head unit installation

ok, here's the deal. I am installing the Alpine CDA-9815 unit in a 1999 acura integra ls. I figured out how to get the trim piece off, but I have two new problems. First, I am having serious problems with the dash kit.  The damn thing won't fit as per the directions of how to install it.  Secondly, there is a yellow wire from the CDA-9815 harness that is telling me to NOT connect behind the dash, but rather to connect to the battery terminal or the fuse box.  I know they are saying that because the unit requires constant power. So, I need to know where I can connect to in the fuse box to get constant power.  Thanks for your help.

Actually the reason they tell you to wire directly to the positive battery terminal is because the alpine's built-in amplifier can draw a large amount of current--more than the tiny 18 gauge factory wires could accomodate.  There IS a constant power wire in the acura/honda harness but as you can see it's pretty tiny and could not handle the potential current draw of the alpine unit, although for most aftermarket head units that wire will work just fine.

I know it's a pain in the butt and it's probably not the answer you wanted to hear, but really the correct way to get your constant power for this particular head unit is to run a fused direct connection to the positive battery terminal.

Okie I'm assuming you removed the two 8mm screws that hold in the factory radio/pocket assembly, and got the factory head unit removed.  From there, it's just a matter of trimming off the correct tabs on the kit.  Actually I should ask, which dash kit did you purchase?

no offense to the auto parts store person, but they are very very wrong.  I know you're trying to get around having to run the wire through the firewall and can tell you that it's not going to work.

I dunno what the "ignition coil fuse" is that you have it hooked up to, but the reason it needs to go directly to the battery is because that wire receives power constantly, even when the car is turned off.  When you turn off the car, the receiver powers down but still retains power so that it can keep the presets and sound settings, etc. in memory.  also it will remember where in a cd it was.  finally, it allows the mechanism of the lens to return to its resting state, rather than if u cut the power to it right away like how you're doing it right now, it stops the thing dead in its tracks (no pun intended).

this ignition coil fuse is a switched wire, meaning when you turn the car off the voltage goes away.  This is why every time you turn the car on your head unit is acting as if you just plugged it in for the first time...because essentially that IS what is happening, from a power standpoint.