Wiring amp- Advice and Questions

[Jamie-b]

Hey,
Today my audio gear arrived, I got a 2CH amp 10" woofer and head unit.
I didn't have time to check em out because i had work, but i will be doing the install tomorrow.
I have never done anything like this, but i have searched and read a few guides, and im sure i can figure it out. Still, i have a few questions.

Where is the best place to mount The amps?
I was thinking 2Ch amp under passenger seat, and monoblock amp on my woofer box.
But under the seat would the amp heat up? Could be difficult to install and tune, and the mono-block on the woofer box would be under the ute tray, could it easily get damaged?

My brother said that because im installing a sub, i will need to remove the rear vision mirror on the windscreen, because it can vibrate and put a crack in my windscreen, is this 4real?

My head unit only has one preout, im going to be hooking up a monoblock, and a 2ch amp, does this mean ive Fu*ked up and im going to need to buy a new headunit that has 2 preouts?

Rca cables? are these just used to hook the headunit> Amps and subwoofer>amp?
Would these have been included with the sub or amp?
Can i use regualar tv av type cords? If not what spacific type do i need?

Also does anybody have any tips or anything?
I wont be using a wiring kit, i already have plenty of wire (Old mans a sparky)

Also what settings do i tune into the amps?
It had pass filters and heaps of diff stuff, really no idea when it comes to that stuff..

[acarmody]

I can't help you with placement in a ute as I have never had one.

Your brother is wrong. Firstly, it is illegal to remove the rearview mirror. Secondly, the mirror is much more likely to break than a reinforced shatter-proof windscreen don't ya think. Third, there are people here who run systems upwards of three thousand watts of pure bass and they don't have any (many ) issues.

For your preout issue just use a set of RCA splitters, 1 male to 2 female is the correct one I think. That way one set of RCAs to each amp. For RCA cable I am pretty sure you have to buy RCA cable as it is the best for the job, also I think AV cable has a thicker centre. RCA cable is just signal cable, goes from H/U to amps, then use normal speaker/power cable to connect amps to speakers, and no it won't come with amps or subs.

For tips, make sure that you use the correct size fuse when hooking up the power cable. There should be a fuse as close to the battery as you can make it, your Old Man should know that but still....

To tune the amps make sure that the speaker amp is on HPF (high pass filter) and set it to whatever frequency you don't want the amp to play below, 80hz works for me as subs take over below that. The opposite applies for the monoblock. Set it to LPF (if it has one) and set it to whatever frequency you don't want to play above, again 80hz works for me. Setting gains is a little more complicated but can be done easily enough. But here is some advice, take the car all put together are working to a car audio store and ask them to tune it for you, it will be pretty cheap as you dfon't have a high end system, so about 1/2 hour or less, so about $40-50. They will get it running better than you could hope to achieve (no offence) and will ensure that you don't accidently set something wrong and hurt your speakers.

Need any more help just ask.

[Fonzie]

My brother said that because im installing a sub, i will need to remove the rear vision mirror on the windscreen, because it can vibrate and put a crack in my windscreen, is this 4real?

Sounds like crap to me... My mirror and windscreen are fine.

My head unit only has one preout, im going to be hooking up a monoblock, and a 2ch amp, does this mean ive Fu*ked up and im going to need to buy a new headunit that has 2 preouts?

That's one method. You could get a splitter, and run both amps off that single channel. Or you could get a high input thing (damnit forgot its name) but it basically takes the signal from the amplified wires of the head unit, and amps it down to preamp level. Not as good a quality though... Otherwise, yeah, buy a new unit.

Rca cables? are these just used to hook the headunit> Amps and subwoofer>amp?
Would these have been included with the sub or amp?
Can i use regualar tv av type cords? If not what spacific type do i need?

Used from preamp > Amp... Amp>Sub is speaker wire. They wouldn't have been included with sub or amp, they come with wiring kits. I'm pretty sure you can't use the tv ones (Someone prove me wrong?), they aren't too expensive though...

Also does anybody have any tips or anything?
I wont be using a wiring kit, i already have plenty of wire (Old mans a sparky)

Don't, for the love of god, use shitty wire. You need decent gauge, With those two amps I'd say 8 gauge MINIMUM, comfortable at 6 or 4. Don't run the power wire in the same cable tray as the RCA cables, you'll get interference that way. Make sure you properly ground the head unit and amps, and make sure you reground the battery. Use proper speaker wire between amps and drivers (Speakers).. Try jaycar for it.

Also what settings do i tune into the amps?
It had pass filters and heaps of diff stuff, really no idea when it comes to that stuff..

High and low pass filters basically separate the sound ranges... Meaning the bass goes to the sub, and the mid-high stuff goes elsewhere. It depends on amps and speakers... But generally speaking, the high pass filter wants to be lower than the low pass filter, so there is some cross over between the drivers. Play with it see what sounds best without blowing s*** up.

[Jamie-b]

Don't run the power wire in the same cable tray as the RCA cables

What do you mean cable tray? Do you just mean alongside/near each other?

nd make sure you reground the battery

Do you mean run another cable from battery - to a different ground point?

You need decent gauge, With those two amps I'd say 8 gauge MINIMUM

Do you mean running from h-unit to amps, and for power and ground cables?

I got heaps of speaker wire with My speakers would this wire be good enough to run from amps to drivers? If not what guage/type would you recommend?

I live in a fair small town so the only auto shop is a autopro, and they usually have shit all in stock.
There is a audio/visual shop, so im hoping they will have this stuff..
Just to make sure i have the right things, i will need:
2 sets of rca cables
Plenty of speaker cable
Is there anything else?

[Philthy]

There is a audio/visual shop, so im hoping they will have this stuff..
Just to make sure i have the right things, i will need:
2 sets of rca cables
Plenty of speaker cable
Is there anything else?

You will alse need large guage power wire, a distro block, 2 runs of a smaller guage power wire, earth wires the same size as the 2 runs of power wire, a fuse holder and fuse, ring terminals for the battery and earths. As has been said, don't cheap out and not use fuses or too small power/earth wire or your next post will be wondering why your car is a heap of smoldering metal

[Jamie-b]

You will alse need large guage power wire, a distro block, 2 runs of a smaller guage power wire, earth wires the same size as the 2 runs of power wire, a fuse holder and fuse, ring terminals for the battery and earths. As has been said, don't cheap out and not use fuses or too small power/earth wire or your next post will be wondering why your car is a heap of smoldering metal

Only thing i didnt get was a fuse now ill have to wait for monday..
What is the distro block for/do?

[sweefu]

Distro block = distribution block. it is used to properly split power. Eg:
run 4awg power wire to a distro block, then out the other side of the distro block runs 2 x 8awg power cable to the amps

[Philthy]

Distro block = distribution block. it is used to properly split power. Eg:
run 4awg power wire to a distro block, then out the other side of the distro block runs 2 x 8awg power cable to the amps

Yeah, sorry I didn't explain that very well - was in a bit of a hurry