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Amplifier ground location

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by MCohill, Dec 15, 2016.

  1. Dec 15, 2016 at 3:45 PM
    #1
    MCohill

    MCohill [OP] New Member

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    I recently installed a stereo system in my 2014 access cab with a 600 watt amp behind my driver seat. At high volume before distortion my amp goes to protect. All connections from battery are good. I think it's the ground connection. The ground wire runs underneath the plastic rear cup holder in between the back fold down seats. I fastened the ground wire between the metal bracket for the cup holder and the chassi. I shaved the paint. I can't easily access my ground anymore, build in sub box screwed into the top of it. I may run a new ground wire and leave the existing one. Anyone have experience with bad ground in this spot. Where are you all grounding your amps.?
     
  2. Dec 16, 2016 at 6:57 PM
    #2
    Team Flatline

    Team Flatline Not squatin' w/ my spurs on...

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    Never grounded to any part of the body before. I've always run my ground through the nearest rubber floor plug directly to the frame. Silicone sealant around the area where the wire goes through the rubber floor plug, and a bit of grinding on the frame where the connection is made. Try to keep the ground cable as short as you can. Also make sure that you are using 8guage grounding cable as a minimum, preferably 4 guage and it should be the same guage as the positive lead.
     
  3. Dec 20, 2016 at 4:47 AM
    #3
    ike3000

    ike3000 Well-Known Member

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    My amp is mounted on the back wall and I grounded to the body near the rear seat bracket. Drilled a through-hole, scraped off paint with a dremel wire wheel, and secured the ground with a bolt and external teeth washer. I have never had noise issues. Not even with a zero bit track and head unit volume maxed out. I have always grounded to the body and never had noise issues.
     
  4. Dec 27, 2016 at 11:08 AM
    #4
    81shark

    81shark Well-Known Member

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    mine grounds to one of the mounting bolts on the rear of the drivers seat. so far so good.
     
  5. Dec 28, 2016 at 6:56 AM
    #5
    timothom

    timothom Well-Known Member

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    Kenwood DMX7705S PrecisionPower Phantom 900.4 Alpine type-r 8" Image Dyanmics CXS64.2
    I have my amp under the driver's seat. I used 4 gauge wire (same size wire I used to run to the battery). The ground is a plate of metal with three sheet metal screws in it. I used a dremel, took off the paint, and screwed this ground strap directly to the metal floor pan. No problems with my amp cutting out or noise. The ground wire is about 8" long.

    If your amp is cutting out, it may not be the ground. It may be the voltage going too low under heavy load. You might need a new/better battery, alternator, or a cap close to your amp.

    Usually a problem with the ground means you get alternator wine in your speakers...
     

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