Car amplifiers are used to supply additional power to speakers. These speakers usually require more power than can be supplied by the head unit or radio. Because of the amount of power needed, amplifiers are usually connected directly to the car's existing battery. One problem for high power systems is that the engine must be running at all times or the battery will go dead. Another option is to power the amplifier with a battery charger.
Instructions
1. Check the power requirement of the amplifier and choose a battery charger with the same or higher power output.
2. Label the jumper wires from the battery charger as "red (positive)" and "black (negative)." Cut the battery clamps off of the positive and negative jumper wires. Strip 1/2 of an inch of insulation off of the freshly cut jumper wire ends.
3. Connect the positive jumper wire to the red positive power terminal on the amplifier. This is the terminal which is normally connected directly to the battery. Connect the negative jumper wire to the ground terminal on the amplifier.
4. Take a piece of 10-gauge black electrical wire and strip 1/2 of an inch of insulation off of both ends. Connect one end to the amplifier ground terminal and connect the other to the car's metal frame. This means that there are two wires coming off of the amplifier 's ground terminal. This is done to make sure that all of the equipment in this system is operating at the same ground potential.
5. Plug in the battery charger, turn it on and test the system without the engine running.
Tags: ground terminal, jumper wire, amplifier ground, amplifier ground terminal, battery charger