From: jreiser@scott.skidmore.edu (jason reiser)
Subject: Re: Install Q's
Organization: Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs NY
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 03:17:36 GMT

Kevin_Bailey@qmgate.anl.gov (Kevin Bailey) writes:
> HI folks, 
> 
> Here we go... I have a '90 Integra hatchback.  The deck will be an indash
> cd player (Pioneer DEH-880) and will likely have an eq/sub crossover below
> it.
> 
> 1) AMP POWER:  I run the power cable (fused near the battery...right?) in

--within ~18" of the battery -- it protects the wire.  If the power
cable should short out against some metal, it wil blow this fuse.  The
closer the fuse is to the battery, the safer.  (the short cable
between the battery and fuse is not protected)

> to the passenger compartment. I presume I should run the big wire as far as
> I can before splitting it to the separate amps, right? If the amps are
> spread around the car (under the seats and in the hatch) do I loose
> anything, asside from the mess, by distributing the power earlier as
> opposed to if all the amps were in the same place (in the hatch)?

-- If you have amps in two entirely separate areas of the vehicle,
consider making one run to each area instead of splitting somewhere in
the passenger compartment and then linking that to the trunk.  

  What
> about potential grounding problems?  Do I run grounds back to the deck so
> everything is grounded near each other?  The ground wire should be the same
> size as the power wire, right?  If the amps are fused do I need a fused
> distribution block as well?  Has anyone tried the circuit breakers instead
> of fuses?
> 
Well, theoretically, you want all your amps to be grounded to the same
area of solid metal on individual screws or bolts.  Keep all ground
wires as short as possible.  In that the wires should be short, you
opbviously cannot ground to the same area if the amps are separated by
some distance.  You might find you get some noise, but try it.  If
there is noise there are several steps you can take to help alliviate
that problem.  Ground wire should be at least as large as the power
wire.  Fusing an amp that already has interna; fuses might not be
necessary, but I generally do it.  (Sorry, I can't explain this one)


> 2) Amp Rack:  /**suppose I decide to make an amp rack(of some sort) that
> will reside in the hatch. **/ 
> 
> I would prefer not to perforate the car any more than I absolutely have to.
> I have considered using ministrut glued to the car and then bolting the
> wood peices that will cover the hatch floor to the ministrut.  Does anyone
> see immediate problems with this?
> 

OK with me.

> 3)Has anyone created a SUB BOX in the spare tire well while leaving the
> tire/and access to it?????????  I saw this done in CA&E but can't find the
> issue yet.  I remember that they used fiberglass to seal the well.  Anyone
> done this?

I believe it was in a black mustang gt.  Issue #?
> 
> How hard is particle board to work with?  I gather screews and glue are
> better than nails.  Can you bevel the edges or am I limited to 90 deg
> joints?
> 
Particle board CAN be a pain to work with.  (especially in tight
spaces).  It was a nasty habit of splintering (corners that come off)
and the glue in it is supposed to be a carcinogen  (sp?)  -- wear a
mouth mask when cutting).  All joints should be speared with yellow
wood glue and then use countersunk dry wall screws to hold it together
(nails just won't do the trick here.)  Countersinking helps keep from
stripping the wood (?)  ie. the screw will bite well in the wood and
not just spin.  A 90 degree joint is the easiest to accomplish, but as
long as the screw has something to bite into and their is enough wood
around it, it should be OK.  My suggestions here would be to consider
using something other than MDF if you find it difficult to work with.
I have had better results with (excuse the spelling) Luon Plywood
(it's pronounced as Looooo on).  It is almost as dense as MDF and is
more rigid tortionally.  It is much more expensive though ($15 vs $45
per sheet).

> THANKS-
> I'm sure I'll think of more later...
> Kevin
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Kevin_Bailey@qmgate.anl.gov
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hope this helps.

					- Jason