Amplifier Safety Tips

Determining the capabilities of your vehicle

Fuse amplifier’s power wire at the battery

Be sure to fuse the power wire within 12” of the car's battery. This will protect the car's battery in case of a short circuit between the power amplifier and battery. THIS IS A MUST, the amplifier's built-in fuse will only protect the power amplifier not the car's battery!

Use high grade wire and connectors

Use Proper power wire size for maximum current transfer and safety. Improper size power and ground wire can reduce the amplifiers power and poses a risk of damage to the amplifier and the vehicles electrical system. Please follow the recommended "Amplifiers Power Cable Requirements" to ensure maximum power transfer and safety. To ensure maximum power transfer and secure safe connections, it is recommended to use high grade barrier spades (for connection at amplifier) and terminal rings (for connection at battery).

Do not run any wires underneath vehicle

Exposed wires have a chance of being cut or damaged. It is best to run all wires through the vehicle under the carpet and/or side panels. This lends to a cleaner installation and less risk of damage.

Use caution when mounting amplifier

Remember there are many electrical wires, gas lines, vacuum lines, brake lines as well as a gas tank in the automobile. Make sure you know where they are when mounting the amplifier to avoid puncturing lines, shorting wires or drilling holes in the gas tank.

Run signal wires away from electrical wires

To avoid possibility of induced noise from the car's electrical system (i.e. popping noises or engine noise), run wires away from the car's electrical wiring.

Make all ground wires as short as possible and at the same point

In order to reduce the chance of ground loops (i.e. engine noise), make the grounding wire as short as possible to reduce the wire's resistance. Also, when using multiple components, make sure all units are grounded at the same point.

Avoid sharp edges when running the wires

When laying wiring inside the car, watch for welding burs in channels throughout the car. If necessary adequately grind, finish sand or fill in around any ruff spots so wires will not be punctured by sharp protrusions.  To avoid the possibility of power, signal or speaker shorts, be careful not to allow the amplifiers wires to come in contact with sharp edges. Use a grommet to protect the wire when running through the fire wall.