Power for a Subwoofer
11-07-22, 04:34 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Power for a Subwoofer
Researching upgrading the stereo in my son's RX7 as a surprise for his 18th birthday. Idea is to do the work over a weekend he is out of town, then hand him a CD of Thats What I call Music 1981 and send him on a drive.
Probably going to be a quick and dirty replacement of the stock speakers, keep the existing upgraded Alpine head that is in there and adding a compact powered sub woofer under seat or in existing box behind seat. Just trying for something better than stock, not aiming to rattle the neighbors windows.
Question specific to our cars... where can I pick up power for the subwoofer and where can I ground it? (Will be located under or behind seat). Did some searching, but the answers assume a basic level of knowledge that I lack. EG if I read that I need to run a 16g wire from the subwoofer to the battery exactly where and how does the phrase 'to the battery' mean? I can work my way under carpets and through the firewall but I assume I am not striping an inch from the end of the wire and clamping it to the battery terminal using the battery wire? (Or is that actually the case and I am way overthinking this). Or, is there an existing wire somewhere inside the cab that I can tap in to? Just upgraded the stereo on my Transit van, but that vehicle had a very easy/accessible switched accessory power connecting point, and very easy/accessible factory ground points. On the RX7... needs some old school been there done that advice.
Probably going to be a quick and dirty replacement of the stock speakers, keep the existing upgraded Alpine head that is in there and adding a compact powered sub woofer under seat or in existing box behind seat. Just trying for something better than stock, not aiming to rattle the neighbors windows.
Question specific to our cars... where can I pick up power for the subwoofer and where can I ground it? (Will be located under or behind seat). Did some searching, but the answers assume a basic level of knowledge that I lack. EG if I read that I need to run a 16g wire from the subwoofer to the battery exactly where and how does the phrase 'to the battery' mean? I can work my way under carpets and through the firewall but I assume I am not striping an inch from the end of the wire and clamping it to the battery terminal using the battery wire? (Or is that actually the case and I am way overthinking this). Or, is there an existing wire somewhere inside the cab that I can tap in to? Just upgraded the stereo on my Transit van, but that vehicle had a very easy/accessible switched accessory power connecting point, and very easy/accessible factory ground points. On the RX7... needs some old school been there done that advice.
11-07-22, 06:11 PM
#2
Rotary Enthusiast
I think you are overthinking it. Run it to the battery IMO, and make sure there is an inline fuse. I have 2 amps-one onder each seat. You could probably find a strong enough positive lead in the main harness, but I think it would interfere with other instruments. I.e. when the amp is pushing hard you may see fluctuation in other areas. like maybe your backlighting will go up and down or with the power being pulled by the amp. just my .02
how many watts is the amp?
how many watts is the amp?
11-07-22, 09:53 PM
#4
Rotary Enthusiast
you could probably find a power source in the car I would think, others here would know better than me. Maybe the power lead to the blower? I know there is one main power under the hood, I just don’t know where in the dash it might be.
not much help..
not much help..
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