Hi, I am going to add headrest monitors, a video splitter and my sat radio, I want to hardwire the power for all of these, what is the best way to do this?, is there a wire I can add a splice to?, what is the best way to wire power to these things?
Best way to hardwire power for stuff?
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
Joined
·
2,044 Posts
you could get by wiring just the sat to your cig lighter or radio, but the monitors & video will draw too much power.
if your adding all that, i'd recommend running a seperate fused power wire directly to the battery & switch the power through a relay to turn on and off with accessory.
or, if your daring, wire into the ignition harness at the accessory wire. ACC should be black or black/red. use a digital multi-meter to test wires first.
there are a couple of good write ups on this subject if you search.
if your adding all that, i'd recommend running a seperate fused power wire directly to the battery & switch the power through a relay to turn on and off with accessory.
or, if your daring, wire into the ignition harness at the accessory wire. ACC should be black or black/red. use a digital multi-meter to test wires first.
there are a couple of good write ups on this subject if you search.
Joined
·
159 Posts
you should use that for the power to switch on/off a relay. That 12v wire in the armrest is not going to run enough juice to power multiple monitors.
Joined
·
2,044 Posts
this is a good place to start. http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?show...11&hl=relay
instead of attaching a cig socket to the end, use a fused power block.
instead of attaching a cig socket to the end, use a fused power block.
Joined
·
2,044 Posts
if you read through the page linked in the other thread it will explain relays. basically, the relay is an electric switch that will divert 12V run from the battery, to your equipment when the key is in the ACC or ON positions. to wire the relay, you'd connect one side to your battery using the newly run wire, one post to the 12V switched (grabbed at cig lighter, radio, etc), one to ground & one output to your fused block. you should be able to find a fused block for about $10 at any auto parts store, bby, cc, etc. or you can just splice two ends off the relay, but make sure to fuse again after the relay and before the devices in the back. the block makes this cleaner & easier.
if your running a couple of monitors, you'd be fine running a 10 gauge power flow kit. i've seen them at target for $4.5, or you can buy a name brand, like metra, or rockford fosgate for $20.
if your running a couple of monitors, you'd be fine running a 10 gauge power flow kit. i've seen them at target for $4.5, or you can buy a name brand, like metra, or rockford fosgate for $20.
Aight thanks!
So basically the montiors would be on the whole time without a relay; killing the battery. The relay makes them go on/off with the cars power to avoid this problem. Sorry I know nothing about electrical so I need it REAL nice and clear so I don't fry something
So basically the montiors would be on the whole time without a relay; killing the battery. The relay makes them go on/off with the cars power to avoid this problem. Sorry I know nothing about electrical so I need it REAL nice and clear so I don't fry something
Joined
·
159 Posts
Not trying to be an asshole, but with the beginner nature of the questions that you are asking, you are going to be better off having a friend that knows what they are doing help you, or take it to a shop. You should watch someone who knows what they are doing, so that in the future you can do it. The last thing that you want to do is royally screw up a perfectly good car, which you could do if you make some bad electrical wiring decisions...Aight thanks!
So basically the montiors would be on the whole time and the relay makes them go on/off with the cars power so not to drain the battery. Sorry I know nothing about electrical so I need it REAL nice and clear so I don't fry something
[/b]
Joined
·
2,468 Posts
Joined
·
2,661 Posts
I'm going to second the suggestion that you find someone competent in electrical wiring to do this for you. It's no insult meant to you but you simply do not understand what's involved and you're going to be heading for disaster if you attempt this without experienced help. trust me, if you don't even understand the theory of a simple relay and how to wire it into a circuit you're going to be lost with the project you've decided to undertake.
please, do yourself and your car a favor and take this project to a shop that does this kind of work. the extra money you spend will be small in comparison to what it will cost you to have someone re-do it correctly along with fixing any damage you've done to your car's electrical system if you attempt this project.
you've taken a wise first step in posting these questions here for help, but the best help any of us can offer you is to suggest having this done by a pro.........hope this helps.!!
I know I sound like a newbie but I have installed 5 complete systems in cars without a hitch, I just have never needed to install a relay, even in the headrest monitors instructions it lists nothing about a relay, it just shows to connect the power to power and ground to a grounding point.
I have installed amps, replaced door speakers, rear speakers, adding aftermarket HU, subwoofers, etc so I do have some good knowledge, heck I even installed an overhead DVD player in my VAN!!, which by the way also made no mention of a relay, that is why I am wondering, is it already wired with these and that is why they don't mention it?
Why did I install my overhead DVD player and never had a problem and there was no mention of a relay?
I have installed amps, replaced door speakers, rear speakers, adding aftermarket HU, subwoofers, etc so I do have some good knowledge, heck I even installed an overhead DVD player in my VAN!!, which by the way also made no mention of a relay, that is why I am wondering, is it already wired with these and that is why they don't mention it?
Why did I install my overhead DVD player and never had a problem and there was no mention of a relay?
Joined
·
2,044 Posts
did you read through the linked threads?
try http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?show...11&hl=relay & http://www.the12volt.com/relays/relays.asp
read & the answers will come.
try http://forum.mazda6club.com/index.php?show...11&hl=relay & http://www.the12volt.com/relays/relays.asp
read & the answers will come.
Ok those links helped, my only other question is, how to hook up the relay, I mean, it looks like it plugs into something, do you just screw it to a mouting location and connect the wiring to it? I read somewhere that there are 4 wires to connect.
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
Join the discussion
Join now to ask and comment!