Quick power question: 12v or dedicated battery?

[Devman]

Okay, the wiring guides have this all nicely laid out and such, but I still manage to confuse myself. From the stock harness to the Metra harness, I've got a 12v constant power source. On my Clarion wiring harness, I've got TWO yellow power wires, 3A and 15A stamped on them, respectively, and they have it written that I need to connect them straight to the battery. So, two questions here, really.

1) Can I simply connect one of these to my 12v constant power wire? If so, which one?

2) Do I absolutely have to connect the power wires to my battery? If so, which, and where's the best point to do that? I'm leery of cutting through my firewall...

Stereo is a Clarion DXZ745MP. Stock speakers, no amps, no subs.

Thank you all for putting up with me!

Devman

 

[1sty]

Okay, the wiring guides have this all nicely laid out and such, but I still manage to confuse myself. From the stock harness to the Metra harness, I've got a 12v constant power source. On my Clarion wiring harness, I've got TWO yellow power wires, 3A and 15A stamped on them, respectively, and they have it written that I need to connect them straight to the battery. So, two questions here, really.

1) Can I simply connect one of these to my 12v constant power wire? If so, which one?

2) Do I absolutely have to connect the power wires to my battery? If so, which, and where's the best point to do that? I'm leery of cutting through my firewall...

Stereo is a Clarion DXZ745MP. Stock speakers, no amps, no subs.

Thank you all for putting up with me!

Devman

Other then the Alpine V-Drive head unit, I am not aware of any head unit that truely needs a power lead connected directly to the battery. It is always recommended for the best sound but is almost never truely neccissary. I am not familair with the new clarions though, but this is that first I have heard of it.

You should be able to connect each yellow wire of the clarions to the yellow wire of the metra harness.

 

[Devman]

So... connect BOTH wires to the 12v constant to the SINGLE Metra wire?

Devman

 

[Poseur]

indeed connect both to the singe. there's likely 2 seperate ones simply because they're for seperate things requiring seperate fuses, I'd say one being the amp, and the other perhaps being memory or something else brains-related?

Either way, yes just go ahead and connect both yellows. I believe I did that before with my clarion and had no problems. If you DO feel like running a wire to your battery, by all means do it, though. It wouldn't hurt.

 

[1sty]

So... connect BOTH wires to the 12v constant to the SINGLE Metra wire?

Devman

If all three are yello, then yes.

 

[Poseur]

Just to re-state things, so you don't panic and think you're compromising, though. Don't worry about it, connect them both to yellow on your harness, you'll be good.

 

[Devman]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the patience. First time I've messed with my car's electrical system and the paranoia of making a mistake and frying things is creeping up on me.

I owe you both a beer after I get this deck in.

Devman

 

[Devman]

Connect the two ground wires or actually connect the HU's ground wire to a real mounting location?

Lemme know,
Devman

 

[1sty]

YOu can do either.