DIY Car Audio Amp With Remote Gain

Some new amplifiers have a Bluetooth remote gain for Bluetooth head units.

A car audio amplifier is used to power speakers, most commonly subwoofers. A remote gain allows the user to control the volume or gain from the head-unit (deck) of the stereo. This remote gain is controlled via a small control wire that runs from the head-unit to the amplifier. Installing an amplifier with remote gain is not difficult and the whole job should take less than an hour.

Things You'll Need

• Power wires
• Gain wire
• Electrical tape
• RCA audio cables

Instructions

1. Disconnect the car's battery.

2. Locate the "remote gain" wire on the head unit. The head unit's manual will indicate which color wire this is. It will be different depending on the model of the head unit.

3. Connect a wire (16- to 18-gauge) to the remote gain wire on the head unit. Twist the wires together then tape the connection using electrical tape. Run the gain wire to the amplifier.

4. Connect the gain wire to the amplifier's "Remote Gain" terminal.

5. Plug in the RCA audio cables into the "Pre-Amp Out" or "Subwoofer Out" terminals on the head unit. Run these cables to the amplifier. Plug them in to the amplifier's "Audio In" ports.

6. Connect a power wire to the amplifier's "Power + 12v positive" connection. Connect another wire to the amplifier's "Power ground - negative" connection. Run these wires to the battery of the car. Depending on the power of the amplifier anywhere from a 10- to 14-gauge wire should work; the manual for the amplifier will specify what gauge is best.

7. Reconnect the car's battery and connect the power cables from the amplifier to the appropriate terminals on battery; make sure to match positive with positive and negative with negative.

References

• Car Audio Help: How to Install a Car Amp
• Power Stream: Wire Gauge and Current Limits