Radio Wiring

[oli8925]

Where is the best and neatest place to take the power for the radio from on an HC?

The PO used choc blocks and scotch locks to wire in to the wiring coming off the ignition switch, but I've never been confident of it nor do I like the use of choc blocks and scotch locks too much.

I'm currently re-wiring my radio and wiring in a cig lighter, so am putting the new ignition switch I have in as well as it's not all chopped up. I would take power from the bulkhead connector but I need to order in some of the bullet connectors or find a place near that sells them.

Oli

[hbpeter]

Run a wire straight to the battery with an inline fuse.

Peter

[viva les vegas]

I found that there's an ignition live wire behind the dash that wasn't connected to anything on mine, and took a feed for a permanent live from the lights. Also took a feed from the sidelights to my stereo so that when the lights are on, the stereo goes dim

[oli8925]

I'm now thinking I might as well wait until the connectors come so I can do it through the bulkhead connector. In the mean time I'll continue to use the old switch with the radio scotch lock connections in.

I also took a feed from the sidelight to the stereo so that it dims, although on mine it's only a few buttons that dim and not the whole display which is annoying as its a little too bright to be comfortable at night I also took a feed from here for the light on the cigarette lighter. This should work shouldn't it?

I might also put an amp in the boot. What's the best option for power? Run a cable down from the front underneath the car and through the boot floor? Was a lot easier in the Mini

[viva les vegas]

The wire for the cigarette lighter is already there, or should be. I might be tempted to run a cable through to the boot on the inside rather than under.

[dann01]

I would run quite a heavy fresh live feed via a small fuse box through the bulkhead, running through the car and into the boot for the amp... I'd also use anothe fuse on same box for the Stereo unit. But that's just me.

There should be a spare live and neg under the dash for the cigarette lighter, behind the dash panel to the left of the wheel. If I remember right they are a switched green and white live and a purple and white neg with spades on.

Dan