amps under seats

[Poseur]

I just put velcro on the bottom of my amp, 2 strips on the sides and it will stick to the carpet. The carpet will act as the soft portion of the velcro.

THis usually works for awhile, but usually eventually the velcro will gum up.
Additionally this provides no theft protection. If someone happens to notice an amp under there and gives it a tug and it doesn't move, it's entirely likely they'll pass it by. if they pull and it comes loose, clipclip it's theirs. YOU'd also better hope you put a fuse on your wires because theifs generalyl don't care toomuch about what a live power wire dangling around in your car will do. (I had a retarded friend who nearly burnt up his new forester because he didn't fuse his power wire, then his stuff got jacked) Was driving down the highway all fo the sudden smoke everywhere inside. luckily he thought to roll down the windows befor ehe stopped to yank it as them are some very toxic fumes.

 

[jadonP5]

Poseur- do you mean an additional fuse somewhere, or the fuse in line with power at the battery would be ok?

 

[sevsev]

Poseur- do you mean an additional fuse somewhere, or the fuse in line with power at the battery would be ok?

The main inline one that you put as close to the battery is what he's talking about I'm pretty sure, usually a standard thing with your wire install, some people just pass it up tho. It will blow once the wire starts short circuting.

 

[Poseur]

yep just the main one at the battery (I have since flogged my friend)

 

[s_manga]

Hey Guy

I have my amp mounted underneath my passenger seat and I just have it screwed through the carpet to a piece of 6mm MDF, works like a dream. You don't even have to have a full piece of wood, just at the mounting points so it works like a bolt/nut type setup.

Here's what it looks like......

 

[theice]

THis usually works for awhile, but usually eventually the velcro will gum up.
Additionally this provides no theft protection. If someone happens to notice an amp under there and gives it a tug and it doesn't move, it's entirely likely they'll pass it by. if they pull and it comes loose, clipclip it's theirs.

I'm not sure how a few screws are going to stop a thief if they're already bothering with breaking into my car in the first place. I'd actually be more pissed about whatever damage they did to get in. Nothing is visible from the outside so I haven't had any attempts yet (knocks on wood). Hell that horn scares me when I accidentally set off the alarm.

Either way, the velcro has worked great for at least a year & a half now. I guess I'm just lazy and was offering the lazy guy version of securing the amp. I'm not sure what would gum up on the velcro, the adhesive that sticks it to the amp?

Is it generally better to have the fuse for the power wire closer to the battery than the powered unit?

 

[jadonP5]

most say 18" or less from the battery.

 

[benimal]

So why is it bad to screw the amp right into the floor board? It can't be a rust issue cause you suggest screwing the board to the floor under the carpet as an option. I have my Hifonics NX880 sitting on top of the carpet - screwed right into the floorboard. Fits fine and stays cool. I do have some alternator whine but I think it's coming from the HU not being grounded properly (long story). So... I'm confused....

Ben

No
Screw, glue, tape, or velcro a board the the floor under the carpet. Then mount the amp over the carpet, to the board.

 

[sevsev]

I get alternator whine, and a click over the speakers when the headunit loads a cd in or changes track, even though it is grounded nicely.

I don't think anyone said it was bad? Just easier, I'm just gonna put a peice of wood under the carpet and screw into it.

 

[chuyler1]

Unless you have an amp with plastic feet I do not recommend screwing directly to any part of the frame of the car. It will ground it through the heat sink instead of the negative terminal. You might luck out and not get any noise but with most amps this will cause a ground loop.

Any screws you send through the frame of the car should be covered with silcone on the underside to prevent rusting. I recommend trying to use factor holes to secure equipment where ever possible.

 

[1sty]

bingo.

Also the amp MUST be secured to the car, not velcroed to carpet. The amp is going to get smashed over and over again against the seat and floor unless it is secured. If you let and amp slap around for a while its not going to work for very long.

 

[theice]

Also the amp MUST be secured to the car, not velcroed to carpet. The amp is going to get smashed over and over again against the seat and floor unless it is secured. If you let and amp slap around for a while its not going to work for very long.

But, the velcro does secure it to the floor. Seriously, taking it up is quite difficult, meaning it doesn't move, at all, and hasn't for over a year.(boom07)

I guess you guys are saying it will be trouble, in time, but I'll cross that bridge when/if it ever comes...

 

[1sty]

But, the velcro does secure it to the floor. Seriously, taking it up is quite difficult, meaning it doesn't move, at all, and hasn't for over a year.(boom07)

I guess you guys are saying it will be trouble, in time, but I'll cross that bridge when/if it ever comes...

If you velcroed it to the carpet then it is not secured to the floor. The carpet will still allow the amp to jump around and smash on the floor of the car.

Listen this is a REALLY easy thing to do right. Go to a hardware stoe and get a 1/2" thick pecie of plywood cut to the size you need or cut it yourself if you have the tools. Then velcro down that board under the carpet. Then put back the carpet and then secure the amp to the board. This way the board is structuraly part of the car and will not bump around and the amp is fastened to the board so it will not budge either. Seriously, the trip to the store will take you longer then fastening the amp properly and the $10 in wood is well worth the longevity of your amplifier.