Installing and amp and sub... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

190D22 · #1 07-01-2003, 12:37 AM

I am going to install my next addition to my car stereo, a sub. I am wondering what all I need to be able to do this. Is a bigger alternator a must? The amp I am using is only 150 watts. I will probably get a 1 farad capacitor. I also plan to upgrade the ground wire comming off the battery that bolts to the chassis. It looks to have about a 4 gauge wire on there now. I also am trying to decide how I want to route the positive wire for the amp and where to put the amp.

Maybe someone on here has done this and can help me. Thanks guys!

rickg · #2 07-01-2003, 12:51 AM

Might want to check over in the "Car Audio". There's a world of info over there.
I'm using a powered Bazooka Tube sub in my car (100 W/Cont) with the stock alternator with no problem.
http://www.sasbazooka.com/productAutoAmplifiedBTsEL.asp?id=9
But if your going to put a real ground-pounding system in, you may need to upgrade.

#3 07-01-2003, 08:06 PM

I know that alot of people do not visit the audio as often so I understand you posting it here.

Dont worry about the alternator or even the capacitor. You can always add the capacitor if you have problems.

I run a 15 inch in the back of my 300d and I love it. I had 2 10s back there and it would not penetrate very well. The 15 gets through very nicely. MB are a little solid and you may need alot of woofer to get through the tank and what not.

good luck

bob

#4 07-01-2003, 11:36 PM

Where might be a good place for a sub in the wagons? I have my seat pulled all the way back, so the driver side mid seat is really useless for passenger use, would this be a good place? From what i've heard, the stock alt. is about 50amps, am I right?

190D22 · #5 07-10-2003, 11:51 AM

I put the sub in my car. It hits hard, I can hear it really well inside. Outside it isn't as loud as you'd think. I need to silence the buzzing from my trunk though. My box is THE perfect height to squeeze under the back shelf. So I have the thing just wedged in there and it does not move around. I also have it so the vent port on the box is right under the first aid kit door. I think this is the key to me hearing the bass so well. I will take pictures. I "mounted" the amp under the back seat. It really isn't mounted, it's just sitting under there (don't tell any amp thiefs!). But I have it in there so it will not move around. My only concern is will it be too hot for the amp once it heats up. The amp gets hot enough that you cannot hold it. The manual for the amp only warns "leave proper space above the amp for ventilation". There is at least 6" above the amp under the seat, so it should be good. My brother had the same amp in his jeep under his seat and had no problems.

Stock alt in mine is 55A. The only time I really get power problems is when I have all my lights on (headlights and fogs), have the AC on and the blower on max, then when the sub hits I can see the lights dim. Which is understandable since the blower alone makes the lights dim when you turn it on max.

With the car off, I get 13V off the battery. Then with the engine running I get a solid 14.6. With the sub bumpin' hard, the voltage drops to as low as 14.1 but mostly stays around 14.5V. Who knows how good my little digital meter is... but it seems to be pretty accurate.

#6 07-10-2003, 02:00 PM

150 Watt amplifier only draws about 11 Amps max and that is only intermittent current draw. You should not need to do anything with the alternator, but make sure you use adequate gauge wire. I would use nothing smaller than 8 guage or so.

Good luck,

Wasuchi · #7 07-10-2003, 02:49 PM

190D22,

If you're worried about your amp getting too hot a computer fan runs on 12v and will move enough air to help keep it cool. All you would have to do is figure out how to get it to run only when the amp/radio is on or I suppose anytime the key is on since they draw very little juice. They don't cost much either.

190D22 · #8 07-11-2003, 04:51 PM

Actually the same thought crossed my mind exactly. I have a spare triple fan setup for an AMD Athlon and I was thinking of wiring it on the control wire for the amp. I have to make a bracket to mount the fan over the amp, but that's no problem.

#9 07-12-2003, 02:35 PM

I bolted my amp directly to the sub box in the Euro 240D. With as tight of a fit as that stuff is, the stereo stealing losers will pay hell to get my stuff out.

You picked a great spot for the sub, mine is in the exact same place. I routed all wires through the extra spaces in the rubber grommets for amp power, and ran these and the speaker wires through one of the plastic removable plugs that open up the access to the rear shock towers. All wires are hidden under carpet and follow pre existing factory "conduits" (for lack of a better term.) The ground wire was bolted directly to a solid metal piece in the trunk behind the fuel tank shield.

190D22 · #10 07-13-2003, 12:32 PM

My buddy just got a '95 E420. Those are ideal for putting an amp in the back! The battery right there in the trunk makes it so easy. That is a very nice car.

I wired my ground for the amp to one of the screws that holds the back rest for the back seat in the car. I made sure I got voltage there w/ my volt meter and wired it up. I thought this old car was going to be a pain to wire an amp in, but it seems to be easier than any car I've ever seen... except the E420 of course!