|
CHAPTER 6
ACCESSORIES
Installation Accessories
There are many accessories that are available for
your car stereo. Some of them are necessary such as RCA cables and others are optional like wiring
harnesses.
RCA Cables:
These are the cables used to transfer pre-amp (line level) signals. Usually, you use this type of cable for
unamplified signals such as the connection between your head unit and amp or crossovers/eqs. Look for
appropriate thickness and shielding. The end connectors should be sturdy to prevent breakage from stress.
Some claim that very expensive cable makes a difference in sound quality. I do not think so, do not spend
more than $1/foot. You may need to spend more to get cables that are more immune to noise if you have that
problem in your car.
Speaker Cables:
When the line level signal from the head unit is amplified it becomes much stronger and requires thicker
cable to carry it. This is even more dramatic for subwoofer wiring. Use something between 8 gauge and 14
gauge wiring for subwoofers, nothing smaller. A lot of current has to flow through those wires. For tweeters
and midranges thickness is less critical but still important because appropriate shielding is still necessary
to prevent leakage and contamination from outside sources.
Power Distribution Blocks:
These make wiring up multiple components easy. You can run one thick power cable from the battery to the
distribution block and from there you can use its multiple outputs for each component. Some of them come with
fuses which is an added bonus. A related item is a new battery terminal which allows easy connection of your
extra power wire on the battery for the car stereo.
Capacitors:
Because music is dynamic, sometimes the power requirements of your system may be very high for brief periods
of time. If you have a small alternator or battery your car's electrical system may not be able to keep up
with demand. A "stiffening" capacitor can help this problem by providing extra storage capacity for those
high power transients. Only buy one if you have problems, like head light dimming with the bass line in
music!
Wiring Harnesses:
Are you planning on replacing your factory head unit but want to be able to put it back in easily? If so, a
wiring harness is for you. These are specially designed for each car and allow you to disconnect your stock
radio and connect a new head unit without cutting your original wiring. The wiring harness plugs into your
existing wiring and allows you to connect a new head unit to the harness.
| 
