A new thread: How to Wire? - Dodge Dakota Forum

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David Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/10/2003 10:43:46	Subject: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: Hello, Once again… This may be a lot to ask, but if anyone has the time or knowledge, I sure would appreciate your advice. I was going to have a buddy install my stereo, but it looks as though his schedule will prevent him from doing that for several weeks and I would rather not wait too much longer. Therefore, I'm gathering the motivation to install the system myself. First, here's the system components: Alpine CDA-9807, with three pre-outs Alpine MRP-F200 4-channel amp 4 Alpine Type-S, 6.75 speakers 1 Kicker Solo-Baric L5 8" The wiring of this system is where I am getting confused. Here's what I would like to do: Power the front Alpine speakers with two channels of the Amp. Bridge the other 2 channels to power the subwoofer. Lastly, power the rear speakers with only the head unit. I have, of course, manuals for all the equipment, but I'm not certain I'm interpreting the wiring correctly. So one of my basic questions is: 1.) How do I wire the Amp to bridge the two channels? I realize that this is likely dependent on the brand, so if anyone is familiar with the Alpine amp listed above, I'd appreciate your thoughts. I'm just not sure about what RCA interconnects I should be using and how to run it from the head unit and to the amp. 2.) I noticed on my head unti that I can only use one set of outputs, either the Speaker output or the Low Level output. With that in mind, how do I run the rear speakers using the head unit power if I can't use the speaker output? Lastly, a summary of the wiring for the four speakers would be appreciated. Thanks again for everyone's help… David
02CC4.7 Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/10/2003 11:49:03	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: David, to answer the first part "Here's what I would like to do: Power the front Alpine speakers with two channels of the Amp. Bridge the other 2 channels to power the subwoofer." Use the "Subwoofer pre-out" (sometimes referred to as non-fading pre-out) to go to the rear input on the amp, and use the "Front Pre-out" to go to the front input. Then run the 2 front channels of the amp, back up to your wiring harness and hook it up to the front speakers. Use the rear channel of the amp to power your subwoofer (to bridge it, you just hook the pos. speaker wire to the pos. on one of the rear channels, and the neg. speaker wire to the neg on the other rear channel. Make sure the crossover for the subwoofer is on low-pass, and the crossover for the front speakers are on on hi-pass.) For the rear speakers, just use the rear speaker wires from the head unit, and connect them to the rear speaker wires on the wiring harness. Hopefully you are using a wiring harness, and not cutting the factory plug off. "I noticed on my head unti that I can only use one set of outputs, either the Speaker output or the Low Level output. With that in mind, how do I run the rear speakers using the head unit power if I can't use the speaker output?" I believe that is incorrect, you should be able to use the rca cables, and the speaker output wires. as long as your not hooking those together or something. In my own personal opinion, this is not a good way of hooking up a stereo. I would advise you get a second amp for the subwoofer, as I don't think that amp will have enough power to push the sub properly. Good Luck. Tony
David Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/10/2003 12:42:25	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: First of all, thanks for the reply... Second of all--Yikes! A second amp? :-) I'm assuming either a mono or 2-channel Amp, but wanting to stay Alpine, I'm looking at another "Honey, I just need this one more component and I'm done buying for the system" and at a substantial cost. I regret purchasing the F200 amp knowing what I do now. Unfortunately, I'm stuck with it at this point. David
02CC4.7 Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/10/2003 15:21:33	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: If your only running one sub, then a mono amp would be good, but if you got a 2 channel, that would give you room for future upgrades. I know a guy that can get Kenwood, Rockford Fosgate, MTX, and Sony amps at wholesale prices, if your intrested in any of those, and get permission from the boss, you can let me know what you want, and I can get you a much better price than what you might pay at a store. Don't get me wrong, I didn't mention getting a second amp so I could try to sell you one, just figured I would mention it to you. If your intrested, send me an e-mail.
David Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/10/2003 15:50:36	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: Thanks, 02...I'll send you an email... But I'll tell you, my brain is starting to slosh around in my head with all the reading I've done about ohm this and ohm that, wire to this wire to that :-) If I ever get this all together, it's going to be as close to a miracle as I'll get in life :-) David
David Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/10/2003 16:09:17	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: And I'm getting confused about the 2-ohm/4-ohm RMS power. Can I wire the Solobaric for a 2-ohm load to get the most out of the mono amp or 2-channel amp I buy? David
02CC4.7 Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/10/2003 16:36:20	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: Is your sub rated for a 2 ohm load? if so, I believe this is how you do it, and if I'm wrong I'm sure someone will let you know very fast. I know it works though, cause this is how mine are hooked up, so heres goes. You should have 4 speaker wire connections on your sub, 2 negatives, and 2 positives. run a wire from the positive on your amp to one positive connection on your sub, then with a short wire, run from the negative on your sub to the other positive on your sub, and then the remaining negative on your sub to the other negative on your amp. I think, and I'm not 100% sure, that will give you a 2 ohm load, someone please let me know if I'm wrong on this.
David Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/10/2003 16:42:33	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: My apologies...I meant to say a 4-Ohm load, which my Amp can handle and which the mono Amps I am looking at can handle. I think I ought to just take a Ohm break for today :-) David
02CC4.7 Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/10/2003 17:08:51	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: LOL, yeah I know what you mean man, I don't fully understand the ohm thing myself, but I did a lot of research when I hooked mine up, and it sounds good. From what I can gather, the lower the ohms the less resistance you have, and therefore, the more power you will get from your amp. I have a kenwood amp, going to 2 10" RF HX2's, then I cutout the speaker holes in the ext cab, and put some 6x9's in there, and added an infinity component set in the front. I got an mtx crossover under the pass. seat, and a sony amp under the driver seat. My kenwood amp is mounted in the sub box I made under the rear seat. VERY TIGHT FIT. Another thing to remember, is to run your power and ground on one side of the vehicle, and the speaker wires on the other side of the vehicle, this will cut down on interference, and create less engine noise.
David Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/11/2003 09:39:50	Question #1000: IP: Logged Message: The Kicker Solobaric I bought is a 2-Ohm DVC. Anyway to wire that so it's a 2-Ohm load into the amp. I ask that because most of these 2-channel and mono amps offer a lot more power bridged into at 2-Ohms. David
02CC4.7 Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/11/2003 10:42:11	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: David, look up a few post where I explain how to run the wires to the sub, I think that gives you a 2 ohm load. To get the bridged output, most amps have labeled which channels to hook up to in order to get the bridged output. Go to that website I gave you, and look under amplifier bridging. The diagram at the bottom of the page shows a good example of how to bridge an amp.
David Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/11/2003 14:29:26	Here's the plan... IP: Logged Message: My one big mistake was not to plan my system first. If I would have, I would not have first purchased the MRP-F200 Alpine amp or the Kicker 2-ohm DVC. Since the Alpine amps make the most power driving a 2-ohm load, I'm returning the Kicker 8" L5 DVC 2-ohm and purchasing the 8" L5 DVC 4-ohm so I can wire it in parallel to create a 2-ohm impedance. Then I will purchase an appropriate amp (the MRP-M350 Alpine comes to mine). Now since I'm adding another, should I go with a power distribution box, or just a good audio battery terminal with 2 8-gauge connectors? Confused, but recovering, David
02CC4.7 Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/11/2003 15:07:59	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: I distribution block would be ideal, and safer if you get a fused one, but it just depends on how you want to do it. I have two distribution blocks. I took the bottom peice from inside the console, and mounted my power and ground distribution blocks in there. I drilled some holes for the wires, and it looks pretty cool. When I get rid of the truck, I'll just put the bottom piece back in to cover up the holes. One thing you said kinda confused me, your gonna take the 2-ohm sub back, and get a 4-ohm sub, and then wire it in parallel to get a 2-ohm load. I might have misunderstood, but I would think you would want to keep the 2-ohm sub that you have. Let me know how it turns out. Tony
JMII Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/12/2003 10:47:07	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: Slow down here... A 4 channel amp is all you need! I'm running four speakers plus a sub off a 4 channel amp and it's perfectly fine, remember rear speakers are for fill only they should not be as loud as the front speakers. I forget the specs of your amp from the first round of posts but I remembered your sub would be slightly underpowered but it's no big deal. You do not need a 2nd mono amp! Your going to be running the front speakers off 2 of the channels in stereo and the rear channel will be bridged to the sub. The rear speakers will be running off the decks power. NOW if you can NOT run pre-out AND speakers outputs at the same time THEN you'll need another amp. I've never heard of a radio that can't do both!!! that would be very odd :( As far as the sub and ohm load goes... are you looking at the stereo or MONO output from the amp. Most amps put thier most power when bridged mono is into a 4 ohm, which would be the Dual 2 ohm subwoofer model. Now if your going to go with a mono amp (just so everything can be a touch louder) then a 2 ohm might be best in which you need the Dual 4 ohm model, wired to a 2 ohm final load. If you go with the power distribution block you'll need a heavier gauge wire from the battery to the block, like maybe 4 or 6 gauge depending on the distance. Fuse it at the battery! Fuses protect the vehicle NOT the amp actually. - John http://home.mindspring.com/~jntmoore/truck/home.html
David Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/12/2003 14:29:19	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: Once again, thanks for your comments JM... Well, I did go out and purchase a mono amp from Alpine. I figured if I am going to do this, I might as well get the most out of the components that I can. I exchanged the 2-ohm DVC for the 4-ohm DVC so I could get the most out of the Amp that I could. I'm also thinking about putting it all together myself. The guy I who was going to help it has a busier schedule than the Presidant. So I have a few questions about wiring: 1.) There's no problem going with two, 8 gauge power leads to the battery? 2.) Do I have to ground both Amps separetly or can I ground to the same point with them both? 3.) Since I have two amps and need a remote signal to turn them both on, how would I go about the wiring--can I simply just join both remote leads and connect to the head unit? 4.) I've seen different maximum fuse ratings for 8 gauge amp install kits--the one I have at home now has a 60 amp fuse, while some of the kits I see have 40 amp fuses. I'm assuming the only difference is that the 40 amp offers better circuit protection... Please, the next time I decide to add an after-market audio system, someone remind me to plan first and buy the components later :-) David
02CC4.7 Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/12/2003 14:49:17	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: 1.There is no problem using two 8ga power leads to the battery. 2.I think the best way to ground would be using one common ground source, instead of two seperate ones. 3.You should be able to join the two remote leads, and connect those to the HU. 4.If your running less than 40 amps total, then a 40 amp fuse will be fine, which if you have two amps, you should be ok. I have a 50 amp on my power wire, and and runnin 2 amplifiers and a crossover (not sure exactly how many amps they are pulling) and I've never had any problems. David, what year is your dak. I have an 02, and when I put a kenwood HU in it, I had to get an adapter for the antenna, so if your dak is a new model, ask you local shop if you need one. JM always has good information, lets hear what he's got to say about this now. Later David
David Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/12/2003 15:51:54	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: How's it going, Tony... Actually, this week at work has been devoted to my truck stereo :-) I own a 2000 Dakota. In regards to the multiple power leads to the battery, is it adviseable to purchase a battery terminal connector, or is it simply not needed? David
02CC4.7 Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/12/2003 17:03:52	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: Well, I wouldn't say it was needed for operation, but it could make it easier to hook up the wires. I looked at my battery before I got one, and noticed that I was gonna have to cut off the rubber surround at the end of the factory wiring, and all that jazz, so I looked at other options, and found than one of the wires that connects to the battery is about 10" long, and then connects (and I'm just going by memory here since my truck is downstairs in the parking garage) to something inside the black box right beside the battery. I popped off the cover to that box, and realized I could connect my power wire on that terminal much easier than on the battery itself, and it would look much better, since I wouldn't have to cut the factory wiring up. I did have a gold plated wiring connector on my 4ga power wire.
JMII Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/12/2003 20:35:38	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: 1.) No problem at all... well except you have to get TWO wires thru the firewall then which might be a hair tricky. I had a hell of time just getting my single 8 gauge thru there! 2.) Either will work. Sometimes grounding them together stops noise other times it makes the noise worst. Ground them to solid, clean metal (sand off the paint) as close to the amps as possible with the shortest wire (same gauge as your power wire) is the general rule. 3.) Yep, actually you can daisy chain the connectioin - run ONE wire from the radio to the 1st amp, then splice into that connection to add the other amp, you do not need to run two wires to the radio. 4.) Fuses protect the vehicle! The fuse will keep the wiring from passing too much current and catching FIRE. Thus if you have two kits and one has a 40 amp rating and the other has a 60 amp rating get the 60 amp one! It can simply handle more juice. Make sure the amp draws LESS than this amount of course. If you decide to run ONE bigger wire (4 gauge) instead two smaller ones you'll have to add the loads of the amps together and then get the right sized kit. "someone remind me to plan first and buy the components later" That's rule #1 and most common mistake I see people make. A little bit of plan goes a long way :) As far as the power wires go: I connected my power wire directly to the battery via a gold ring terminal. I just removed the bolt holding the factory terminal on slipped my ring terminal onto that bolt and tighten it back down. I cut a small slit into the factory red plastic cover to allow the 8 gauge wire to come out. I recommend connecting directly to the battery - the factory wiring has enough of a current load already with the lights, A/C, power windows, ect. ALSO - do not run the power wire next to the RCA signal cables, that's an easy way for noise to get into the system.
David Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/12/2003 21:31:21	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: John and Tony... What can I say? If you were both here, I'd give you each a massive hug :-) I have learned so much in this thread and the other thread below. What looked to be a task I couldn't and wouldn't want to tackle myself, is becoming a task I'm actually looking forward to doing myself. Somehow I think I'll have additionla questions, so I absolutely forbid you two from going on any long sabbaticals :-) Thanks again, David
JMII Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/13/2003 10:26:47	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: I'll pass on the hug... but feel free to send cash ;) LOL
David Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 6/13/2003 13:18:03	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: You didn't specify what kind of cash, so I'll send you some that'll easily buy you Boardwalk the next time you play Monopoly :-) Now is that gratitude or what? :-) David
gripweed Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 8/05/2003 03:06:54	RE: A new thread: How to Wire? IP: Logged Message: Hi, I too have an Alpine mrp-f200 and will be running 2 front speakers and a sub off of it. In order to bridge the rear channels for the sub, is it simply a matter of connecting the sub neg lead to the rear left neg and sub pos lead to the rear right pos speaker output? Do I have to use a y connector on the amp inputs? If that's the correct connection, why wouldn't I get any sound from my sub? My ignorance is showing. Thanks
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