What Was The Installation Guy Talking About?

[washdup]

I was in a reputable specialty mobile audio shop getting ideas for adding some bass to my system. The owner was telling me that there is a way to tap into some wiring related to the antenna. I didn't understand too well and asked for clarification, but I'm not too electro-savvy, and still really didn't understand what he was talking about. < me.

Anyone here have any idea why you would tap into the antenna wire while doing a sub install. It had something to do with power, but not the power supply?

[BEJinFBK]

A sub needs BIG power from the battery and trigger power to turn on.

He probably wants to pick up the amp turn on power there. Kinda cheesy IMHO...

That means it'll work anytime the key is on. And that could easily lead to noise problems.

I would recommend picking up that power right off of the HU. That's what it's there for. ;)

[washdup]

A sub needs BIG power from the battery and trigger power to turn on.

He probably wants to pick up the amp turn on power there. Kinda cheesy IMHO...

That means it'll work anytime the key is on. And that could easily lead to noise problems.

I would recommend picking up that power right off of the HU. That's what it's there for.

Thanks BEJ, I see now that's exactly what he was talking about, and I agree that is not the way to go. Where I'm going with this is I'm trying to gauge whether I want to do this myself . . . SO by using the ebay adapter like this would the only thing needed be to connect the "ground" and "power" wires shown (and the RCAs of course) to the new amp, and then get a separate power cable to run from the amp to the battery?

[MyCarIsRed]

A sub needs BIG power from the battery and trigger power to turn on.

He probably wants to pick up the amp turn on power there. Kinda cheesy IMHO...

That means it'll work anytime the key is on. And that could easily lead to noise problems.

I would recommend picking up that power right off of the HU. That's what it's there for.

Yep. part of the easy cheesy install, where signal is taken off the rear speakers. means they only have to run one wire from the front, and that you get inferior quality sound.

[BEJinFBK]

Thanks BEJ, I see now that's exactly what he was talking about, and I agree that is not the way to go. Where I'm going with this is I'm trying to gauge whether I want to do this myself . . . SO by using the ebay adapter like this would the only thing needed be to connect the "ground" and "power" wires shown (and the RCAs of course) to the new amp, and then get a separate power cable to run from the amp to the battery?

You probably won't need the ground from that adapter. Just the RCA'a and the remote turn on + .

Get fat power from the battery and ground right at the sub amp and yer thumpin'.

( Don't forget a fuse in the big power line, right at the battery. Car fires suck! )

[mkc70]

A sub needs BIG power from the battery and trigger power to turn on.

He probably wants to pick up the amp turn on power there. Kinda cheesy IMHO...

That means it'll work anytime the key is on. And that could easily lead to noise problems.

I would recommend picking up that power right off of the HU. That's what it's there for.

The SC-901 sends the same signal on the DIN cable as it does to the power antenna output, +12v when HU is playing.

[andyb5]

I would recommend picking up that power right off of the HU. That's what it's there for.

Another option would be to pick up the turn-on lead up off of the existing amp, and run the wire from there, so both amps will turn on in unison (with a slight delay to avoid "speaker pop")

You probably won't need the ground from that adapter. Just the RCA'a and the remote turn on 12V+ from the eBay harness.

Get fat power from the battery and ground right at the sub amp and yer thumpin'.

( Don't forget a fuse in the big power line, right at the battery. Car fires suck! )

OP, if you buy a pre-packaged amplifier install kit (ex: Streetwires or Rockford Fosgate) it will include a pre-fused power cable, ground cable, turn-on lead, and RCA cables. Make sure you run at least 8-gauge power and ground wire for a strong connection, larger if you have a monster amp for your sub.

[washdup]

Does the ebay switch wire go to the amp or to an existing switchable source in the car? I thought it picked up the switch-on from the package of wires in the DIN cable, and that the wire ran to the amp.

Also, if I go with the ebay kit, would I only need a battery cable (fused) and ground in a separate kit, since the kit comes with the RCAs?

[BEJinFBK]

Does the ebay switch wire go to the amp or to an existing switchable source in the car? I thought it picked up the switch-on from the package of wires in the DIN cable, and that the wire ran to the amp.

Also, if I go with the ebay kit, would I only need a battery cable (fused) and ground in a separate kit, since the kit comes with the RCAs?

Affirm on the adapter having the remote turn on lead.

You'll need Big power, it's fuse and holder, a short Big ground,

RCA cables and a run of single 18 guage or so (preferrably blue) for turn on.

(And some RCA cables will include the remote wire molded right in.)

The eBay adapter intercepts the amp remote on lead and the 4 RCA signals

as they run betwen the HU and the OEM amp, So picking up the turn on at the

HU OR the amp doesn't really matter. Either way, same 12 volts when the HU is on.

So there's no reason you couldn't plug it in at either place.

BUT -

Those connections will be easier to find, reach and keep out of harms way behind the HU.

And yeah, you'll still need a set of RCA cables from the adapter to the sub amp,

but they're cheap enough. Regardless of what the guys at the stereo shop tell ya,

you don't need stupid expensive RCA cables. Especially for a sub.