what wire to use for a power lead?
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=29139
Printed Date: May 11, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Topic: what wire to use for a power lead?
Posted By: Shootem up870
Subject: what wire to use for a power lead?
Date Posted: March 27, 2004 at 9:49 PM
i have a 1987 chevy full size pick-up. i need to run a wire to the batter for my stereo's memory. can i just use regular speaker wire or is there a special kind of wire for this? thanks for your help Nick
Replies:
Posted By: Clean Install
Date Posted: March 27, 2004 at 9:57 PM
you will be just fine running a speaker wire for a constant power...have you checked for a constant wire with a dmm ? make sure that you place a fuse near the battery  ------------- If we learn from each success and
each failure, then we can improve ourselves
Posted By: Shootem up870
Date Posted: March 27, 2004 at 10:01 PM
what is a dmm? (this is my first stereo install) and im pretty sure there is a fuse on the wire for power going to the stereo.
Posted By: Clean Install
Date Posted: March 27, 2004 at 10:13 PM
Shootem up870 wrote:
i have a 1987 chevy full size pick-up. i need to run a wire to the batter for my stereo's memory. can i just use regular speaker wire or is there a special kind of wire for this? thanks for your help Nick
A digital multimeter or a analog multimeter..... If you run a new wire from your cd player to the battery you will want to place a fuse near the battery just in case.... if you have a multimeter you can test for a constant 12v lead.... ------------- If we learn from each success and
each failure, then we can improve ourselves
Posted By: Shootem up870
Date Posted: March 27, 2004 at 10:21 PM
yes i have a multimeter. so if i can find a constant 12v lead i can just wire into that? how are you supposed to do it? thank you
Posted By: Clean Install
Date Posted: March 27, 2004 at 10:25 PM
when you took out your factory deck, you will find a constant 12v lead in the factory harness which all you must do is just splice into that wire... ? how did you wire the rest of your head unit ? such as the accessory, ground, etc....? ------------- If we learn from each success and
each failure, then we can improve ourselves
Posted By: Shootem up870
Date Posted: March 27, 2004 at 10:30 PM
i was told that for my truck since it has nothing to remember (it is all analog), i would have to run a memory lead. it only has an accessory lead. i have not took the stereo out completely yet. i did buy a wiring harness though and supposively (ill see tomorrow when i take it completely out) that after i wire it to my stereo head i can just plug it into what the factory radio was plugged into. (sorry if i am unclear)
Posted By: Clean Install
Date Posted: March 27, 2004 at 10:41 PM
here this should help: 1978-87 Chevrolet C/K Pickup Stereo Information according to the diagram your constant will be Orange ------------- If we learn from each success and
each failure, then we can improve ourselves
Posted By: Shootem up870
Date Posted: March 27, 2004 at 10:44 PM
thank you cfor your help clean install. i appreciate your time! ill copy that down for tomorrow
Posted By: Clean Install
Date Posted: March 27, 2004 at 10:50 PM
post back if you have any trouble...good luck
-------------
If we learn from each success and
each failure, then we can improve ourselves
Posted By: Metra Tech
Date Posted: March 28, 2004 at 10:48 AM
All you need to do is go to the fuse box and plug a wire in with a male uninsulated speaker terminal to the BAT terminal. It's fused and very easy to access.
Posted By: superstreet786
Date Posted: March 28, 2004 at 5:37 PM
any wire will work for that as long as its not higher than 16 gauge or so
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---- 1996 Chevy S10 ----
1 Lightning Audio S2.600.2 Amp
2 Lightning Audio 12" Subs
1 Lightning Audio 1 Farad Cap
Posted By: Shootem up870
Date Posted: March 28, 2004 at 5:43 PM
what if the wire is 18 gauge. my speaker wire doesnt say what it is but i think it is 18
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