Under the Hood: Battery and Fusing

• 1
  Take steps to ensure safe wiring.engine image by goce risteski from Fotolia.com
  
  Using socket wrench with appropriate sized socket, remove negative lead from car's battery. Tape end and keep free.
  
  
• 2). Using wire cutters, cut 12 inches of power wire.
  
  
• 3). On battery end, cut 1/4 inch of insulation from power wire.
  
  
• 4). Using crimp tool, crimp ring terminal onto power wire. Place tooth of crimping tool on solid side of ring terminal. Tape this termination using electrical tape for now.
  
  
• 5). On opposite end of power wire, cut 1/4 inch of insulation.
  
  
• 6). Connect newly cut wire to one end of fuse holder. Various fuse holders utilize a small set screw, or method where installers wrap the wire over a small brass collar. Do not insert fuse yet.
  
  
• 7). Measure distance from fuse holder's mounting location to amplifier mounting spot. Cut length of power wire to accommodate this measurement.
  
  
• 8). On this newly cut section of wire, strip 1/4 inch of insulation from one end.
  
  
• 9). Connect this end to other end of fuse holder, using the same attachment method as battery side of the fuse holder.
  
  
• 10
  
  Find the location on vehicle's firewall where wires from engine compartment pass into vehicle's cabin. Carefully route power wire through this opening, using a coat hanger or other stiff (yet flexible) rod. Fiberglass rods are available at most home improvement stores.
  
  
• 11
  
  Using split loom, cover all power wire under the hood. It is not necessary to loom over the fuse holder.
  
  
• 12
  
  Using zip ties, secure the now-split loomed power line to a location devoid of excessive heat. It is a good practice to find existing wires already in the engine compartment, and use zip ties to secure to one another. This ensures the routing scheme is safe, and has the added benefit of looking stock to prying eyes.
  
  
• 13
  
  After removing electrical tape, connect ring terminal to positive battery post, using appropriate-sized socket and socket wrench. For GM vehicles, a side post mounting adapter may be required.
  
  

Mounting the Amplifier

• 1). Find a suitable location for the amplifier with at least 2 inch of clearance, and reasonable protection from passengers and cargo.
  
  
• 2). Find a solid piece of sheet metal as close to amplifier mounting location as possible.
  
  
• 3). Carefully inspect area of grounding connection for fuel or brake lines.
  
  
• 4). Using flat heat screwdriver, carefully scrape away all paint from this chosen location to accommodate ground ring terminal. Remove no more than 1 inch of paint, or a dime-sized ring.
  
  
• 5). Using wire cutters, cut length of power wire to accommodate the distance between amplifier and grounding point.
  
  
• 6). Using wire cutters, cut 1/4 inch of insulation from wire.
  
  
• 7). Using self-tapping screws and drill with Phillips bit attachment, mount amplifier to secure location, again checking for fuel, brake, and other essential lines behind mounting location.
  
  
• 8). Using appropriate-sized Allen wrench or screwdriver, connect stripped wire to negative terminal on amplifier.
  
  
• 9). On flying lead of wire, cut 1/4 inch of insulation using wire cutters.
  
  
• 10
  
  Using crimp tool, crimp ring terminal to this newly-cut end. Remember to use the side of ring terminal that does not have the split.
  
  
• 11
  
  Using self-tapping screws, connect the ground's ring terminal to the paint-free area chosen earlier.
  
  
• 12
  
  Using silicone caulk, apply small dab onto grounding screw and ring terminal. This prevents possible corrosion on the exposed metal.
  
  
• 13
  
  Using wire cutter, cut 1/4 inch of insulation from power wire (routed next to amplifier location from previous step).
  
  
• 14
  
  Using appropriate-sized Allen key or screwdriver, connect this wire to the +12v terminal on amplifier.
  
  
• 15
  
  On radio's (head unit's) wire harness, find remote turn-on lead. On most harnesses, this is blue, and typically labeled indicating function.
  
  
• 16
  
  Measure distance from radio (head unit) to amplifier's mounting location. Using wire cutters, cut length accordingly.
  
  
• 17
  
  Using wire cutters, strip 1/4 inch of insulation from remote turn-on wire.
  
  
• 18
  
  Using small butt connector and crimping tool, crimp the remote turn-on wire to corresponding wire on harness.
  
  
• 19
  
  Using appropriate-sized Allen key or screwdriver, connect remote turn-on lead (routed from radio) to "REM" location on amplifier.
  
  

Final Connections

• 1). Under hood in engine compartment, connect fuse in fuse holder. This may pressure-fit or screw in, depending on size. Ensure cover is secure, and take care not to cross-thread screw-on wire covers. These protect the fuse from moisture.
  
  
• 2). Following similar steps taken to wire power, ground, and remote leads to amplifier, route speaker wire to appropriate locations.
  
  
• 3). Turn on vehicle. Ensure power light is indicated. If flashing, there may be a short or overload scenario. This is caused when bare wire is touching the vehicle's metal, or a connection is not fully-tightened. Ensure all connections are secure, and clip off any frayed wires.
  
  
• 4). Set volume on radio (head unit) 3/4 of the way up. Turn gain on amplifier slowly up, until distortion is heard. Slowly turn down gain until distortion is gone.
  
  
• 5). Make final check of all connections, and adjust sound levels to taste.