How to wire in aux speakers.

[MadManAndrew]

So, I'm going to put two boat speakers in my toolbox in the bed of my truck, and I want to have them going through a switch so that I can cut them off when I'm just cruising, but send 'em power when I really wanna crank it out or when we're hanging around my truck. I don't know how to wire it, though. Can I Y-connect them and just run the positive through a switch? Then can I just splice it into one of my rear kick speakers, or does it have to be both for the two outside speakers? Or does it have to go all the way to the deck? I really have no idea. Please and thank you.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Blake_H]

I don't know if this would be the right way, but I would consider doing it this way.

Small amp, wired like amps should, going to your tool box speakers. I would then wire in an on/off toggle switch on the 12v trigger to the amp. That way you can shut the amp off via the toggle when your driving down the road.

Something like this Kenwood. But, if you really want to crank it up, you will need a bigger amp.

Hope this helps!

[MadManAndrew]

That sounds a lot more correct than what I was thinking, lol. Thanks.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Originally Posted by Blake_H

I don't know if this would be the right way, but I would consider doing it this way.

Small amp, wired like amps should, going to your tool box speakers. I would then wire in an on/off toggle switch on the 12v trigger to the amp. That way you can shut the amp off via the toggle when your driving down the road.

Something like this Kenwood. But, if you really want to crank it up, you will need a bigger amp.

Hope this helps!

Yea x2 that's basically what I was thinking. Was you can have all your speakers and stuff inside the truck. Then have an amp and speakers in your tool box. Run it all off a toggle to control when its on.

[tubbedII]

If your stereo is set up for 4 speakers and you're only running 2 in the cab, you can run the fronts to the ones in the cab, and the rears to the box in the bed and use the Fader control to turn them on/off.

[MadManAndrew]

Originally Posted by tubbedII

If your stereo is set up for 4 speakers and you're only running 2 in the cab, you can run the fronts to the ones in the cab, and the rears to the box in the bed and use the Fader control to turn them on/off.

I'll have seven speakers in the cab, plus my subs.
Posted via Mobile Device

[tubbedII]

Holy cow that's a lot of speakers!!! Nice! I thought since you had a toolbox in the bed, it'd be a little more of a simple set up in the cab.

The comments above have you covered then. I'd put seperate switches for the remote wires on the amps...1 switch for the inside and 1 for the outside. This way, you can turn the cab speakers off if you want to when the outside is playing. I only mention this because of battery drain when the truck isn't running. If you plan on running these speakers for an extended period, a dual battery set up might be a good idea too.

[MadManAndrew]

Okay, the amp route is probably what I'll end up doing then. Thanks. It's not that much when you consider the truck, it's a crew cab, so you have one in each door, two rear kick panel speakers, and a dash speaker. I'm already going dual batteries for a 24v winch, so I should be covered there already as well.
Posted via Mobile Device

[54chevytruck]

what i plan on doing, since this tread gave me an idea that i hadn't thought of, is wire a switch to the amp i will put in the cab of my truck and a switch to the amp for the speakers i'll put in the bed. that way i can just have the outside ones playing to save some battery.

[MadManAndrew]

If you get a 4-position switch from like radioshack or something, you can actually wire them all into the same one so that you use the same switch to change from both to front to back to off. Just an idea so that you don't have to put multiple switches in the dash. Btw, I expect credit if anybody ever asks where you got the idea
Posted via Mobile Device

[54chevytruck]

I was actually planning on doing the exact same thing with a dual battery set up but i never even considered doing it for the amps too. thanks for the idea. the only switches i have seen that are meant to handle that much power are boat battery switches and they are bulky and ugly. do you have any suggestions what else is strong enough to use while being smaller?

[MadManAndrew]

A relay would be a good way to go with that problem.
Posted via Mobile Device

[kieth]

Originally Posted by 54chevytruck

I was actually planning on doing the exact same thing with a dual battery set up but i never even considered doing it for the amps too. thanks for the idea. the only switches i have seen that are meant to handle that much power are boat battery switches and they are bulky and ugly. do you have any suggestions what else is strong enough to use while being smaller?

You do not have to hook to the high power side of the amp or install a relay. Most amps already have a relay built in them (the one you hook to the radio so the amp is only powered when the radio is on) Kieth

[MadManAndrew]

Originally Posted by kieth

You do not have to hook to the high power side of the amp or install a relay. Most amps already have a relay built in them (the one you hook to the radio so the amp is only powered when the radio is on) Kieth

I think I might have misunderstood what he was asking. I had answered under the impression that he just wanted to be able to turn a second battery on and off, but after you chiming in I'm pretty sure he was wanting to wire an amp into a second battery, in which case, yes, he need do as you suggested.

[54chevytruck]

I plan on running both amps off of the same battery. I plan on having a second battery because this truck has enough electronics that i could accidentally drain a battery fairly easily and i want a second battery just in case

[MadManAndrew]

Okay, I understand you now. You want a second battery that's not normally in the circuit so that if you accidently let the normal circuit run 'til it's dead, you can switch over and still have a good battery to start the truck, etc.? Gimme a minute and I'll draw you up a diagram.

[MadManAndrew]

For a five pole automotive relay... Should be able to pick one up at any local auto shop, along with any 2-way toggle switch.

[motornut]

Hi I wired my 81 with 2 switches to work without the key or normal
camping,leaving people in the car you don't leave the key
1 switch turns the head unit and low amp on and off another is for the subs
I like to"surprise sub attack" you turn the subs on during a song
and no one expects the hit lol great at stop lights
don't switch the speakers on and off switch the amps
otherwise the amps may blow,plus the amp is still using power if the speakers are just turned off

some newer radios have dual outs where the internal amp can be used and the rca out as well
the switches only work as a trigger for the amps
in my 78 tho using the same type switch, it is up for no key, middle is off, down is normal with key