So I don't like messing with electrical stuff and I picked up an awesome deal on a sub and amp from Juansito... anyway I took it to a custom shop (http://www.tonysstreetdreamz.net/) here in Morgantown to get it installed.

They tapped power from my Bose amp and it looks like they ran the RCA to the front of the car so God knows where they tapped for that. I'm just wondering if this is the best way they could have done it? I asked for a LOC because of the Bose but I have no idea if they actually used one.

 

they may have tapped a line at the Bose amp to use for switched power/remote turn on... If they really did run the main power connection from the Bose amp you should take it back and have it set up properly.

The RCA's from to the front could mean that they ran a LOC under the dash and then fed the signal to the rear, which is acceptable if they used the right kind of LOC (that can handle the differential signal straight from the HU). In general, LOC's that can do this correctly are a bit pricey, so you should notice it on the bill they gave you. If they used a cheapo LOC, then you are running the risk of blowing your HU.

 

Tapping the bose amp for power is a HORRIBLE idea. Any competent professional should know better than to do that. Honestly I wouldn't take it back to that shop to have it fixed, find some other competent place. The power available from that line is nowhere near what you will want to have available for a sub input. The sound source line should be tapped off of one of the plugs going into the Bose amp, it should run through a LOC there and then be put to the line level inputs on the sub amp. There is absolutely no need to run RCAs all the way up to the dash. Nothing in a simple sub install needs to go near the dash; power and ground go to the battery and chassis, signal comes off of the wires going into the Bose amp, and remote turn on, same place.

 

I dug around and there is a LOC but the power and ground are suspect. I'm sure they did it to use as little power cord as possible, I'm going to give them a call and ask to have the power redone.

 

Wow.....yea go back and have it re-done!

 

I called the shop and they said they'll fix it for me. Even if running power from the Bose amp is sufficient for a 300w amp the principle of charging me $40 for a power kit and using 2 feet of cord to get power from the amp is annoying.

 

They said getting power from the Bose is fine because it has a 50 amp fuse on it... I guess I'll trust their opinion because they were going to charge me to redo it.

 

are they going to pay you back when something fries?

 

I don't know what would fry or how... but I have my receipts.

 

Let's all hope that nothing goes awry with that setup. I would definitely say to steer clear of that shop in the future.

I would suggest re-running the power line yourself, it's not difficult and will be much better for the long-term use of your vehicle.

 

I could run an 18g speaker wire from the battery and put a 50 amp fuse on it, it certainly doesn't mean it is adequate or safe. I love my Mazdas, but I am pretty sure you will not see anyone bragging about how overbuilt our wiring harnesses are. They designed that power lead to handle the Bose amp load, and only that load. I don't have the numbers, but given the very low Ohm ratings that unit uses I doubt it was designed to handle any serious current.

I would take it to a different shop and have it wired properly, including a check on the LOC setup. If this shop was so lazy/stupid to believe the crap they are telling you then they likely messed something else up.

 

Tony's Street Dreamz did the audio in my cavalier a few years back (RIP cavalier, I do miss you )

I don't remember my installer's name, but they did a very good job on my install and even corrected some shoddy work that was done by Tweeter previously.

I'm surprised they've gone that far downhill to tap your Bose amp for power, I would definitely ask them to rerun cable to the battery.

 

I'm pretty annoyed and will never go there for anything. When I called them and the dude said come in I assumed they would fix their poor work for free... When I went in and said I hate being a naggy customer and the guy cut me off and said it's fine we charge by the hour. I wanted to knock him out.

I'm going to take it to Auto Image in NJ when I get home for break, they do quality work, every time I've been there there's an exotic in the parking lot.

EDIT: The guy who installed mine was a short dude named Todd.

 

I hope they didn't charge you much. I'm a manager at a car audio/pawn shop in charleston wv and we charge $100 to run a 4gauge kit from front to back. I would NEVER think of tapping the bose amp for power.......