Grounding amps???

[MikeJungle30]

Can anyone help?

I've had a quick search through the forums but can't see a definate answer for my question.

Tomorrow I'm buying a new HU for my Cooper (got it last Saturday ), and will then start transplanting my speakers / amps / sub / changer etc... that I stripped out of my Polo.

Where is the best place in the boot to ground the amps to?

In my Polo I un-did one of the rear seatbelt catch bolts and sandwiched the 2 ground cables between 2 BIG washers then screwed it down really tight.

I've only had it for 6 days and what with all the snow and being at work in the daylight hours I've not actually had a good look as yet. I'm also a bit apprehensive about ripping my new toy apart!

Cheers,

Mike

[mikeythemini]

RThere are some good earth points behind the rear side boot panels
remember to run a small earth then from the amp to the stereo chassis

[MikeJungle30]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini

RThere are some good earth points behind the rear side boot panels
remember to run a small earth then from the amp to the stereo chassis

Cheers Mikey!

Took a torch and had a look just now, those bolts seem a litlle small to me - you do mean the ones on either side that already have sime wires connected? I guess I'll have to use proper connectors instead of wrapping the bared wire around! Any idea where I can pick those up? Also, the trim clips mentioned on your website (How to fit rear speakers) - do I get them from Mini dealer or can I source them elsewhere?

What does the earth to the HU chassis achieve? Never done that one before.

Thanks for sending out the Radio Fitting Kit so promptly - am attacking it tomorrow!

[KJ_daGreenMini]

i earthed my sub to the bold in the right hand cubby hole / panel which looks to be holding some other wires and cables in, its a perfect place. you can put the cable under the boot panel ad up the back to the bolt.

[CurtP]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini

RThere are some good earth points behind the rear side boot panels
remember to run a small earth then from the amp to the stereo chassis

I've run into issues in other cars that if you didn't disconnect the other grounds from the HU after running the wire from the amp grounding point to the HU - it can create a ground loop. Something to look for if you start getting noise through the speakers that you can't isolate.

[mikeythemini]

You earth the chassis of the radio to the chassis of the amps to reduce the risk of alternator whine.
Curt makes a good point also.

The clips from any 'good' mini dealer or I keep plenty on stock
Mike

[MikeJungle30]

Now that I think about it I did have a tiny background whine in my Polo - only when cranked right up though in quiet bits of tunes or between tracks...will give it a go! Nice one!

Next question:

I've seen loads of differing opinions on running the cables from HU and battery to the boot. Obviously the power and audio cables want to be on opposite sides of the car but I've read in some of the posts that some people have picked up noise on the audio leads from some wires in the loom that can't be avoided when running the new cables.

Is there a preferred side to run the power and audio leads - I saw in one post how someone said run the power down the drivers side but then couldn't work out if their steering wheel was on the proper side or not?

Any views on this welcomed (but could you let me know if your Mini is RHD or LHD!)

Thanks to everyone for the previous advise,

Mike

[mikeythemini]

If you have the time, remove the passenger seat and sill run the phono cables along the floor just to the side of the central tunnel

[MikeJungle30]

Quote: Originally Posted by mikeythemini

If you have the time, remove the passenger seat and sill run the phono cables along the floor just to the side of the central tunnel

Not sure I've got time to take seats out! I've got 3 hours to run all the cables b4 I need to drive back to Manchester from Essex. Fitted Sony CDX-M850P last night - sounds a million times better than the Wave did on the stock speakers! Only problem is the display being blue but the panel blacks out so will enable that at night.

The instructions on your website for fitting new radio were perfect! One small issue though was the locks on the cage - could only bend the top ones as the bottom ones dont go far enough back to bend behind the shelf thingy. Is this Sony specific or has this happened to others?

Gotta go - 2 amps + 6*9s + CD changer to fit!

[mikeythemini]

Some cages don't have tabs far enough back to bend al round- sometimes I cut my own
Good luck with the rest

[Root Ginger]

Another good earth point is the boot catch. Take off the trim over it, undo one of the bolts that holds it down and stick it there. Has worked fine for me for a Kenwood Amp and Sub and now my Infinity Basslink X.

[MikeJungle30]

Thanks to everyone for their advice!

Got the hard part done on Saturday - just need to find time to conect all the cables up now!

I never want to have to fit rear speakers in a Mini ever again!

Are the doors easier???

Mike

[mikeythemini]

Doors very easy - see the guide on my site

[MikeJungle30]

Thanks Mikey - need to save some £'s 1'st though!

Connected up all the remaining cables before I went to work this morning - 3 words: Oh My God!!!

Can't believe how good it sounds. Even without the sub the whole car vibrates, turned up the sub channel on the HU and thought I was about to perforate my ear drums! Didn't stop grinning all day

Will stick some photos on once I've clipped the cables down (they're hanging everywhere at the mo' and look V untidy!).