11 replies to this topic

[Clubmaninsandiego]

I started a thread on the project build here and then found a separate category for ICE so I'm posting that section here.

I have the following set up on my classic clubman:

JL Audio 500/1
JL Audio 450/4
JL Audio W3V3 4 (10") x1
JL Audio TR690 (6x9) x2 rear speakers
Kicker 4" comps x2 front speakers
Kinetic HC600 Battery
Battery isolator
4 gauge wires for ground and positive
4 gauge distributor

Basically I created an amplifier rack so I can wire the amps and set it up comfortably. The car did not have accesory on ignition so I decided to use a second battery with a battery isolator to make sure the audio system will not drain my main battery which I left it to be used by the car electricals only.

I replaced the alternator with a 1995 Saturn 96amps and used a 4 gauge wire to feed positive. The speakers and RCA wiring are fed on the driver side while power went on passenger side. I used the same ground bolt for both amplifiers, main battery, battery isolator which I believe is preferred so it will have a consistent voltage going to both amps.

The radio head unit is installed under the dash on passenger side. The ground I used for that is a 12 gauge wire bolted inside the engine compartment and the "always on" positive to the starter solenoid. The other positive for accesory/ ignition is a 12 gauge red wire going through passenger bundled with all the power wires of batt isolator.

I am still getting a buzzing noise from the speakers when the engine is running. I know there's a bad ground somewhere and I'm still looking for it. I'm posting pics as I go with this build.  image.jpg   69.89K   42 downloads  image.jpg   91.38K   28 downloads  image.jpg   93.22K   35 downloads

Edited by Clubmaninsandiego, 25 December 2014 - 05:42 PM.

[Clubmaninsandiego]

I'll start cleaning up the wires when I install the carpets. I'm not a professional but I improve it as I go.

 image.jpg   49.77K   20 downloads  image.jpg   44.26K   5 downloads  image.jpg   70.02K   22 downloads

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•  image.jpg   55.31K   7 downloads

[Clubmaninsandiego]

Damn... No views.. No love

[Miniac86]

I like your setup especially the additional battery to run the sound off of, I'd go for a bigger set of front speakers though, like a set of 6.5" mids and tweeters as it'll give you better clarity in the front over the 4" with the 6x9's firing at your legs from behind. I've never managed to get 6x9's to work for me in a mini as they've always seemed muffled and lost in the rear, not sure if you've had the same experience or not? Might just be down to the genre of music that I listen to.

I most definitely wouldn't say no views with almost 200 at this point and all within a week but no replies on the other hand could be a bit of a bummer.

Now I'm off to find your build thread as I myself am a Clubby fan and busy getting mine back on the road at the moment.

Keep up the good work mate.

Ed

[Russw]

I like what you're doing mate, I was waiting for more pics, I like pics.
Good choice of products too
Keep up the great work

[shivi_d92]

nice build going on there mate. in terms of the noise from speakers, double check none of your speaker or rca wires are running too close to power wires, but again double check your grounds as you said, always a tricky one to figure out to be honest

[Clubmaninsandiego]

Originally I was planning on having exposed wires but then after having too many wires on top of each other I decided to hide them instead. This is what it looked like originally.

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•  image.jpg   71.55K   22 downloads

[Clubmaninsandiego]

This is prior to installing the amps on the mdf board. I wanted to make sure everything fits and measured before putting the amps and I wanted to know where I will route the lines. Power wires on the passenger and RCA on the driver side. The front speaker wires I decided to run in the middle since I planned on putting a center console there to hide them.

Attached Files

•  image.jpg   35.36K   17 downloads

[Miniac86]

Looking at how neat you were doing your wiring I think you could have got away with some more exposed wiring, but I have to admit that the clean look that you've achieved looks really neat in itself.

[Clubmaninsandiego]

Thanks Mini Mad! Yeah well I might have to change it all up again because I'm planning on squeezing the 10" sub somewhere and might have to move stuff around.

[Miniac86]

Ruckus has created a thread called Audio 101 which highlights the best sort of speaker placement in a mini and also has some nice sub placement ideas that might help you keep your clean look...

http://www.theminifo...mini-audio-101/

[chrisn89]

nice work where did you get the JL set up from? be getting round to this myself at some point so will be keeping tabs on this

 

chris