Confusion - How do I power it all?

**MuddyWaters** · 08-06-2009, 12:59 PM

Hey everybody, Basic noob here. First off thansk to mp3car.com - awesome site, really learned a lot and am continuing to learn. I have a couple questions and need some help with wiring. Im installing a Mac Mini in my mustang with a complete audio system and I am a little confused about powering. Im confused as how to wire the the computer to the battery with the fuses and everything to power the computer? Also if Im running a wire from the battery terminal to power the computer, what will I use to power the amplifier which is currently connected to the battery terminal? Would both 8 gauge wired need to be connected to the battery? Im installing a mac mini using the Carnetix P1900. Can someone explain to me how to connect everything to battery - Pictures with explanations would be amazing also.

Thanks everybody.

**Punky** · 08-06-2009, 01:23 PM

Usually it goes like this:
Battery -> Fuse -> Distribution block -|-> Amp and psu (parallel) -> computer
A distribution block looks like this, if you don't already know (splits power wire):
http://wgbuckley.com/projects/dist2.gif

**MuddyWaters** · 08-06-2009, 01:51 PM

Thanks Punky thts clears things up a little better. How would I connect the wire going from the battery to the fuse then to the distribution block? would this require more than one wire?

**Punky** · 08-06-2009, 02:23 PM

nope this is a single wire operation (unless you need some heavy current then you can use 2 in parallel, hardly ever done). If you look at the amp wire kit you'll see you get one large wire that has a fuse inline with it (this is the entire system fuse usually really high current rated) from that you will run it into your distribution block, and that splits into many other 12 volt wires that should be fused separately to the proper rating of your component (ie. amp, car psu, monitor...etc)

**MuddyWaters** · 08-06-2009, 02:33 PM

Ok so for final confirmation to make sure I have this all figured out. 8ga wire connected to battery terminal connected to http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/pro...1FH4ANL-f.jpeg
Other end of this connected to a distribution block such as http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3D2%26hl%3Den
Then ill have two seperate wires coming from the distribution block, 1 into the amp, and the other into the P1900. then the wire the P1900 will go into the computer?

**MuddyWaters** · 08-06-2009, 02:41 PM

Ok so let me see if I got this right for confirmation. I will have my 8ga wire connected to the battery terminal. From the battery terminal the wire will be connected to one of these guys> http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/pro...1FH4ANL-f.jpeg Then from the other end of this to a power distribution block such as > http://www.expeditionexchange.com/jl...o006%20003.jpg (are these aftermarket distribution blocks or do cars come with them?) then from the distribution block I will have two wires. One leading to power the amp, the other connected to the P1900 which in turn connected to the mac mini...

**Punky** · 08-06-2009, 03:31 PM

you've got it, though you might've mixed up the wire lengths a bit.
Here is what it physically look like.
battery --(short wire)--->fuse-----------------------------(long wire to trunk)---------------------------> dist. block ---> amp & comp
Some amp wiring kit comes with distribution block and some don't it all depends on which one you've got. Depending on how strong your amp is, its probably a good idea to get larger wires, 8ga is a bit small in my opinion. I'd suggest 4ga wires for a safer bet.

**MuddyWaters** · 08-06-2009, 03:43 PM

Yea currently I have 0ga installed for my audio. honestly dont know why I kept referencing 8ga haha. Thanks for all your help, its greatly appreciated!