I'm installing a new radio, amp, and antenna. For the power wire that turns on with the key (usually red), is it ok to use the stock switched power wire from the OEM radio to power the head unit, remote wire to the amp (turns the amp on), and the antenna? (i have an electric hidden antenna that is attached to the glass of the hatch.

Or should i just find separate switched wires that are running in the cabin. I just don't want to draw too much from the radio switch power circuit.

Thanks

 

All aftermarket head units will have a wire coming off the harness, usually denoted as the "Remote" wire and colored blue which should be used for the amp and power antenna. Some even come with a remote AND a line specifically for the power antenna, my Pioneer F90BT does. If not, you can just split the remote lead to both.

I don't know about your power antenna, but the amp expects a lower voltage on the remote line than the 12v accessory wire... it's between 1.5-3.8v off the top of my head. Depending on brand, hooking up a 12v lead to the remote line might damage the amp.

 

thanks for the info. idk what i was thinking, the wiring harness is clearly labeled just as you said.

 

No problem... Every time I pull a new radio out of the box and look at the harness I think to myself "Holy F#$K what a mess! Why am I doing this again?