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Amp Ground

35K views 63 replies 15 participants last post by  ibanender  
#1 ·
What is the best way to secure the ground for my amp in my NBS crew? I'm thinking that just screwing it to the floor isn't a good idea:shakehead:. Suggestions?
 
#6 ·
Whine comes from rca signals and power signals mixing. Don't run your rca and power together. My ground is on my seat bolt. Nov whining

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#7 ·
No clue, that's why I was asking. You've grounded yours there? I'm just wanting to make sure it's done and won't cause an annoying whine like I have dealt with in the past.
As long as it's clean and secure, you're fine. That includes with a screw to the floor.

Whine comes from rca signals and power signals mixing. Don't run your rca and power together. My ground is on my seat bolt. Nov whining

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I've installed hundreds of amps with RCA's and power next to each other without noise problems. It can cause noise, but even with cheap RCA's is rare anymore.
 
#8 ·
Seat bolt would be ideal. Make sure it's bare at contact. And always run signal wires away from power and ground. It's easier to do right the first time.
 
#9 ·
Image


This is a proper ground. NOT A SEAT BOLT! Every time I've ever seen a weekend warrior ground to a seat bolt, I cringe.
 
#11 ·
If it is properly cleaned, how is a seat bolt any different than what you just showed us?
Grounding to a seat bolt is lazy and ghetto in my opinion. With the way I was taught, you can ground as close to the amp as possible; which is also the best recommended ground. This ground will never come loose since there is a lock washer and nut on the bottom side. Seat bolts are usually studs that come up from underneath and can and have broke loose before. To each his own, but I was taught by one of the best installers in the business so I take his methods to heart. If you trust a seat bolt then that is your business. I take more pride in my work than that and my installs (and customers) speak for themselves.
 
#12 ·
Grounding to a seat bolt is lazy and ghetto in my opinion. With the way I was taught, you can ground as close to the amp as possible; which is also the best recommended ground. This ground will never come loose since there is a lock washer and nut on the bottom side. Seat bolts are usually studs that come up from underneath and can and have broke loose before. To each his own, but I was taught by one of the best installers in the business so I take his methods to heart. If you trust a seat bolt then that is your business. I take more pride in my work than that and my installs (and customers) speak for themselves.
If you were taught by the best, they'd tell you to run a ground wire to the battery along side the power wire instead of grounding to the body :)
 
#13 ·
Image


This is a proper ground. NOT A SEAT BOLT! Every time I've ever seen a weekend warrior ground to a seat bolt, I cringe.
If you're serious, go slap yourself in the head. You're still bolting the connection to bare metal on the body. Yours just happens to look like shit.
 
#14 ·
Grounding to a seat bolt is lazy and ghetto in my opinion. With the way I was taught, you can ground as close to the amp as possible; which is also the best recommended ground. This ground will never come loose since there is a lock washer and nut on the bottom side. Seat bolts are usually studs that come up from underneath and can and have broke loose before. To each his own, but I was taught by one of the best installers in the business so I take his methods to heart. If you trust a seat bolt then that is your business. I take more pride in my work than that and my installs (and customers) speak for themselves.
Who is this magic installer?
 
#15 ·
If you were taught by the best, they'd tell you to run a ground wire to the battery along side the power wire instead of grounding to the body :)
I always thought this was way overkill for single battery set ups. Battery to frame, amp to frame. Can save a ton of wire depending on the type of truck or car.
 
#16 ·
Grounding to a seat bolt is lazy and ghetto in my opinion. With the way I was taught, you can ground as close to the amp as possible; which is also the best recommended ground. This ground will never come loose since there is a lock washer and nut on the bottom side. Seat bolts are usually studs that come up from underneath and can and have broke loose before. To each his own, but I was taught by one of the best installers in the business so I take his methods to heart. If you trust a seat bolt then that is your business. I take more pride in my work than that and my installs (and customers) speak for themselves.
You're retarded. My seatbelt bolt is a whole 8" distance from the amp, and they never come loose lol.

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#17 ·
Grounding to a seat bolt is lazy and ghetto in my opinion. With the way I was taught, you can ground as close to the amp as possible; which is also the best recommended ground. This ground will never come loose since there is a lock washer and nut on the bottom side. Seat bolts are usually studs that come up from underneath and can and have broke loose before. To each his own, but I was taught by one of the best installers in the business so I take his methods to heart. If you trust a seat bolt then that is your business. I take more pride in my work than that and my installs (and customers) speak for themselves.
I trust Sean more than anyone. He is to put it lightly the best.
 
#18 ·
As long as it's clean and secure, you're fine. That includes with a screw to the floor.



I've installed hundreds of amps with RCA's and power next to each other without noise problems. It can cause noise, but even with cheap RCA's is rare anymore.
So if I chose to use the seat bolt, I would take the floor to bare metal, removing the paint and then mount the seat on top of my around, taking the paint off the bottom of the seat track?
 
#19 ·
I always thought this was way overkill for single battery set ups. Battery to frame, amp to frame. Can save a ton of wire depending on the type of truck or car.
There are 3 ways to do anything in life. The way that doesn't work, the way that works, and the best way. The best way might not be the cheapest way, it may be unnecessary, but it's still the best. If I run multiple batteries, I run a ground wire. If I'm running enough power to require an extra battery, ground wire is necessary anyway. At least, for best results. (there's that best word again)
 
#20 ·
There are 3 ways to do anything in life. The way that doesn't work, the way that works, and the best way. The best way might not be the cheapest way, it may be unnecessary, but it's still the best. If I run multiple batteries, I run a ground wire. If I'm running enough power to require an extra battery, ground wire is necessary anyway. At least, for best results. (there's that best word again)
I said for single battery set ups. You mean to tell me you run power and ground to an amp? Multiple batteries? No doubt you're pulling wires. I'd be shocked if it was more effiecient through a ground cable then through the frame for a single battery set up. I'm way to lazy to look into it thou.
 
#21 ·
Grounding to a seat bolt is lazy and ghetto in my opinion. With the way I was taught, you can ground as close to the amp as possible; which is also the best recommended ground. This ground will never come loose since there is a lock washer and nut on the bottom side. Seat bolts are usually studs that come up from underneath and can and have broke loose before. To each his own, but I was taught by one of the best installers in the business so I take his methods to heart. If you trust a seat bolt then that is your business. I take more pride in my work than that and my installs (and customers) speak for themselves.
If my seat studs are pulling loose the last thing I'm going to worry about is if my amp is still grounded! :imo
 
#22 ·
I said for single battery set ups. You mean to tell me you run power and ground to an amp? Multiple batteries? No doubt you're pulling wires. I'd be shocked if it was more effiecient through a ground cable then through the frame for a single battery set up. I'm way to lazy to look into it thou.
I've been known to do it for single battery setups too. It depends on limitations. If the amp is large and I can't have more than 1 battery, it's the only way to go.
 
#23 ·
I have.my ground on the jack mount under the center of the rear seat. A seatbolt is fine as long as the surface is clean and the run isnt to long. Who taught you.breh?
 
#24 ·
I've been known to do it for single battery setups too. It depends on limitations. If the amp is large and I can't have more than 1 battery, it's the only way to go.
Better man then me. I got tons of 1/0 laying around and still wouldn't do it. How large is "large"?
 
#25 ·
Basically from my experiences and correct.me.if.im.wrong.but anything.more than 1500-2000 watts rms needs more batterys or alternators depending.on what your starting with. My s10"s that i have done have alwaya had an upgraded alt but thats just from what i have dealt.with
 
#26 ·
Better man then me. I got tons of 1/0 laying around and still wouldn't do it. How large is "large"?
2000+, which really should have another battery on it but doesn't always work out that way.

Basically from my experiences and correct.me.if.im.wrong.but anything.more than 1500-2000 watts rms needs more batterys or alternators depending.on what your starting with. My s10"s that i have done have alwaya had an upgraded alt but thats just from what i have dealt.with
Yes and yes, but definitely alternator.