Wiring amp to 12v socket in boot.

[LlamaLord]

I have had a search and can't find a thread which seems to answer my question... I'm putting an amp and sub in the boot of my new Leon and can remember the hassle of running a power lead from the battery through the car so looking for any way to minimise my work!

Basically, there is a 12v socket in the boot, live and earth wiring done, right? Can I cut the socket off and use those to wire the amp?

All help accepted!

 

[xpa]

NO

It wont be rated to take the power, just drill through the bulkhead into the engine bay?

Just DO NOT wire it to anyway random cables that you find, It will cause you major problems!

 

[AshFR]

Nooooooooo! Dont do it. That socket is only designed for a much lower ampage than the AMP. You will just keep popping fuses. Compare the size of the cables that your using from the amp with the cables on back of 12v socket, you will see the 12v socket ones are much smaller. Also your going to have to run some cables to the headunit anyway. Its only an extra <2ft to the battery

 

[LlamaLord]

Well the headunit is wired using the existing wire loom with an adapter, nice and simple. It was just a thought with the 12v socket but the more i've thought about the more I don't like it, hence the question!

I'm thinking of running it under the car, don't shoot me, i've seen it done to great effect just have to make sure it's away from heat etc!

 

[xpa]

Well dude its up to you really, I would always run it either through the bulkhead or down the wing and through an gromet in there (only a could of cars have that though).

If your not confident take it to a garage as they will probably be happy with 15-20 to just drill a hole then do the rest yourself.

 

[LlamaLord]

I've only had a quick look for a gromet through the bulkhead, had to drill through the previous car, was just being lazy I think. Ta for letting my bounce the idea but might be wise to stick to the old ways.

 

[ben450]

Run it under the car? Are you joking I would do it properly or not bother.

Whatever you do don't use cooking oil in the engine because you can't be bothered to buy any lol

 

[AshFR]

Run it under the car? Are you joking I would do it properly or not bother.

Whatever you do don't use cooking oil in the engine because you can't be bothered to buy any lol

Exactly what i was going to say

 

[LEE69]

Did you know the battery supply is already in the car? Under the steering wheel area

 

[AshFR]

Did you know the battery supply is already in the car? Under the steering wheel area

Thats interesting but looking at the cables out of it, they are nowhere near big enough to take a sub amp. If you compare the cables from amp to those under steering wheel, they are much bigger.

 

[LEE69]

Doesn't matter cables coming out i's the cables supplying it the main feed from the battery to the car

 

[AshFR]

Doesn't matter cables coming out i's the cables supplying it the main feed from the battery to the car

Ah rite, i cant see the incoming cable so cant say much I will have a look saturday when im fitting my sub

 

[LEE69]

If not you can come in the plastic from the engine bay then behind the glove if you do want a direct fit to battery.

 

[LlamaLord]

I do remember seeing that pic come up in another thread when i was searching, where would you wire an amp into that block?

Also in terms of coming through the plastic from the bay do you need to take the window wipers off, again something I remember reading.

There's nothing wrong with wiring under the car, some manufacturers have run wiring that way.

 

[ben450]

I do remember seeing that pic come up in another thread when i was searching, where would you wire an amp into that block?

Also in terms of coming through the plastic from the bay do you need to take the window wipers off, again something I remember reading.

There's nothing wrong with wiring under the car, some manufacturers have run wiring that way.

You do it that way then.

 

[AshFR]

There's nothing wrong with wiring under the car, some manufacturers have run wiring that way.

Yes if the in a suitable enclosure (plastic or metal covering) and designed for outside weather so frost, water, etc... wont damage it. I know were only working with 12v here and not 230v but still a risk of fire. Im an electrician aswell which backs it up

It would be a much longer job, harder and more expensive to do it that way. I prefer to keep all my cables inside if possible.

 

[wayne n]

I've installed loads of amps and the first thing i want to know is what amp fuses does it have, then i can work-out the current draw and the size cable it will require. If your running over 1500w rms you will defo benefit from doing the big 3. Alt+ to batt+,batt- to chassis- and engine- to batt-. If you near wakefield give me a shout and i will help you do the install.