Amp fitting - too many cables!

[Rooster]

I'm currently trying to fit an amp and some other bits and pieces into my Octy vRS, and need help!


I've already read the excellent guides from Quinten and Doer1 (for the Furby, admittedly, but still some useful info), and will be locating my grommit shortly!
I've also searched for the info I need, but had no luck.

1. How can I remove the rear ashtray to get at the screws holding the handbrake
trim in place?

I've pulled out the actual ashtray bit, and coin holder, but can't remove the
pocket bit with the door attatched. I've tried bending back the edges in case
there are tabs below, but now think it may have something to do with the
metal clips I can just see on the bottom.

2. Can the side trim be removed near the centre pillar, or is it just a case of
feeding cables under?

3. I read somewhere about a +ve bus bar on the fuse box. Has anyone used this
to power things in the front? Would I be better to sever my main amp power
feed (4awg) to the rear and insert a distribution box?

I'm fitting a screen and centre speaker, and also want to provide power to my
laptop and ancilleries (first itteration of a mini itx carputer project). I have a
selection of gold power distribution bits and bobs from previous projects.

4. I'm wanting to run 3 sets of RCA cables, plus maybe a AV (RCA+composite)
cable and a couple of low-current power switching cables to the rear - has
anyone got experience of fitting this many cable - and do they fit???? Room
looks a bit tght down the side to me.

5. Whe feeding cables along the side, the trim narrows to a hole at the back of
the rear door, before joining the wheelarch (front) plastic trim. Is there an
alternative route to reach the rear with RCAs?

6. When feeding power cable through the centre of the car (as described by
Quinten) how do you get it into the boot from the centre tunnel? There is
quite a pronounced lip at the rear of the seats.


Lots of questions, I know - i've installed ICE before, but never in a car i've owned from new - i'm reluctant to pull things about too much, especially if the knowledge is already out there.

Thanks for reading, I hope someone can help.

Rooster.

[daver]

I have installed a similar set up with 3 RCA's a power feed a low power switching and a lead back from my DMP3 to the satellite display, I fed everything down the sides, there is a suprising amount of room, my car was nearly new when I fitted this, the door surround rubber trims just pull out and you can unclip thye trim that covers the seatbelt. Also if you pull the seats forward there are some plastic screw caps that can be undone to allow better access, its a bit fiddly but the cables have all gone in and are well hidden and protected.
You will also find that removing the glovebox whilst you are fitting it all really makes access to the back of the HU much easier.
Be careful where you site your crossovers if you are using passive as they can easily pick upi electrical noise from various things under the dash ( I ended up wrapping mine in thin lead sheet to make sure that they are totally Dead to interference.

Dave

If you have any problems with getting bits off PM me and I'll see if I can Help

[vRS_Si]

[quote=Rooster]

1. How can I remove the rear ashtray to get at the screws holding the handbrake
trim in place?

Stick a flathead screwdriver underneath it and prise it up, it's held in by a number of clips, baffeled me for ages that!!

2. Can the side trim be removed near the centre pillar, or is it just a case of
feeding cables under?

It can, remove the rubber door seals and the trim along the door sills, stick the same screwdriver behind and prise it away from the clips. Theres also a screw at the top of the panel, look behind the seatbelt

3. I read somewhere about a +ve bus bar on the fuse box. Has anyone used this
to power things in the front? Would I be better to sever my main amp power
feed (4awg) to the rear and insert a distribution box?

I use the bus bar to run rear screens and my PS2, it's above the pedals, really easy to get to and plently of room in there to feed off cables. Personally i'd run your 4gauge straight from the battery to the boot, but use the bus bar for things like your laptop.

4. I'm wanting to run 3 sets of RCA cables, plus maybe a AV (RCA+composite)
cable and a couple of low-current power switching cables to the rear - has
anyone got experience of fitting this many cable - and do they fit???? Room
looks a bit tght down the side to me.

Personally, I sent my power down the side, and 4 RCAs down the centre!!
Either way theres just enough room.

5. Whe feeding cables along the side, the trim narrows to a hole at the back of
the rear door, before joining the wheelarch (front) plastic trim. Is there an
alternative route to reach the rear with RCAs?

Yes, by sending them down the centre.

6. When feeding power cable through the centre of the car (as described by
Quinten) how do you get it into the boot from the centre tunnel? There is
quite a pronounced lip at the rear of the seats.

I think most people send the cable below the seat and then out over that lip, though I believe it's possible to send it up the side and have it come out behind the rear seatbelt.

[Rooster]

Thanks to both of you for the help!

I gave up with the idea of going down the centre in the end, as i didn't want to break anything! The passenger trim came off fairly easy, so I thought I might as well do the same the other side.

Car is currently in pieces, but so far i've managed to get the power cable through the bulkhead (std grommit behind air filter), although I lost a lot of skin in the process. Couldn't work out how to remove the scuttle (again perhaps being too cautious?) so I just propped it up as far as I could and managed to just about reach the grommit. Unfortunately the grommit isn't sitting back in the hole now, so I have to try again next weekend before powering up - any tips on getting the scuttle cover off???

Found the screw on pillar trim. Will have to lay the cable towards the back one night this week. Have decided to run the 4awg straight to the rear, and take off the bus bar (or some small gauge cable ran alongside the power from rear) for the front screen, centre speaker and laptop.


Picked up my shelf and sub box from Auto Acousics today, and i'm dead chuffed! The box is custom made to fit behind the wheel arch and looks great. Will post full info and pics once i'm done. Feel like a kid at christmas - looking forward to seeing (and hearing) it all finished.

[Rooster]

vRS_SI - where did you fit your ps2, and are you powering it via an inverter or some kind of 12v regulator? I've searched the internet and couldn't find a 12v adaptor for the ps2.

[vRS_Si]

Originally Posted by Rooster

vRS_SI - where did you fit your ps2, and are you powering it via an inverter or some kind of 12v regulator? I've searched the internet and couldn't find a 12v adaptor for the ps2.

My PS2 currently sits loose in the rear passenger footwell.
Theres no room in my boot!!
I just unplug it everytime I get home and take it into the house overnight.

It's powered from a Big Cat Technologies PS2 power supply.
http://www.bigcattech.com/
Can be found at this link but we also supply them.
Let me know if you want me to get you a price.
Works really well and is a better option than an invertor running from the cigarette lighter. Take my 12v feed from the bus-bar and earth it under the rear seats.