Car amplifiers provide a lot of amplification power in a small package. But because they're designed to operate on a 12-volt DC power supply, they're not usually used in homes. But with an AC to DC power supply, you can add your car amplifier to your in-home audio arsenal.
Instructions
1. Place your amplifier and power supply in a well ventilated location, near a power outlet. The amplifier and power supply will generate heat when operating, so be sure that there is enough room around the components to let air circulate.
2. Measure the length of power and ground cable you'll need. Your power and ground cables will need to reach easily from the terminals of the power supply to the terminals of the amplifier. Take into account how you'll need to route the cables when measuring.
3. Cut your power cable, ground cable and remote turn-on wire to the correct length. You'll use the measurements taken in Step 2 for this step. The remote turn-on wire is the 16-gauge insulated wire--cut it to the same length as the power cable.
4. Remove 1/2 inch of insulation from both ends of each cable with your wire strippers.
5. Twist together one end of the power and remote turn-on wire. Slip a ring terminal over the end and then crimp the terminal onto the wire with your crimp tool.
6. Crimp a ring terminal on one end of the ground cable.
7. Loosen and remove the wing nuts on your power supply's terminals. Slide the ring terminal of the power cable onto the "+" post, and the ring terminal of the ground cable onto the "-" post. Replace the wing nuts and tighten them until the power and ground cables are securely fastened.
8. Loosen the Phillips screws or hex screws of the amplifier's "+," "-," and "REM" terminals. Slide the bare end of the power cable into the "+" terminal, the bare end of the ground cable into the "-" terminal, and the turn-on lead into the "REM" terminal. Tighten the terminals with your Phillips screwdriver or hex wrench until the wires are securely held in place.
9. Plug the power supply into a wall socket and switch it on. This will turn the amplifier on.
Tags: power supply, ground cable, power cable, ring terminal, into terminal, power ground
