how to connect an amp to the battery-Golfmk3

[vwgolfmk1]

hi, i have 6 speakers in my golf, 4x6inch and 2x4inch, i was goin to connect and amp up to the rear speakers cos i got a 2 channel amp at home, should i put the amp under the seat? and how do i get the cable thru the firewall? thanks ross

[The_Hawk]

You wont fit an amp under the seat, at least I didn't think I could, so mine got mounted on the back of the rear seats:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2008/01/IMG_6314-1.jpg

I usually do all my own installations, but in this case I payed AutoBarn $80 to put the amp in and run all the wires... in other words I let them solve the power through the firewall problem. This is that they did:

Fuse mount:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2008/01/IMG_6514-1.jpg

Power goes through behind here: (will have to see if I can dig you up a better photo)
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2008/01/IMG_5720-1.jpg

The RCA's and what not then run down either side of the car under the door scuttle panels, under the rear seats, then into the hatch space.

I did the head unit, speakers and have since changed the amp and added the sub, but I'm still using the original power cables they laid for me. If I had to do it now I probably could since I now know where to put the wires :)

The only issue you will then have is running the speaker wires back to the stock locations, in my case the 6x9's in the parcel shelf are powered so it was nice and easy.

If you want to do it yourself, head to the local auto place and talk to them about what your doing and ask them where they would recommend mounting the amp. If they aren't exactly helpful, go to another place (or make out like you are going to get them to do it and just ask where "they" will be putting it... then go home and do it yourself :D )

[Jondarren]

hi, i have 6 speakers in my golf, 4x6inch and 2x4inch, i was goin to connect and amp up to the rear speakers cos i got a 2 channel amp at home, should i put the amp under the seat? and how do i get the cable thru the firewall? thanks ross

Firstly, i would look at connecting the amp to the front speakers. The reason being is you sit in the front. Why have louder, better quality music behind your ears. You'll notice the difference far more with the fronts amplified.

I always install my amps in the boot of the car, so that way there's no chance of anyone kicking the amp or a wire being pulled out. Then i run the speaker wires back down the car. However, I had subs connected too, so it was better to have it all in one place.

Its OK to install the amp under the front seats, but make sure you can screw it down securely, or get some bloody strong velcro. You'll need to tuck the wires away too, so when performing the install, i'd suggest removing the front seat you're installing under, getting the wires under the carpet and taping down the cables under the carpet. Clean and secure is the way i always go.

As for the firewall, you have a couple of options. Find the biggest grommet that's already there carrying cables from the engine to the cabin. Look on the passenger side if possible (So you can avoid the steering column and ignition cables etc), and also because the battery should be on that side too.

Before feeding any wires, test the hole with a pen to see if it goes right through. Once you've found this, try to feed the cable through. It can be easier to do this from inside the cabin and pull it from the engine bay.

Alternatively, find an open area free from cables and pipes and drill a hole. If you go this method, be sure its OK to drill in that area, and then also smooth off the edge of the hole as it could split the cable if its rough. Use a rubber grommet to seal it.

For an amp, i'd recommend not going less that 4AWG cable for the power. Use the same for the Earth cable too. Connect the power directly to the battery terminal with an inline fuse no less than 1ft from the battery. The earth cable can be attached to the car body at any point. I recommend finding a screw or bolt that's already attached to the car, and fitting a connector to the end of the cable, so you can harness it to the screw.

Right, anything else? Hope that helps!!

Jon......

[vwgolfmk1]

thanks guys, i think im gonna go to a shop and get it done, do you guys recommend any places, in sydney, lane cove, but i don't mind goin for a bit of a trek if its worth it.
ross

[Soundofav6]

I had my amp wired through the rain tray.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2007/12/DSC06114-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2007/12/DSC06096-1.jpg

and amp on the back seat.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2007/12/DSC06107-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2007/12/DSC06109-1.jpg

[glidn]

first of all you can mount your amps under the back seats, there are only 2 things you ahve to keep in mind in doing so.

First off, your map should not be any higher than 57mm or your seats will be a little bit hard to put the seat back down.

2nd, keep in mind there not alot of airflow under there so, if you are driving around merely pop the seat open so that is sits at an angle, the air coming from the air vents under the seats,.

Are enough air flow the seat will catch and force over the amplifier.
hope this helps

Also to run the power cable, just to the side of the aircon pipes running thru the firewall, there is a unused grommet you can open up and used to run the power cable thru the firewall.

[Lorenz]

I just ran my power cable through a grommet on the passengers side of the firewall and along/under the passengers side of the car to the boot for the amp.
Then run the speaker cables/rca cables on the drivers side. Was so simple!

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2008/02/IMG_0602-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2008/02/IMG_0605-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2008/02/IMG_0603-1.jpg

[glidn]

I just ran my power cable through a grommet on the passengers side of the firewall and along/under the passengers side of the car to the boot for the amp.
Then run the speaker cables/rca cables on the drivers side. Was so simple!

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2008/02/IMG_0602-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2008/02/IMG_0605-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2008/02/IMG_0603-1.jpg

yeah just like i mentioned above, one thing to note, if for any reason you ahve to cross any audio cable (ie. RCA, speaker wire) over power wire.
MAKE SURE YOU CROSS AT 90'. that should inhibit any induction noise getting thru.

[decksla]

sorry to dig up an old thread, but i have used the firewall hole to the right of the heater filter (as mentioned above).

however i am not getting a starting a slight startup difficulty in that i need to blip the throttle in order for the car to "turn over" so to speak.

once its idling its fine. any ideas?

(have also posted this on the mk3 section of the forums).

dEx