the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
icon

need easy source 12v in 04 impala trunk


Post ReplyPost New Topic
< Prev Topic Next Topic >
guy48065 
Member - Posts: 5
Member spacespace
Joined: March 22, 2010
Location: Michigan, United States
Posted: March 25, 2010 at 1:58 PM / IP Logged  
I want to put a small Bazooka powered tube in my trunk and need a convenient source of 12V to tap into. Doesn't matter if it's switched or live as the tube can be powered either way. It's a fairly low--powered amp and won't add much load to an existing circuit. Not looking to run a new wire from the front--my days of multi-amp systems & window rattling are behind me :)
smtgolf 
Member - Posts: 44
Member spacespace
Joined: February 04, 2010
Location: Indiana, United States
Posted: March 25, 2010 at 10:19 PM / IP Logged  
I would be really wary of trying to tap a circuit when you don't know what else it's supporting or what it's rated at (5-15 amp fuse or more, etc.). There is a lot of risk involved where you could cause electrical system issues in other parts of the car. The smallest bazooka amps run 50 watts. That's a minimum of 4.5 amps you'll be trying to pull through an existing circuit which may not have the headroom for that. If it's a 100 watt amp, even worse.
Running wire is never fun (I've done it enough too) but safe. Impalas have some easy holes to get through the firewall. For safety and peace of mind, I would consider buying a $20 amp kit, run it down one side and hook it up at the battery the right way. No more than 1 hour on the impala.
KPierson 
Platinum - Posts: 3,527
Platinum spaceThis member consistently provides reliable informationspace
Joined: April 14, 2005
Location: Ohio, United States
Posted: March 26, 2010 at 5:33 AM / IP Logged  
I would agree 100%.  OEM systems are not designed to have much extra capacity on them.  The wires are the aboslute smallest capable of delivering the designed load (saving GM money and weight).
Kevin Pierson
guy48065 
Member - Posts: 5
Member spacespace
Joined: March 22, 2010
Location: Michigan, United States
Posted: March 26, 2010 at 9:57 AM / IP Logged  
My thinking was a 50-watt amp is only using 2-3 amps on average and I don't listen to very loud music anymore--especially as this is a factory system that doesn't sound good cranked up. A circuit for something like the trunk release needs to carry quite a few amps but 99.9% of the time it isn't used. I thought maybe someone would know of such a rarely-used source.
I haven't had to wire up a system in years. Getting through the firewall isn't the hard part--it's removing all that trim, back seat, etc to run the wire to the trunk.
My Aurora had all the power you could want under the back seat so that was easy. Everything else I've owned lately has either been a SUV or minivan and they all have had high-current accessory power in the back.

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.

  Printable version Printable version Post ReplyPost New Topic
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

  •  
Search the12volt.com
Follow the12volt.com Follow the12volt.com on Facebook
Monday, April 29, 2024 • Copyright © 1999-2024 the12volt.com, All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy & Use of Cookies
Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.

Secured by Sectigo
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer
Support the12volt.com
Top
the12volt.com spacer
the12volt.com spacer