Rockville: How To Install A Car Amplifier

Introduction:
This article provides a simple, step-by-step guide to installing a car amplifier—perfect for powering a subwoofer. Whether you're upgrading your factory sound system or setting up a new aftermarket setup, the process outlined here is easy to follow, even for beginners.
Requirements:

• Car amplifier (e.g., Rockville dB12 Monoblock)
• Subwoofer
• RCA cables
• Remote wire
• Power wire with fuse
• Ground wire
• Aftermarket head unit or stock radio with line output converter/high-level input
• Basic tools (screwdrivers, wire strippers, drill if needed)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Understand the Basics

An amplifier needs:

• Power – from the car battery (positive terminal)
• Ground – connected to the car’s chassis
• Signal – from your head unit via RCA cables
• Remote Turn-On – from the head unit to control amp power

2. Disconnect the Car Battery

Before beginning any installation:

• Open the car’s hood
• Disconnect the negative terminal of the car battery to avoid electrical shorts

3. Route the Power Wire

• Locate or drill a hole through the firewall to pass the power wire from the battery into the vehicle’s interior.
• Tips:
  • Use pre-existing plugged holes if available
  • Avoid high-heat areas and existing factory wiring
  • Visualize a clean routing path before drilling
• Feed the power wire from the firewall through the car toward the trunk where the amplifier will be mounted

4. Lay All Wiring to the Trunk

You’ll need to run:

• Power wire
• RCA cables
• Remote turn-on wire

Instructions:

• Remove rubber or plastic floor panels along the door sills
• Tuck all wiring underneath these panels neatly
• If using a stock radio, connect an RCA line output converter or use an amp with high-level input
• If using aftermarket head unit, plug RCA cables into the subwoofer output
• Route the remote wire from the head unit wiring harness to the amp

Note:

• High-quality RCA cables allow all wires to run on the same side
• Otherwise, route power and remote on one side, and RCA on the other to avoid signal interference

5. Connect the Ground Wire

• Choose a bolt that’s directly attached to the chassis (e.g., a seat belt bolt)
• Important: Sand away any paint around the bolt to expose bare metal
• Secure the ground wire to the bolt and fasten tightly

6. Wire the Amplifier

Connect the following into the amplifier:

• Power wire
• Ground wire
• Remote wire
• RCA cables

Pro Tip: Use an Allen key to size how much wire insulation to strip before inserting wires into the amp terminals.

7. Reconnect Battery and Install Fuse

• Connect the power wire to an inline fuse near the battery
• Keep the wire between battery and fuse as short as possible
• Secure the fuse inside the vehicle to keep it stable

Fuse Sizing:

• Find the maximum current draw of your amp in the owner’s manual
• Add up current draws if using more than one amp
• Choose a fuse rated just above your total current draw (e.g., for 142 amps, use a 150A fuse)

8. Final Steps

• Reconnect the power wire to the positive terminal of the battery
• Reconnect the negative terminal of the battery
• Turn on the car and ensure the amp power indicator lights up
• Reinstall all previously removed panels carefully, avoiding pinched wires

9. Battery Connection and Fuse Installation

• Install an appropriate fuse holder on the power wire near the battery
  • Keep the wire from the battery to the fuse as short as possible
  • Mount the fuse securely to prevent it from coming loose
• Select the proper fuse size based on the amplifier's maximum current draw
  • Check the amplifier's manual for specifications
  • If installing multiple amplifiers, add their maximum current draws together
• Connect the power wire to the positive terminal of the battery
• Reconnect the negative battery terminal

10. Testing the Installation

• Turn on the car
• Check that the power indicator on the amplifier lights up
• Test the audio system to ensure proper functioning

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: My amp doesn’t turn on—what should I check?

• Confirm the ground wire is touching bare metal
• Check fuse is intact and rated properly
• Verify remote wire is securely connected to head unit’s remote or ACC wire
• Inspect all wire connections at the amp for tightness

Q: I hear a whining noise when driving. What’s wrong?

• Likely ground loop interference. Try:
  • Re-grounding to a better location
  • Separating power wires from RCA cables if not already
  • Using better shielded RCA cables

Q: Can I do this with a factory stereo?

• Yes, but you’ll need a line output converter or an amplifier that supports high-level input

Conclusion:
Installing an amplifier in your car is easier than it sounds when broken into simple steps. Once everything is wired properly and secured, all that’s left is to select the right subwoofer for your amp and enjoy deeper bass.