I didn't think this really belonged in the 4runner forum, since it doesn't really pertain to the truck directly.

Anyhow, I was wondering if I wired my amp into a source that always received twelve volts, no matter where the key was switched to, but that I had a switch in line, would this be alright? I don't have a remote wire lead off my head unit, and while I like my subs 90% of the time, it kills classical music, or for the times I have a headache, but want some soft music.

So again, would putting my remote turn on wire to a source that always has twelve volts, but putting a switch inline, between the amp and the junction of the wires be safe (as far as not draining the battery), will it work, and lastly, is it even safe to have the amp turned off in this manner while I am driving and have my stereo on?

Thanks!

 

I tried to do that once last year. It's not a problem, but you have to be really careful w/the wire. I tried using the main +12 for the head unit (used a wire splice) and I accidentally let the exposed wire touch a seat bolt which blew out the head unit....but that was my stupidity for not disconnecting the battery :pat: .

So, to answer your questions....it will work and it wont hurt the amp to have the music on with the amp off

Oh, by the way...hiya everyone, this is my first post here....lots of good info here!

 

you shall have no problems

 

I did it on my old truck and it worked fine. I bought a new headunit that controls my subs now, so i don't have that problem to worry about now.

 

Awesome! I shall do it tomorrow!


Welcome to yotatech 01blacktoy! It sounds like you've been lurking in the shadows for a while already.

 

Thanks! Yup, I've been around for a while

 

Sorry man, all of my stereo systems have been installed in shops, I was just hammered with the bill and didn't really think about how all this stuff works

 

i just posted on someone elses ?. i dont recomend turning your amp on and off like this if you get the speaker thump. its not good for your equipment. try an amp with a remote gain controll or something .

 

I dont recommend doing that either. I did that once, way back before I knew better about audio equipment. The problem is you will have to turn your amp off every time you shut off the engine, and you WILL forget to turn your amp off at least once. Over a couple of hours (depending on your amp) you will have a dead battery, which is always a pain in the A$$. Instead, I would put your remote lead on a switch. This way, when the truck is on you can have power running to the amp or not, and when the truck is off, the amp is always off.

 

I've been using switches for a few years now. I've got a really nice 3 switch control panel mounted just below the ash tray on that nice flat panel. But mine is kinda wired different. I've got my amp still being turned on by the head unit, but the head unit is turned on by the switch. That way I can turn on the stereo without the key. I used to use switches for everything. Meaning the amp would be on a seperate circuit. Good for turning the subs off when I was in a residential neighborhood late at night or in a sketchy neighborhood when I didn't want to draw attention to my system.

 

Wow this thread certainly rose outta the ashes. I have my subs wired into my ignition, and if I need it turned down, I just adjust the bass levels with my head unit, so it works