?s about wiring my system

[ForOffRoadDriving]

thanks ranger svt, that cleared things up a little bit. so far i think ive got a plan of execution for this thing, as long as i can get that kenwood pictured above fixed. im going to run 1 sub off from each of the small amps (the MTX RT202s (200w)) and then ill combine my front speakers on one channel and my rears on the other and these will be running off from the MTX RTP 202 (400w). or i could do it the other way around, use the 400w for the subs and then use the 200w to run the speakers, that way the out puts on the stereo will plug directly into the amps without messing with rca Y cables. i want to get this wired up on my next 4 day weekend, since im going to gut the entire interior to run all the wiring cleanly in 1 shot(nothing will be visible on the exterior). any suggestions on getting that kenwood fixed, maybe i should feed it 12v and bench test it so see what it does so i can describe the problem better?

 

[RangerSVT]

From what I remember of the excelons (great radio BTW, I'd have one in a heartbeat) they are just like the Eclipse HU's, they have a certain program CD IF they are programmed...If you dont know, you run the RCA's and the remote (amp turn on) down the middle, power wires down the outside, and speaker wires down the other side. This is to keep RF interference out of the audio system...I'd run 3 sets of RCA's, 3 sets of remotes, this way you have them if you decide to upgrade later, the wires will be there...For now you can run the RCA's into one amp and out into the 2nd and 3rd amps til you get your HU fixed...
SVT

 

[RangerSVT]

Just to give you some motivation, here are some pics from my old B2...

Here is my box I started on my lowrider

Here is an Expedition I did for a friend of mine, won best of show

Here is a (cough) camaro I did for another friend

Am I worthy??
SVT

 

[4x4fun]

From what I remember of the excelons (great radio BTW, I'd have one in a heartbeat) they are just like the Eclipse HU's, they have a certain program CD IF they are programmed...If you dont know, you run the RCA's and the remote (amp turn on) down the middle, power wires down the outside, and speaker wires down the other side. This is to keep RF interference out of the audio system...I'd run 3 sets of RCA's, 3 sets of remotes, this way you have them if you decide to upgrade later, the wires will be there...For now you can run the RCA's into one amp and out into the 2nd and 3rd amps til you get your HU fixed...
SVT

x2

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

thanks guys, i was aware of the wiring thing (keeping them separated due to interference), thats why im going to gut the entire interior when i set it up, so that i can cleanly run things and then put wire loom on them to protect them from the herculiner i put on the floorboards and about a foot up the sides of the interior. i called kenwood tech support today to see where i can send this thing to get it fixed, but they were closed. i bench tested it and it didnt do much at all, it wont power up the display but when i hit the eject button the face plate swiveled down and then stayed there, i cant get it to go back up.

on another note, is there someone that makes DIY rca cables, so i can make them to the lengths that i want instead of having to buy 15' lengths and coil up what i dont need? ive heard radio shack has different length cables, but i cant ever seem to get there before they close. hopefully my new amp will be here in a few more days and i can get it painted up to match (wrinkle black and tahoe blue metallic) and then figure out where im going to mount it (i think that bungee baskets days are numbered, or its due for a serius shortening).

 

[rjppunk]

partsexpress has a few different lengths, I found with the 15' ones I got just enough room to run them across the passanger side and into the back. If you're lucky they still have the 15' monster cables on sale for 5$

 

[RangerFabWorks]

there should be a reset button on the faceplate.

its very tiny, just enough to get a finish nail in. push it and it should work.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

thats what i was thinking, that 15' would reach from front to back but i wasnt sure. i took measurements about a month ago and from the HU straight down to the floor and across the top of the transmission tunnel to the back wall of the cab was about 13-14', so i should be able to make that work. i guess ill have to use some string and make a dry run to where ill be mounting them and then measure what i end up needing. i called kenwood again and got to talk to someone this time so it looks like ill be sending the HU to new jersey for repair (they estimated 2-4 weeks before id get it back), so im thinking ill do what svt ranger said and get 3 pairs of rca cables and bundle them together under the flooring and then plug one pair into my existing HU and then chain the amps all together until i get the exceleron unit back, then i can just plug in the other rcas and ill be in business. when i wire up the front and rear speakers with the new speaker wire (ive got 100' of 16ga. speaker wire), should i solder the wires to the speaker terminals or do you recommend getting the female spade connectors to slip onto the terminals for easy removal? will there be a noticeable difference in sound quality since they will be amplified or am i just getting to carried away now? i work at a parts store, so i can crack open a catalog with electrical connectors and wiz-bangs and then get carried away with what i CAN do and easliy over engineer what i NEED to do.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

i already tried the reset button but still got no response from the unit, though sometimes the faceplate will open up without touching anything, and then refuse to close until it feels its ready, if i still have power hooked up to it.

 

[RangerSVT]

Soldering is the best connection, but is not required. Butt connecting the wires is sufficient enough. Soldering is good for sensitive ohm/resistance loads or where high humidity environments where corrosion will affect the connection, neither which you have to worry about. Butt connecting/quick disconnects will be fine.
SVT

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

thanks rangersvt, i thought the spade terminals would be fine, but i have the means to solder (ok ill admit i love to solder and make my own cables and things, id rather build it than buy it). i may have a line on a 600w 4 channel amp so my plans might once again change. i bench tested (ran 12v +/- to the amp) to the 2 MTXs that i have and the red LED turned on with the new amp, but the old amp that i already had been using for 4 years wouldnt light for me. im thinking i disturbed the metal prongs in the LED too much when i disassembled it for paint so im probably going to be looking for a replacement LED (not that its a huge deal but im anal about the litle shit like not having both LEDs light up when the stereo is turned on). any suggestions on where to get a new one?

 

[4x4fun]

thanks rangersvt, i thought the spade terminals would be fine, but i have the means to solder (ok ill admit i love to solder and make my own cables and things, id rather build it than buy it). i may have a line on a 600w 4 channel amp so my plans might once again change. i bench tested (ran 12v +/- to the amp) to the 2 MTXs that i have and the red LED turned on with the new amp, but the old amp that i already had been using for 4 years wouldnt light for me. im thinking i disturbed the metal prongs in the LED too much when i disassembled it for paint so im probably going to be looking for a replacement LED (not that its a huge deal but im anal about the litle shit like not having both LEDs light up when the stereo is turned on). any suggestions on where to get a new one?

radio shack

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

thanks 4x4 fun, it looks like i need to plan a trip there this weekend to pic up some rca cables and an LED. i did end up getting that 600w amp from my friend, its a kenwood KAC-729S and its in decently used condition and although im not sure if im going to use it in my truck its still nice to have the option.

 

[RangerSVT]

Thats not a 4 channel amp, its two channel, one set of terminals are the outputs, the other set is high impedance/speaker level inputs....
SVT

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

oops, i forgot to edit that post after receiving the amp and realizing that it wasnt a 4 channel. i powered it up and it turns on, but i dont think ill be able to make it work with what im trying to do so im just going to hang onto it use it on a later project. i did receive the 400w mtx amp today, so ill have pictures up tomorrow when i get to work. im going to paint it to match the others and then draw up a couple of diagrams and see what you guys think of my plan. if this was fab work id just build it and then show you the end product, but since this audio stuff isnt exactly my strong suit ill continue to consult you guys since you seem to have all the answers im looking for.