hole to protect the wire from scuffing, and caulk any gap between the inner diameter of the rubber grommet and the wire/cable to guard against moisture from anywhere running down the wire to the amp.

5. Run the wire from the interior of the vehicle through the hole and to the battery area, pushing from the car interior side through the firewall. Install an in-line fuse holder for the power wire within 12 to 15 inches of the battery terminal connection. The fuse protects your vehicle from burning in the event of an electrical short.

6. Run the power wire under vehicle carpet to where the amp is or will be mounted. Carefully avoid seat tracks, door jambs or any other pinch points. Depending on the wiring employed, connect the power wire to the amplifier directly or through a power distribution block if using multiple amplifiers.

7. Mount any and all amplifiers on solid, non-conductive surfaces within the vehicle.

8. Connect the remote turn-on lead (typically blue in color) from the in-dash head unit to the amplifier input. Run this cable from some channel away from the power wires. This remote wire is what sends turns the amplifier on and off.

9. Connect RCA cables on the same side as the remote turn-on lead to the speaker terminals that the amp will power. Use any other connectors if the amp and/or speakers are other than RCA terminals.

10. Connect the negative terminal of the amplifiers to any metal point on the vehicle to ground the amps. This negative power wire should be short, but the same gauge as the positive power wire that goes to the battery. Scrape paint to get a bare metal grounding surface. Paint, caulk or otherwise cover the material to prevent corrosion.

11. Insert the amp fuses into their holder(s), reconnect the negative battery terminal and test the audio system.

Tips & Warnings

• If the radio has a security feature (Delco-Loc, Eclipse ESN, etc.) make sure the reactivation or security code is known prior to disconnecting the negative battery terminal.

References

• Car Audio Help: Installing Car Amplifiers
• Basic Car Audio Electronics: Amplifiers