adding fans to cool amp

Hi everyone.  I currently drive a toyota 4runner and am planning to install a bazooka el2150 amp.  Not wanting to sacrifice any cargo space, I've decided to put the big ole thing into one of the rear side pockets.  My problem is that the space in this pocket is enclosed and I'm afraid that there isn't sufficient ventilation for cooling.  I was thinking about installing a couple of fans(intake + outtake; is usin 2 overkill?) into the door that closes up the pocket.  Would this solve my problem or is there something else I could do? 

I did a search on this forum to find out about installing some fans too.  It seems I need a relay for the job and generally understand how to wire it.  However, this silly retartid monkey doesn't know where to find the constant 12V source to connect to the relay.  Do I just use the same one that goes to the stereo head unit?

Does anyone have any other tips/advice for me?

Thanks!  This forum has been a great help for me.

Sweet!  So everything works well in your van?

I don't understand what you mean by the "power wire from the amp for your 12V source."  Could ya explain a bit for me?

Most fans have two wires:  the 12v trigger/turn-on and the negative.  I'd recommend connecting the 12v trigger wire to the turn-on lead coming from your amp.  There should be three power-based connections on your amp; the 12v constant connection (this is the one that *should* be coming directly from your battery, the ground connection, and the amp turn-on connection.  The last connection is the one that I'm talking about.  That way, the fan comes on when the amp comes on, and turns off when the amp turns off.  If you hook it up to the 12v constant connection, the fan will stay on all the time (unless you have some sort of switch to turn it off).

And I don't know what kind of fan you have, but make sure you have the fans oriented correctly.  Doesn't do much good if you have both of them sucking air in, but none coming out, or vice versa...

In any case, good luck with your install.

I think you can burn out your remote lead on your HU if you dont use a relay for applications using more than one component.  Correct me If Im wrong.

A relay is a good idea with multi-amp setups especially with a fan.  If you set up your relay at the head unit, you can tap at any time to add an EQ or other equipment requiring a remote turn-on, tapping the factory 12v constant at the HU.    If you relay at the amps, tap a wire from the 12v input terminal to use as a constant.

Did you know Peter North started his career in the industry with lets say...other installers with the same tool package? 

Oh yea.  I forgot to mention that the remote turn on is already being used to start the rear "factory amps" for the speakers in the back, and I was planning to turn on another amp + fans(them lighted 80mm computer fans with laser cut steel BATMAN grill   ).  I'll be sure to have one blowing in and one blowing out w/ a filter at the intake to keep some dust from accumulating.

So.....you're saying I can just cut into the yellow 12V source that's going into the HU for the constant source and have it split to the HU and the relay? 

Thanks for the replies.

You have the correct idea on how to cool them but in order to hook it up you will need power. You will also need to turn that power on and off as nubiannupe said. Now to hook up the power to the fan you will need to use your remote turn on lead to supply + power to the fan.  Now that remote turn on lead can only supply a limited amount of power so to increase that you will need to hook up a SPDT relay https://www.the12volt.com/relays/relays.asp to the remote turn on so you get the correct amount of power. And then connect your ground wire on the fan to a ground source. Here is a diagram that explains how to hook up the relay:

• 87 - Constant
• 86 : GROUND
• 30 - Remote Wire Accessories ( amps and fans )
• 85 : Remote Input from HU
• 87a: NOT USED

I was just unclear of where to get the "constant" power for the #87 terminal on the relay.  Do I just splice into one of the wires that supplies power to the HU, or is there another place where I can grab a wire to connect there, or can i stick a small wire into my powerwire coming from the battery going to the amp?

Also, I recall something about putting a fuse somewhere just to be safe.  Command this silly newbie.  I shall do thy bidding.

On a side note...is it just a wire that's loose if my climate control lights dont turn on unless i give the console a little "love tap"?

I see.  Thanks for the clarification.

Now, what's the easiest way to tap into the powerwire for the amplifier?  I don't have a distribution block.

What if I just wrap a wire around the end of a power wire and insert them both into the power input of the amplifier?  Would this be acceptable or would stuff blow up?

Hey bberman.  As far as putting a relay closer to the HU, why cant you tap from the factory 12V?  Isnt the constant radio wire factory fused?  Or is that not the issue? 

Soon, I will have a few items in the dash which require remote turn-on in addition to the amps.  Need to know.  Thanks.

I'll say no, because thats the correct answer? 

Are we talking E = I X R ?  Which part of Ohm's Law is applicable and what does that translate to in a negative outcome?  Burned out head unit?

Thanks much for taking the time. 

Well then why don’t you get your power for your amps from the head units constant?
I’m not saying it wont work I’m suggestion the best way to do it is to run a separate line to the relay. Let’s say you have a 45 amp relay and you are running 40 amps off the relay do you want to end up pulling an additional 40 amps off that constant wire? Do you want to end up like this? ( no offence carguy411) https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=2&TopicID=6262&SearchPagePosition=1&search=head+unit+dims&searchMode=allwords&searchIn=Thread&forum=0&searchSort=dateDESC&ReturnPage=Search#thread 

"Let’s say you have a 45 amp relay and you are running 40 amps off the relay do you want to end up pulling an additional 40 amps off that constant wire?"

Point taken.  Learned something new.  Thats why I ask.  Thanks for responding.