All,

I have installed a RF Punch 400.4 under my front passenger seat to power my mids & tweeters. I am searching for a good grounding point. Anyone else put an amp under their front seat?

This is for a 1997 4Runner. Should I go to the seatbelt bolt or the floor pan or ??

Hope this makes sense and thanks!

 

Seat bolt is a very bad idea. Use a spot in the floor that has nothing underneath (lines/wires) clear the paint off, and use an appropriate screw/nut to attach the wire, so that it is secure. I usually go where there is overlapping metal, not just the thin floor.

 

Thanks. That is what I thought, just wanted to check on it since every now and then you hear the "seat bolt idea".

CB

 

What's so bad about using the seat bolt? I have used a seat bolt for my amp ground for 3 years, and haven't had a single problem.

 

I don't see anything wrong with it either. I used a seat bolt from one of the rear seats' folding back. Just scratched off the paint where the ring terminal would touch and bolted it down. The only bad thing I see is that I didn't coat it w/ silicone afterwards to prevent any corrosion.

 

That is exactly what I did. I figured it was going to be a nice, solid ground all of the time. So far, haven't had any problems with it...

 

I'm another one. I use 2 amps under the seats and ground both with the seat bolts with no ground loop problems. Can someone explain why this is a bad idea?

Also is it "better" to ground everthing at one point and why?

Sam

 

I have actually heard it is better to ground everything to just one place, but in my case, just like Samgotit's, I have an amp under each seat, and didn't feel like running on all that extra wire from one side of my front cab to the other.

Cross my fingers, but so far so good......

 

My amp too is grouned to one of the rear seat bolts. No problems yet

 

the seat bolt is one of the best grounding points due to it being a solid weld from but you must clean the paint for a good contact. power is transfered from the outside of a conductor so 1/8 inch diameter verses a 10mm diameter screw. You be the judge. larger contact point better.
the only problem is that you can see the cable.
David

 

Yah I use the front driver's seat bolt, too... the rear left leg. I was actually thinking of moving it until I saw all these posts...hehe...

The bolt that holds the seat belt to the floor looks good, too....

 

Grounding all your equipment at one single point is very recommended, especially if you want a super clean sounding system. There is a higher chance of getting some alternator noise (that annoying high pitch whine you get when your car is running, pitch changes with the RPM, for those who dont know). I personally hate alternator noise, and when i rewired my system to have a single grounding point, the alternator noise virtually disappeared. Another tip......run all power from the same point too (that includes the head-unit). Once again, more work, but your system will sound crystal clear. As far as the seatbelt bolt.....i never had a problem, but i dont really like to tamper with it since it is a defining factor in you or your passenger's safety. I'd feel really bad if an accident occured and that bolt came out. But i have used them as grounding points in the past and never had a electrical problem with it. You're also assured of a good connection to ground as well, which is helpful if you're having trouble finding a decent grounding point. Applying silicon is also a good idea to prevent corrosion. I personally feel that finding a new grounding point woks best, since you can hide all the cables and you dont tamper with any of the safety points of the car.

 

Hey guys - I came across this old pic of the system I had in my 87 Celica GTS. It was completely hidden from view when the seats were up. I sunk the processors into the seatbacks and the amprack was on the front of a small custom infinite baffle/box that was stealth when the trunk was open. At the time, this was a pretty big system (12-13 years ago). 500 watts, 4-10's, +16 other speakers. I was/am a big Alpine/Boston fan. Now, I feel less is more. I want to do 5-7 speakers max. This is the car I first welded stuff on. Ahhh, the good old days!!

 

Anything that is removable (besides your system) is a very bad idea. I NEVER ground to anything that I think might get removed for any reason (I.E. Dealer work), not to mention that alot of seat bolts use a black tacky substance (like a loctite) that is to hold the seat bolt down, this hampers the ground to the vehicle. There is also heavy rust protectant where that bolt it (yet another reason not to go there) and hurts your connection. I have been installing now for 8+ years and I havne't met anyone yet that reccommends a seat bolt. You can do what you wish, and usually it will "work", but to what extent is another question. Bad grounds are the biggest cause of engine whine.

 

BTW- grounding all of your system to one central point was needed years ago before the equipment evolved like it has, now in 99.9% of vehicles you only need to make sure you make good grounds and run your signal path and power wire down each side of the vehicle to eliminate engine whine.


Grounding in one central point will still eliminate engine whine in those few vehicles that have problems with it. ( I can't even remember the last car I had to do this on)

 

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Very nice btw, I remember when that was a show winner

Now you need the system to tie your shoes in order to win or even place

 

I used to win with it, but I wasn't in the mobile electronics industry full time and couldn't continue devoting the time and money to it to remain competitive. It was a great learning experience though. I can wire relays in my sleep now...