View Full Version : Stereo Wiring
MaestroMatt
9th June 2003, 12:24
I know there are at least a couple of you that are pretty nifty with re-wiring your Maestros so hopefully you can offer some advice here. When I fit my new stereo to my 1983VP, I want it to have its own independent intermittent power supply and its own 10A fuse. This is because I really don't want it to share a fuse with the clock in the trip-computer - on my 1.3Ls I blew many a 5A fuse and a few clock illumination bulbs - as it is pretty powerful and draws too high a current to do so. The problem is, I am not really sure how to go about doing this. A step-by-step guide would be much appreciated!
Simon
10th June 2003, 21:17
Something sounds wrong here...What make is the audio, and what is the rated power output. I have a Philips 4x45W unit on the standard wiring, covered by a 5A fuse and it has never blown a fuse yet. You'll need to lay on a supply direct from the ignition switch (the thickest light green wire you can find) and fit an in line 10A fuse to that - if you must, but for most purposes the standard set up should be good enough for most head units. Amplifier wiring is a different matter however. Have you got a separate amp? The radio might have a separate fuse and that isn't anywhere near 10A.
I reckon if it keeps blowing fuses it might be the installation that's at fault. I've seen some real horrors, even some so-called professional fit attempts. Have a look at the back and see what its like. If its messy and doesn't look logical then there's a good chance that corners have been cut.
topgear
10th June 2003, 22:18
my fuse blows if i put the volume up to high, mainly because i have the original speakers in the back, and some 80watts in the front! Slight difference there, but fortunately i know the volume limit these days and can avoid the chance of my own bonfire inside my vandenplas - shame really, it gets cold in the winter with those leather seats!:D
MaestroMatt
11th June 2003, 09:44
It is a Sony Minidisc 4x50W headunit connected to 2x80W front speakers and 2x50W (I think) rear speakers. It has a 10A fuse in the back of it. When listening at very high volume (as I like to do from time to time...) It has blown the 5A fuses in two different 1.3Ls it has been installed in - the first installation was by Halfrauds and the second by myself. In the past, I have replaced the fuse in the fusebox with a 10A which did lead to the illumination light in the clock blowing (but only once!) but I don't want to do this in my new car where the clock is in the trip computer. All advice appreciated here.
Liam
11th June 2003, 12:04
I would expect a 4x45w head unit to blow the standard 5A fuse especially with all four speakers connected as it will draw a lot of current when turned up. Replaceing the fuse with a 10A should be fine as long as the cable is thick enough. This should not effect the clock or illumination bulbs, no matter what the fuse size is they will still get 12v and should work fine. When you say it blew the illumination bulbs I think this is an unrelated event. If the bulbs are 12v, inorder to blow them you would have to apply a higher voltage to flow more current which can't be done from a 12v battery. A fuse does not set the amount of current that flows in a circuit, it just simply cuts off the supply should it exceed the rateing of the fuse.
HTH
Liam.
Simon
12th June 2003, 21:10
Oh well I can't have had my stereo (Philips RC578 with additional active subwoofer controlled by elec. aerial signal and powered by same ignition controlled feed as radio/clock etc, plus 10CD multichanger powered off radio too) up that loud then! Yes by all means replace the fuse and if in doubt replace the supply wire with 28/030 gauge cable (preferably light green) especially as it has popped fuses in two previous cars already. I could have sworn my radio's internal fuse was less than 10A, I'm getting worried - maybe I'll have a look. It's never blown a fuse though...(yet!)
Liam
13th June 2003, 09:47
Ah just remembered something else. If you look at the list of fuses inside the fuse box lid you will notice that there are two fuses which mention that they feed the radio. This is because the stereo has two feeds. A perminant live, this is the feed that carries all the current so this feed will need a 10A fuse. The other feed is a trigger. This becomes live when the key is turned, the standard fuse can remain in this feed as very little current flows, it is just a signal to the radio to tell it that you have turned the key.
Hope this makes sense,
Liam.
HelenB
28th June 2003, 18:50
Hi, I've had the same problem with my new all-singing-all-dancing pioneer cd player blowwing both the original 3amp fuse, and a 5amp fuse. Did replacing the fuse with a 10amp work?, and did you need to replace the supply wire?, before I go ahead and replace my fuse with a 10amp.
MaestroMatt
30th June 2003, 10:15
Hi Helen, in both the 1.3s I have owned, the fuse that blew was the intermittant power supply, not the continuous 12v. I am not sure Liam is right about which way round they are - as far as I know, the continuous 12v supply shares a fuse with the clock and is needed so that the clock remembers the time when the ignition is off and also so that the stereo remembers the presets, resume information etc when you are not using it. The intermittant supply that comes on with the ignition is the one that provides all the power that the stereo needs to operate and it is this fuse that I replaced with a 10A with no ill effects to the stereo. Make sure your stereo doesn't have a much lower rated fuse inside it first.
threelitre
30th June 2003, 10:34
Hi!
The matter of blowing fuses might happen to many modern radios and in many cases comes down to a simple fact (this is true for most Blaupunkt radios, e.g.):
On old radios the main current came in on the switched wire, and the (thinner) non-switched wire was only used for keeping the radios memory alive (that should be the same circuit to keep the clock alive). On many modern, hi-power radios, the switched wire only serves to switch the radio on or off with the ignition, but the current for the radio is drawn over the non-switched one. (note: these radios switch on and off with the ignition, but can be used without the ignition set on, too) This non-switched wire is (in my Maestro) in fact too thin and the fuse rated to low, to use my Blaupunkt's full power. Until right now I haven't blown the fuse, but I will not replace it with a stronger one, since the wire is somewhat thin. To fit a high-power head unit correctly, you should run a new live wire from the battery to the radio, incorporating a fuse off course.
Didn't you get installation instructions with your radio? The ones from my Blaupunkt say that exactly.
Regards,
Alexander
PS: Does anybody else have a changer in the dash using the slot under the radio, too?
John S
30th June 2003, 12:34
No, but I have a changer in the glovebox which I got for spares or repair from Ebay motors. It was from an old Audi in California and I ended up getting it working - £50 in all...bargain! The 450w subwoofer I picked up for £40 at a car boot excluding box (1996 model)....bargain! The box was £30.
When choosing speakers always look for ones capable of the widest frequency range i.e. low as possible Hz to high as possible KHz.
My rear speakers were 28Hz - 32,000Hz range - the widest I could find on my budget. The radio and amps cost a fair bit but that's about it.
:D
PS: Powerful amps MUST be attatched straight to the battery with a high rating fuse otherwise scary things will happen when you turn the volume up. When I pumped up the volume going down the M6 the other month before I had a big fuse my clock ceased functioning along with other ancillaries. I also carry a fire extinguisher.:eek:
MaestroMatt
30th June 2003, 14:12
Originally posted by M170 RFA
PS: Powerful amps MUST be attatched straight to the battery with a high rating fuse otherwise scary things will happen when you turn the volume up.
How do you do that? Where do you join the new wire to the ignition circuit? Do you wire it to the fuse-box or use a fuseable link?
John S
30th June 2003, 15:54
My radio uses the existing circuit with Halfords Philips -> Kenwood adapter. My car probably has different plugs to yours. I replaced the low rating fusebox fuse with a 10A one and have had no problems since, however. The external amp(s) (if you are using any)should not share the current of the radio but should have their own 'in line' fuse connecting straight to the battery - can be done without seeing any trailing wire under the bonnet or dash as there are sound deadening panels you can hide the wire under. Always start under the bonnet first and feed the wire through the firewall through an appropriate grommet/opening so that location will be better. Keep on feeding the wire through until you can see it appear dangling in the driver's footwell. Buy a fuse holder with two speaker like 'spade' connectors and appropriate gauge wire for connection to the battery.
HelenB
3rd July 2003, 22:16
Thanks for the replies! I don't have any external amplifiers, so I changed the original 3A fuse for a 10A fuse, which is the same as that on the stereo. So far there has been no problems or in-car fireworks!
derek mclean
4th July 2003, 22:45
You'll all drive yourselves deaf!!
malcsmaesty
4th July 2003, 23:03
Pardon?;)
D87 SMW
4th July 2003, 23:06
Let me guess, you've driven yourselves so deaf you can't read what people type. :laugh:
malcsmaesty
4th July 2003, 23:10
Nah, just couldn't pass up the opportunity!....:laugh: :laugh:
what was we talking about?
malcsmaesty
4th July 2003, 23:16
You'll have 2 type up a bit i can't hear u!:rolleyes:
GO PUT RADIO 2 ON TERRY WOGAN IS ON:laugh:
D87 SMW
4th July 2003, 23:22
IS THIS OKAY? :laugh:
malcsmaesty
4th July 2003, 23:24
Thats better!:cool:
we are all turning into sad gits
D87 SMW
4th July 2003, 23:25
Thought it would! :laugh:
malcsmaesty
4th July 2003, 23:29
Pardon?:rolleyes:
D87 SMW
4th July 2003, 23:31
Oh, bl h l! :laugh: :rolleyes:
havent we been here before
D87 SMW
4th July 2003, 23:32
Been where... ??? :laugh:
malcsmaesty
4th July 2003, 23:32
Time 4 my pipe & slippers.....:eek:
D87 SMW
4th July 2003, 23:34
Or a can of Boddies...;)
we have hit rock bottom now,boddies
4x is better
D87 SMW
4th July 2003, 23:37
Hmm, s*d it. I think The Royle Family's on...
D87 SMW
4th July 2003, 23:38
Congrats Tony... no wonder if we keep posting like this! :laugh:
malcsmaesty
4th July 2003, 23:38
28 for me!!!!:D
D87 SMW
4th July 2003, 23:39
Oh well, you carry on then. :laugh:
malcsmaesty
4th July 2003, 23:40
Thanks GGT!!!!............29........:rolleyes:
D87 SMW
4th July 2003, 23:42
I think we may be wasting pages of this thread here...
we should have our own sub club -sub human,.
what a way to spend a friday night
D87 SMW
4th July 2003, 23:45
If anyone else wants to join in.......
been 4 mins and no posting
i never said anything:laugh:
D87 SMW
4th July 2003, 23:46
I doubt it! :laugh: there's at least on every minute!
malcsmaesty
4th July 2003, 23:47
Looks like we're on our own..:(
Originally posted by tony
we should have our own sub club -sub human,.
what a way to spend a friday night
should that read SAD human.any comments?
malcsmaesty
4th July 2003, 23:49
What...Stupid And Desperate?:laugh:
malc are u going to the show on sunday? not far for u to go to
do u know how many e mail i now have in my inbox?
Austin-Rover
4th July 2003, 23:52
What is going on here? Its Friday night people! I think this is a serious case of sporadic posting, and now i have fallen into the trap...
...has this thread just turned into a plot to bump-up your post count....?
:laugh:
malcsmaesty
4th July 2003, 23:52
Yeah, can't wait! Its only about 20 miles for me.:D
D87 SMW
4th July 2003, 23:53
Originally posted by tony
do u know how many e mail i now have in my inbox?
Oh crap! Forgot about that! :banghead: :rolleyes: :eek: Be right back!
Originally posted by RDGelder
What is going on here? Its Friday night people! I think this is a serious case of sporadic posting, and now i have fallen into the trap...
...has this thread just turned into a plot to bump-up your post count....?
:laugh:
possibly
i think i am about 100 miles away ,a1,m18,m1 no probs
Originally posted by F170 GGT
Oh crap! Forgot about that! :banghead: :rolleyes: :eek: Be right back!
how many did u have?
malcsmaesty
4th July 2003, 23:58
Originally posted by tony
i think i am about 100 miles away ,a1,m18,m1 no probs
it should be signposted @ jcn 2 m6
D87 SMW
4th July 2003, 23:58
Hmm, must stop posting like this:
D87 SMW
4th July 2003, 23:59
My inbox:
malcsmaesty
5th July 2003, 00:00
Originally posted by tony
how many did u have?
mines probrably crashed!
Originally posted by malcsmaesty
mines probrably crashed!
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: are we just going to quote each other all night?:laugh: :laugh:
D87 SMW
5th July 2003, 00:03
Originally posted by tony
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: are we just going to quote each other all night?:laugh: :laugh:
Think so!
D87 SMW
5th July 2003, 00:06
Lost count of my email after 30, it could have been 33 or so! Even more by now!
malcsmaesty
5th July 2003, 00:06
Originally posted by tony
are we on page 5 yet?
nearly another post should do it:)
Originally posted by malcsmaesty
nearly another post should do it:)
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Originally posted by F170 GGT
My inbox:
thats brillant (big smile)
D87 SMW
5th July 2003, 00:09
Originally posted by malcsmaesty
nearly another post should do it:)
Hmm, have to try harder then! :laugh:
malcsmaesty
5th July 2003, 00:09
As my kids would say "are we nearly there yet!":p
Originally posted by F170 GGT
Hmm, have to try harder then! :laugh:
cannot belive that we are still are on page 4
D87 SMW
5th July 2003, 00:11
Originally posted by malcsmaesty
As my kids would say "are we nearly there yet!":p
To which you reply, it's a Maestro Turbo, we were there yesterday! :rolleyes: :laugh:
malc did you start this with just 3 posts?
malcsmaesty
5th July 2003, 00:12
Originally posted by F170 GGT
To which you reply, it's a Maestro Turbo, we were there yesterday! :rolleyes: :laugh:
Top banana!:cool:
D87 SMW
5th July 2003, 00:13
Originally posted by tony
malc did you start this with just 3 posts?
I could believe it! 28 more posts and my status should me Senior Memeber! :) :laugh:
malcsmaesty
5th July 2003, 00:13
Originally posted by tony
malc did you start this with just 3 posts?
less than that i think ;)
D87 SMW
5th July 2003, 00:15
Wa-hey page 5!!!!! :) :laugh:
i think every body will kill us 3 when they see how many posting we have done
D87 SMW
5th July 2003, 00:17
True, better go then eh? :laugh: :rolleyes:
i think this is now the longest thread on here:laugh: and its all down to the bad 3
D87 SMW
5th July 2003, 00:18
And hardly any of it is on the original subject - Stereo Wiring! :) :D :laugh:
malcsmaesty
5th July 2003, 00:18
84 posts so far!
yes stereos must get one put in mine before sunday,then my car can talk to me
:p
Jonathan
5th July 2003, 00:48
Ahem :mad:
I really do pity the next person who only wants to find out how to wire up their stereo. Try downloading ICQ, MSN Messenger or something similar.
e692wtt
5th July 2003, 03:25
You go to the pub then back to your best mate's (ball & chain to be applied next weekend, don't know when but the stag night in Amsterdam was, quite literally, a 'riot' with one bloke falling asleep in not one but two sex shows then in a pub just before we were due to leave for the plane home, and another chap fell ill on the friday after 1/2 a pint of ale and again on the saturday after a splif in a 'brown cafe', and the 'stag' managed 3 'window dancers' in 2 days, oh how we laughed after seeing no1 the next night...) and then a Taxi home, to find the replies have multiplied...
I'm sure this was on Page 2 when I last looked at work at 3.45pm yesterday...
The chap that fell asleep regularly had finished work at 6an prior to us picking him up at 10am on the friday... no wonder he fell asleep on a regular basis!!!
The other other Rich.
:laugh:
D87 SMW
5th July 2003, 09:23
Originally posted by D428CHO
Ahem :mad:
I really do pity the next person who only wants to find out how to wire up their stereo. Try downloading ICQ, MSN Messenger or something similar.
I have MSN Messenger, and I recommend it! Anyone else from here on MSN and Hotmail, just let me know... :D
sorry cho we got carried away ,you had to be there to appreciate the madness,sorry from the bad 3 :(
D87 SMW
5th July 2003, 12:01
Got a Hotmail address, Tony?
dont have hotmail but do have yahoo messanger in the name of hagueok if that helps,if not i will download hot mail :)
D87 SMW
5th July 2003, 14:29
Just go to www.hotmail.com and click on new account sign up.
When you have an account come back here and click the following link: http://groups.msn.com/people Just click Download Now!
When MSN Messanger is running, click 'I want to... add a contact'
My email address is F170GGT@hotmail.com - believe it or not!
Hope this helps.
cannot connect to hotmail i am behind a firewall,whatever that is
D87 SMW
5th July 2003, 15:21
Hmmm, are you on your works computer?
no it is my own home computer ,but i have limited knowledge about computers ,in fact i have limited knowledge about a lot of things:D
gave up on the hotmail thing cannot get msn out of my computer now:( i have got yahoo messager in the name of hagueok ,do u have that?
D87 SMW
6th July 2003, 22:35
I'll see what I can do...
e692wtt
7th July 2003, 00:36
Eeh, about 2 hours late again.
I'll bluff this - a firewall is like a 'censorship filter', I can alter my own computer's 'internet security features' according to certain criteria (don't understand this either, does it show?).
At work (local Council) there are all sorts of firewalls by 'category' eg entertainment, sport, leisure. Since this latest firewall-edition has been installed at work, I can't even get onto the bbc's weather site... or much else, stuff that I know from sitting here at home is 'pretty ok' or even genuinely useful.
The only site I can access all day long at work is this one!!! Not that we're meant to use the Net during 'core hours', but if I should accidentally press the wrong buttons, "Forum here I come!".:laugh:
My middle stepson downloaded MSN Messenger - can I uninstall it or otherwise wipe it? No chance, and not for want of trying!
The other other Rich.:laugh:
nope i cannot get rid of msn as well it not in "add and remove"so cannot find it:rolleyes: :(
D87 SMW
7th July 2003, 10:11
Neither MSN Explorer or MSN Messenger appear in my 'Add Or Remove Programs.' Hmm...
Andy
1st January 2004, 18:16
this is longest post ever mainly talking about nowt so i thought i would ad 2 it cos every 1 else has
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