Car Audio/Amplifier Guru?

[HangOver]

Hi
I have a small kenwood amp it has the standard positive & negative power terminals and a Power Control Wire.

The question is do I HAVE TO connect the Power Control Wire to anything, and if so what?

A bit more info….
I have wired up the amp but when I turn it on I get no output, (have checkd power and input signal is present). I know this power control wire should go to a head unit but am not using one, (using PC speaker output). I am not sure if it needs to connect to something to make it work or if the amp is just buggered.

[rovercare]

Its a 12Vdc+ trigger wire usually supplied from the head unit, but any accessory source will do;)

[EchiDna]

to test it, touch the trigger wire to the positive, it should switch it on.

[HangOver]

the amp is powered direct from the aux battery via a breaker & physical switch. So i can just alter the positive wire to pass voltage to the positive terminal and the power control terminal on the amp?

So just add power to the power control terminal?

Just want to double check before I zap it ;)

Thanks

[Sprint]

when you ran the RCA's for the amp, you added a remote wire, right?

[HangOver]

when you ran the RCA's for the amp, you added a remote wire, right?

errrrmmm a what?

guess thats a no.

[EchiDna]

well there are a few types, some require a momentary current, others a constant current... do a quick search on google with your exact model amp, you can be sure the manual is there somewhere!

[Sprint]

i've yet to see an amp that isnt either on all the time (no remote wire) or needs +12v to trigger it

[HangOver]

so maybe if I just run a + from the RCA might that be enough to trigger it?

at least it cant hurt it can it?

[Sprint]

with the RCA lead, you need to run a single wire, just thin stuff will do as it carries sfa current, from the head unit to the amp

i'd try to avoid using the wire thats often moulded into the RCA's as an "extra" wire for this purpose as it *may* cause unwanted electrical noise

[DEFENDERZOOK]

the trigger wire should be connected to either the head units trigger output...if it has one.......
or to an ignition feed.......so it only switches on when the key is in the ignition.....




in plain english.......the amp has power to it all the time.......but it will only switch on when you supply +ve 12v to the trigger wire......

it has a built in relay......

[HangOver]

thank you all.
There is no head unit so I'll run a 12v+ wire to the control.

Thanks

[CaverD3]

Kenwood site should have a downloadable version of the owners manual which should tell you how to install. Try the US or Global site. What is the model No.? I'll have look.:)

[HangOver]

I have downloaded the manual and it just says connect the control to the head unit but as I have no head unit, there lies the problem, (i think).
The model number is: Kenwood KAC-5203

[CaverD3]

Look at page 4. I tried to cut and paste but doc is encrypted.
Says you attach to positive of ignition controlled power.

[EchiDna]

ok given you are using a car PC, there is a simple way to get the amp to turn on only when the PC is on... use a 12volt feed from a spare hard drive power socket in the PC itself to trip the power relay.

[rovercare]

to trip the power relay.

Wrong terminology;)

[rovercare]

Glad to see I cleared this up in the first reply, its a trigger wire, either a trigger from the head unit or 12V+ from an accessory source

What was I doing tonight? installing an amp and sublawoooofer in my Rangie:D

[EchiDna]

Wrong terminology;)

geez you aint wrong there! what was I on at the time ?? :eek:

[rovercare]

geez you aint wrong there! what was I on at the time ?? :eek:

Dunno, but can I have some?:D

I knew what you meant, but just thought I;d point it out:)

[HangOver]

thanks for all the suggestions.
i'll rig something up with a 12v+ to the, control/trigger/terminal/metal thingy ;)

[DEFENDERZOOK]

you can connect it to an accessories feed......or ignition feed......
so you dont have to worry about turning it on and off......



or....as i used to do.......you can hook it up to a switch and manually switch it on and off.......
untill one day you forget to turn it off.......and the next day it wont start due to a flat battery.....




the easiest and safest way would be to the accessories.......

[CaverD3]

you can connect it to an accessories feed......or ignition feed......
so you dont have to worry about turning it on and off......
the easiest and safest way would be to the accessories.......


:imwithstupid::thumbsup:

Manuel says to do that as well. :)