Alternate source for 12v power

vermithrax · 05-10-2012, 10:08 AM

Running an amp this weekend, and probably putting it under the passenger seat. Are there any nearby sources of 12v power to tap into, that turn on and off with the car? The one behind the head unit is already tapped twice, and I would prefer a fresh source.

zakimak · 05-10-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vermithrax

Running an amp this weekend, and probably putting it under the passenger seat. Are there any nearby sources of 12v power to tap into, that turn on and off with the car? The one behind the head unit is already tapped twice, and I would prefer a fresh source.

any amp will likely draw more current than any existing wire can supply to it along with whatever is already there. Run new power wire with proper gauging and fuse directly from the battery. This is a safe way to do it and not at all difficult in the z..do a search. As for remote turn on or accessory power(which don't see how you would need this)... Remote should be off the head unit or lead wire from the Bose amp

vermithrax · 05-10-2012, 12:19 PM

I am running an 8 gauge power wire from the battery, but I need a place to tap into for a 12 V remote turn-on input. I know I can use the one connected to the head unit, but I am already tapped into that one for my steering wheel control also.

I would rather find another line closer to the passenger seat to use, that turns on and off with the car. Bigaudio, do you mean the one under the glove box?

vermithrax · 05-10-2012, 12:41 PM

ok, that just confused me more lol. What is a relay? What does 86,87, 85 etc.. stand for? I have never used a relay before. is there just a single wire I can patch into?

vermithrax · 05-10-2012, 12:55 PM

ok. I am also adding an amplified sub in a little while. will I need another relay for that or will one relay supply multiple amplifiers?

vermithrax · 05-10-2012, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

If you are running your amps off the REM output of your head unit you are not going to need a relay. Even for 3 amps.

what about if I run it off of the power outlet? Is it the one connected to the cigarette lighter plug under the glove?

vermithrax · 05-10-2012, 02:36 PM

Oh damn. Didn't want to start a war guys. Just trying to get my amp wired up.

cheshirecat · 05-10-2012, 03:56 PM

Vertigo · 05-10-2012, 04:05 PM

zakimak · 05-10-2012, 04:19 PM

Agreed with Italy about the relay and its importance when multiple devices are being turned on and don't forget to fuse the relay too while were at it. It is absolutely the right way to do it. That said it does not mean that you cannot get away with using existing remote trigger. What is important is knowing the draw will match what is available. To be safe, a relay will remove any guess work and another benefit is that you can delay turn on and turn off to prevent power spike heard through the speakers. What is confusing is why would the op use accessory power to trigger the amp. By that rationale, every time your car is on, the amp is on irrelevant whether the head unit is on. If this is the case, having the amp in full power mode before other equipment in the chain turned on will cause damage to the system eventually...now I'll sit back and enjoy the fireworks..;-)

vermithrax · 05-10-2012, 05:53 PM

ok, so I can either:

1. Use the remote amp turn on wire on my aftermarket headunit.

2. tap into the power outlet wire, but this will turn it on whenever the car starts regardless of whether the radio is on. This may also cause damage eventually.

3. Use a relay which is connected to the 12v wire that my HU uses.

4. connect a turbine and wiring harness to a small hamster wheel inhabited by hamsters that only run while music is playing.

Pretty much cover it?

So if I have 2 amps, which I eventually will, plus the steering wheel adapter all connected to the remote amp turn on wire behind my aftermarket head unit (blue and white), this is will work? Not saying it is the right way, but...

bigaudiofanat · 05-10-2012, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by italy3541

this is very simple.. just get a relay.. take your remote wire from your radio and hook it into 86 and 87 put 85 to ground and use 30 as your output.. use a 30amp relay this will provide you with all the power u need and its circuit safe.. make sure to fuse the remote wire before hooking into the relay...

or if you prefer 86 remote wire 87 12v constant 85 ground 30 out to amp.. make sure to fuse both power wires before the relay..

I agree, if you have a REM output on your head unit "Blue/white" that to is an option as it was made to turn on amp(s).

bigaudiofanat · 05-10-2012, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vermithrax

ok, so I can either:

1. Use the remote amp turn on wire on my aftermarket headunit.

2. tap into the power outlet wire, but this will turn it on whenever the car starts regardless of whether the radio is on. This may also cause damage eventually.

3. Use a relay which is connected to the 12v wire that my HU uses.

4. connect a turbine and wiring harness to a small hamster wheel inhabited by hamsters that only run while music is playing.

Pretty much cover it?

So if I have 2 amps, which I eventually will, plus the steering wheel adapter all connected to the remote amp turn on wire behind my aftermarket head unit (blue and white), this is will work? Not saying it is the right way, but...

You should not have the steering wheel controls connected to the REM output wire. If you are thinking the red wire is also the amp turn on wire that is incorrect. The blue/white wire should not have anything wired to it right now. Do you have a picture of how you wired your head unit?

vermithrax · 05-10-2012, 06:40 PM

JVC Mobile Entertainment \ KW-R900BT - KW-R900BT

That links to the head unit install PDF. Right now I have the blue and white connected to the blue and blue/white cables of the aftermarket harness, as it said to do in the instructions.

For some reason I thought it was connected to the Metra Axxess unit, but it isnt.

bigaudiofanat · 05-10-2012, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vermithrax

JVC Mobile Entertainment \ KW-R900BT - KW-R900BT

That links to the head unit install PDF. Right now I have the blue and white connected to the blue and blue/white cables of the aftermarket harness, as it said to do in the instructions.

For some reason I thought it was connected to the Metra Axxess unit, but it isnt.

The blue wire on the metra harness is only if you have a factory amp, so you do not need that wire unless you have the bose system.

05-10-2012, 10:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
vermithrax Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 128 Drives: 11 370z/sport silver Rep Power: 13	Alternate source for 12v power Running an amp this weekend, and probably putting it under the passenger seat. Are there any nearby sources of 12v power to tap into, that turn on and off with the car? The one behind the head unit is already tapped twice, and I would prefer a fresh source.

05-10-2012, 04:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
zakimak 6/2/80 - 9/29/14 - RIP Lukas Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 450 Drives: ZR; Q45; VTR1K, GT65 Rep Power: 17	Agreed with Italy about the relay and its importance when multiple devices are being turned on and don't forget to fuse the relay too while were at it. It is absolutely the right way to do it. That said it does not mean that you cannot get away with using existing remote trigger. What is important is knowing the draw will match what is available. To be safe, a relay will remove any guess work and another benefit is that you can delay turn on and turn off to prevent power spike heard through the speakers. What is confusing is why would the op use accessory power to trigger the amp. By that rationale, every time your car is on, the amp is on irrelevant whether the head unit is on. If this is the case, having the amp in full power mode before other equipment in the chain turned on will cause damage to the system eventually...now I'll sit back and enjoy the fireworks..;-) __________________ What doesn't kill you might make you a cripple so chose wisely. Free Stuff for Premium Members - Yeah Really Last edited by zakimak; 05-10-2012 at 04:24 PM.

05-10-2012, 05:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
vermithrax Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 128 Drives: 11 370z/sport silver Rep Power: 13	ok, so I can either: 1. Use the remote amp turn on wire on my aftermarket headunit. 2. tap into the power outlet wire, but this will turn it on whenever the car starts regardless of whether the radio is on. This may also cause damage eventually. 3. Use a relay which is connected to the 12v wire that my HU uses. 4. connect a turbine and wiring harness to a small hamster wheel inhabited by hamsters that only run while music is playing. Pretty much cover it? So if I have 2 amps, which I eventually will, plus the steering wheel adapter all connected to the remote amp turn on wire behind my aftermarket head unit (blue and white), this is will work? Not saying it is the right way, but... Last edited by vermithrax; 05-10-2012 at 05:56 PM.

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05-10-2012, 12:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
vermithrax Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 128 Drives: 11 370z/sport silver Rep Power: 13	I am running an 8 gauge power wire from the battery, but I need a place to tap into for a 12 V remote turn-on input. I know I can use the one connected to the head unit, but I am already tapped into that one for my steering wheel control also. I would rather find another line closer to the passenger seat to use, that turns on and off with the car. Bigaudio, do you mean the one under the glove box?

05-10-2012, 12:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
vermithrax Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 128 Drives: 11 370z/sport silver Rep Power: 13	ok, that just confused me more lol. What is a relay? What does 86,87, 85 etc.. stand for? I have never used a relay before. is there just a single wire I can patch into?

05-10-2012, 12:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
vermithrax Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 128 Drives: 11 370z/sport silver Rep Power: 13	ok. I am also adding an amplified sub in a little while. will I need another relay for that or will one relay supply multiple amplifiers?

05-10-2012, 02:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
vermithrax Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 128 Drives: 11 370z/sport silver Rep Power: 13	Oh damn. Didn't want to start a war guys. Just trying to get my amp wired up.

05-10-2012, 03:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
cheshirecat A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,428 Drives: N54 135i Rep Power: 292

05-10-2012, 04:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
Vertigo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 15,476 Drives: 370z / R32 Rep Power: 220

05-10-2012, 06:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
vermithrax Base Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 128 Drives: 11 370z/sport silver Rep Power: 13	JVC Mobile Entertainment \ KW-R900BT - KW-R900BT That links to the head unit install PDF. Right now I have the blue and white connected to the blue and blue/white cables of the aftermarket harness, as it said to do in the instructions. For some reason I thought it was connected to the Metra Axxess unit, but it isnt.