15 replies to this topic

[silky]

Hi all

Not an expert on electrics and ICE, so need a wee bit of help.

Bought myself an active sub, just wanted a little more bass without bouncing down the road (hence not buying a separate amp and sub).

I've got three wires, one for the battery (+) and earth (shouldn't be a problem to connect these) and also a blue 'ignition live' wire. However, I have no idea where this will go! Can anyone help?


p.s. Can any non-Chelsea supporters please cheer on the mighty Tykes (Barnsley) this afternoon!!!

[Ethel]

I guess the blue wire will act as a switch so the sub turns off when you take your keys out. you could connect it to any ignition dependent live - the heater fan for example.


Come on Barnsley!

Edited by Ethel, 08 March 2008 - 12:51 PM.

[Major Burkenshaw]

On a traditional setup this blue would connect to the headunit, and become live when the unit switches on. Most head units have this feature, unless its very old.

Although I suppose you could just connect it to the ACC side of the iginton switch.

[tomsbluemini]

On a traditional setup this blue would connect to the headunit, and become live when the unit switches on. Most head units have this feature, unless its very old.

Although I suppose you could just connect it to the ACC side of the iginton switch.

when I did the install in Rosie's car, there was an amp wire on the headunit, so it turns on when the radio's on.

failing this, just connect it to the switched feed for the headunit. that was, you can keep the radio circuit fairly contained...

Cheers

Tom

[silky]

Thanks guys, don't think I'll touch the ignition itself. Will have a nose at the back of the head unit. It's only a couple of year's old so should be ok. Looked at the user manual for the stereo, but as usual, it doesn't say much.

All I can see is that there is a same colour blue wire, but this is for if I had an electric aerial - should I use that one???

[silky]

Oh, and thanks for the support Ethel!!!

Gonna stuff Chelsea - honest!!!

[Ethel]

Leccy aerial lead sounds ideal - you could check its function with a test light or meter. I suggested the heater in case your radio has a permanent supply.

[Ethel]

Suppose you'll be happy now?

[M44K TS]

i think the green wire on the original radio harness comes on with the ignition so you could always have it connected there?

[1an]

you shouldnt use the electric aerial as a remote turn on for the amp, use the proper wire which is known as amp turn on, you will only have one of those if you have RCA ports on the back of the headunit.

on Alpine headunits the wire is blue/white.

[Ethel]

you shouldnt use the electric aerial as a remote turn on for the amp, use the proper wire which is known as amp turn on, you will only have one of those if you have RCA ports on the back of the headunit.

on Alpine headunits the wire is blue/white.

Surely the Aerial wire only provides a 12v signal so it won't matter what you use it for?

[1an]

you shouldnt use the electric aerial as a remote turn on for the amp, use the proper wire which is known as amp turn on, you will only have one of those if you have RCA ports on the back of the headunit.

on Alpine headunits the wire is blue/white.

Surely the Aerial wire only provides a 12v signal so it won't matter what you use it for?

im only making reference to the manual that came iwth my alpine headunit, which has a wiring diagram i the back of it and it states in bold letters, 'not to be used as amplifier remote turn on.'

[Ethel]

you shouldnt use the electric aerial as a remote turn on for the amp, use the proper wire which is known as amp turn on, you will only have one of those if you have RCA ports on the back of the headunit.

on Alpine headunits the wire is blue/white.

Surely the Aerial wire only provides a 12v signal so it won't matter what you use it for?

im only making reference to the manual that came iwth my alpine headunit, which has a wiring diagram i the back of it and it states in bold letters, 'not to be used as amplifier remote turn on.'

Can't argue with that

I can't see how it could be worse than using the 12v off the car's loom though.

[M44K TS]

might cause some interferance with the raido signal?

[MiNi2iNFiNiTi]

You could tap the leccy antenna wire onto a relay, that way in the future if you want to power up more than one amp (or lights, etc.) you'll be sorted. Amplier remote wires dont tend to carry much voltage I've found, and can't turn on more than one amplifier (by running a short piece of wire between the two amplifier's remote terminals). Using the relay you know your gonna have a nice clean +12V.