Stereo amplifier: wiring options

[ack_tm]

Hi all,
I know the topic of stereos and amplifiers have been beaten to death on this board, but I don't think much has been touched on regarding wiring options.

For those who have installed amplifiers in the front trunk, where do you draw your power from? Do you draw power directly from the battery still or from some existing constant wiring (ie headlight motor)?

How are you all passing your wiring from the cabin to the battery area? Are you drilling through the firewall or going through the center tunnel? Does anyone have suggestions as to how I can fish my wiring through the rubber boots that come out of the firewall underneath the car?

Any advice would be appreciated. I want to get my Alpine 5 channel amp running this summer!

Andrew Kwok

[JmuRiz]

I have installed a self-amped sub in my passenger side. I used a hole already in my firewall made by the PO (for the extra gauges in my center console). Using this hole I fed the power wire straight to the battery. My amp has a power switch that only activates when there is a radio signal. Maybe more experienced stereophiles can give you more ideas. Good luck.

Nathan

------------------
'73 2.0 914

[campbellcj]

Mine is running off a lead direct to the battery, which follows the regular harness thru the center tunnel. It is pretty straightfoward.

You can also of course put the amp in the rear trunk but then you have to run a whole bundle of patch cords and speaker leads past the engine compartment to the dash/doors, which ain't that great either.

I think the best overall approach is to move the darn battery to the front trunk...

[chibone_914]

I wired directly from the battery, mounting the amplifier in the front trunk area.

I recommend grounding the amplifier at the battery also. I had to make a few holes, but everything turned out very neat and clean.

Use grommets for the holes also. You don't want a lead chafing and eventually grounding out on the frame.

I'm using a 3 channel 300w Kenwood amplifier with an 8" Kenwood basstube in the front trunk. The front speakers are 5.25" Kenwood 2 ways in the front doors. It sounds GREAT!

Good Luck,
John

------------------
72'914

[B Komar]

I, as many, have pondered the speaker placement in the 914. I have the stock small grilles (nice ones) but they are TOO small. The car I bought from Chuck Bass had pretty cool placement of the speakers in the doors (hidden). I am thinking about using those. The question is where to get good bass. Chibone....how is the bass with the woofer/sub in the front trunk? I dont really want something that rattles the windows of the car next to me but something that is substantial in MY cockpit. Thanks, Brian