As per my thread in the Tech section, I just upgraded my ailing stock 70A alternator in my 1989 300E to a new Bosch 80A alternator, in part due to the fact that my wife bought me a new Alpine MRP-F240. 4/3/2 channel amp for Christmas. Yeah!

So I'm getting ready to install the amp and I've done a lot of research already but before I plunge into it, I'd like to get any further tips you guys have to offer.

I'm going to use the amp as a 4-channel amp to power all existing 4" stock speakers. I'll upgrade the speakers later and add a separate sub and amp later. For now, this amp will simply power the four existing speakers. I'm not out to rattle houses or win comps - just to improve my overall sound.

I've got an Alpine TDA head unit with full RCA preouts for both the front AND rear channels and an Alpine CHA-S624 6-disk changer already mounted in the glovebox. So here's what I'm thinking- please feel free to correct/add - thanks!

THE PLAN

1. Amplifier to be installed on a piece of carpeted 1/2" plywood which will be cut using the rear firewall piece in the trunk as a mould. Amp will be mounted vertically on the wood. I'll attach the wood piece to the top of the trunk shelf with L-brackets.

2. Run RCA and speaker wires together along the center of the car, under the carpet, and through the rear firewall on the driver's side. I was going to use 16-gauge wire for the speakers.

3. Run power wire from battery on the far passenger side of car, along the door sills, under the carpet and through the rear firewall on the passenger side. I'll use 10-gauge wire for both the ground and the power. I'll add a suitable fuse/breaker (60A? 100A?) to the power line at the battery.

4. Ground amp to chassis with 10-gauge wire, keeping wire as short as possible.

5. All connections to be soldered where possible and heat shrinked.

Anything I missed? Thanks in advance! I hope to install the amp over the next few days. I'm off to go get supplies...Cheers!

Chris

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

I think 10 gauge power wire is a bit weak. You may want to go with 8 or even 4 gauge wire, the latter being more than adequate if you want to add onto your system in the future. (assuming you aren't running a monster competition system!).

If you go with 4 gauge wire, you can run it to a distribution block which allows for several branches of 8 gauge wires. The easiest way to go about running the power wire is to remove the glovebox liner. To the right you'll see a rubber grommet with a few wires coming through. You can see the other side of the grommet when you remove the plastic cover behind the battery.

Thanks for the tip, esp. the glove box routing.

Thanks also to gsxr for his great install pics (from the alternator thread).

Any more tips before I get started??

TIA,
Chris

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

can you post pics of the cd changer install in your glovebox?
I'm wondering if I can do the same in a 95 c class, my glove box looks kinda tiny though :-(

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95 M3 (US)
94 318is (EURO)
87 190E 2.6

vas2vas,

I don't have a pic handy, but it's identical to Flavio's in the following thread, he posted some great pics -

My stereo install in the 500E is done!

My CD changer is the 6-CD model, his is the 12. They both fit with a slight bit of adjustment.

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

lol...I just installed this amp this month. I've been a little busy since this first post.

I've spoken with mercedesshop.com and I'll be submitting the DIY on the amp install as soon as I can.

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon