Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: Pricey on 09 February 2010, 11:52:54

Title: Advice needed re: Sound System!
Post by: Pricey on 09 February 2010, 11:52:54
Hi all, new to the board here...got myself a 1999 Omega 2.5 v6 on Friday (pics will follow soon!) and was just wondering has anybody got experience of fitting newer speakers/subs/amps to an Omega? I have a 12" Vibe sub & amp lying in the garage which I have thought about wiring up to the standard HU by means of a phono convertor...just wondering how easy/hard it is to run a power cable from the battery into the car - routing wires from the back of the HU to the boot...Im guessing I could just use 1 of the rear lights for a ground for the amp...but then I was also thinking of getting a new HU and then getting better speakers...any advice at all on what to do would be greatly appreciated, cheers!

Chris
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: Dave DND on 09 February 2010, 12:01:32
Quote
Hi all, new to the board here...got myself a 1999 Omega 2.5 v6 on Friday (pics will follow soon!) and was just wondering has anybody got experience of fitting newer speakers/subs/amps to an Omega? I have a 12" Vibe sub & amp lying in the garage which I have thought about wiring up to the standard HU by means of a phono convertor...just wondering how easy/hard it is to run a power cable from the battery into the car - routing wires from the back of the HU to the boot...Im guessing I could just use 1 of the rear lights for a ground for the amp...but then I was also thinking of getting a new HU and then getting better speakers...any advice at all on what to do would be greatly appreciated, cheers!

Chris

Hi, and welcome to the forum

Quote
Im guessing I could just use 1 of the rear lights for a ground for the amp

I regret to say that if that is the limit of your electrical knowledge, then to be on the safe side, I would get this professionally installed, as what you are thinking is simply electrically dangerous.

 :'(
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: Pricey on 09 February 2010, 12:05:58
Sorry after reading what I wrote it does make me sound like a bit of an idiot...I mean an earthing point by 1 of the rear lights,as this is the area I have used in my Ibiza and Astra.
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: Welung666 on 09 February 2010, 12:30:09
Quote
Sorry after reading what I wrote it does make me sound like a bit of an idiot...I mean an earthing point by 1 of the rear lights,as this is the area I have used in my Ibiza and Astra.

You're not the first and definately won't be the last on here ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: Dave DND on 09 February 2010, 12:31:55
Quote
Sorry after reading what I wrote it does make me sound like a bit of an idiot...I mean an earthing point by 1 of the rear lights,as this is the area I have used in my Ibiza and Astra.

I know exactly what you mean, and the earthing point by the rear lights ON ANY CAR is just plain dangerous and should not be used. I have a website with lots of pictures of installs such as this where the cars have gone up in smoke !!

If you are keen to learn about how to fit car audio properly, you could do a lot worse than to search for a Haynes manual on In Car Entertainment, as it gives a good head start on how to fit stuff, and certainly how to find and use a suitable earth point in the car.

 :y
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: unlucky mark mv6 on 09 February 2010, 12:52:09
In the past when ive fitted amps,i have always bolted the earth straight to the body,and never shared an earth point with any other peice of electrical equipment,and before you bolt it down,scrub the paint off first. :y
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: Dave DND on 09 February 2010, 12:56:20
Quote
In the past when ive fitted amps,i have always bolted the earth straight to the body,and never shared an earth point with any other peice of electrical equipment,and before you bolt it down,scrub the paint off first. :y

Ideal position is boot floor, as close to the chassis box section as you can - strongest area is near base of suspension turret.
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: tunnie on 09 February 2010, 12:57:14
decent earth in the Omega boot is the lip into the cabin where the Ski hatch is, several holes there you can put a decent nut and bolt through.
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: Pricey on 09 February 2010, 12:57:28
Quote
Quote
Sorry after reading what I wrote it does make me sound like a bit of an idiot...I mean an earthing point by 1 of the rear lights,as this is the area I have used in my Ibiza and Astra.

I know exactly what you mean, and the earthing point by the rear lights ON ANY CAR is just plain dangerous and should not be used. I have a website with lots of pictures of installs such as this where the cars have gone up in smoke !!

If you are keen to learn about how to fit car audio properly, you could do a lot worse than to search for a Haynes manual on In Car Entertainment, as it gives a good head start on how to fit stuff, and certainly how to find and use a suitable earth point in the car.

 :y

Cheers for the heads up...I thought I was doing quite well with my DIY jobs lol. Might see if I can pick up said manual, as I'm on a bit of a budget.
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: Dave DND on 09 February 2010, 13:00:27
Quote
Quote
Quote
Sorry after reading what I wrote it does make me sound like a bit of an idiot...I mean an earthing point by 1 of the rear lights,as this is the area I have used in my Ibiza and Astra.

I know exactly what you mean, and the earthing point by the rear lights ON ANY CAR is just plain dangerous and should not be used. I have a website with lots of pictures of installs such as this where the cars have gone up in smoke !!

If you are keen to learn about how to fit car audio properly, you could do a lot worse than to search for a Haynes manual on In Car Entertainment, as it gives a good head start on how to fit stuff, and certainly how to find and use a suitable earth point in the car.

 :y

Cheers for the heads up...I thought I was doing quite well with my DIY jobs lol. Might see if I can pick up said manual, as I'm on a bit of a budget.

Cheapskate method is to order the manual from your local library !!

Once read and digested, you probably will never read it again

 ;)
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: unlucky mark mv6 on 09 February 2010, 13:03:08
Quote
Quote
Quote
Sorry after reading what I wrote it does make me sound like a bit of an idiot...I mean an earthing point by 1 of the rear lights,as this is the area I have used in my Ibiza and Astra.

I know exactly what you mean, and the earthing point by the rear lights ON ANY CAR is just plain dangerous and should not be used. I have a website with lots of pictures of installs such as this where the cars have gone up in smoke !!

If you are keen to learn about how to fit car audio properly, you could do a lot worse than to search for a Haynes manual on In Car Entertainment, as it gives a good head start on how to fit stuff, and certainly how to find and use a suitable earth point in the car.

 :y

Cheers for the heads up...I thought I was doing quite well with my DIY jobs lol. Might see if I can pick up said manual, as I'm on a bit of a budget.
We all make mistakes mate when learning,they say you have to make em to learn,and very true it is. :y
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: Pricey on 09 February 2010, 14:48:16
Thanks for all your replies!

As regards running a power cable from the battery...is there any grommets that can be used to get the cable into the car or is it going to require drilling, anybody any experience of doing this? Also anybody have any experience of fitting uprated speakers? Cheers
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: tunnie on 09 February 2010, 15:36:16
passenger side, there is a big fat loom that goes into the car near the pollen filter. You can push a decent amp cable through there without any drilling. Pops out passenger footwell.

I'll get some pictures tommorow  :y
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: zirk on 09 February 2010, 15:42:43
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Sorry after reading what I wrote it does make me sound like a bit of an idiot...I mean an earthing point by 1 of the rear lights,as this is the area I have used in my Ibiza and Astra.

I know exactly what you mean, and the earthing point by the rear lights ON ANY CAR is just plain dangerous and should not be used. I have a website with lots of pictures of installs such as this where the cars have gone up in smoke !!

If you are keen to learn about how to fit car audio properly, you could do a lot worse than to search for a Haynes manual on In Car Entertainment, as it gives a good head start on how to fit stuff, and certainly how to find and use a suitable earth point in the car.

 :y

Cheers for the heads up...I thought I was doing quite well with my DIY jobs lol. Might see if I can pick up said manual, as I'm on a bit of a budget.

Cheapskate method is to order the manual from your local library !!

Once read and digested, you probably will never read it again

 ;)

Blimey Dave, your letting all your personal secrets out now!  :)
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: Pricey on 09 February 2010, 15:47:57
Quote
passenger side, there is a big fat loom that goes into the car near the pollen filter. You can push a decent amp cable through there without any drilling. Pops out passenger footwell.

I'll get some pictures tommorow  :y

Good man, cheers  :y
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: tunnie on 10 February 2010, 15:02:25
as promised:

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Omega/Radio/DSC00534.JPG)

(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/803897/Omega/Radio/DSC00535.JPG)
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: davethediver on 10 February 2010, 15:05:49
Is that your's tunnie never figured you for the beefing up the sound kind of guy ;D :y
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: tunnie on 10 February 2010, 15:13:01
Quote
Is that your's tunnie never figured you for the beefing up the sound kind of guy ;D :y

Had an active sub in it for the first year i had it (Vibe CBR10 Active) But after Uni and such, i got bored of it. Its been in the garage for the past 4 years  ;D

Left the 12v feed in case i ever need it for an inverter 
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: Dave DND on 10 February 2010, 15:15:42
Tunnie,

On that second picture, please don`t tell me that you are going through a metal bulkhead without a grommet, and that the cable is not really rubbing against the metal unprotected?

I trust that its an old picture, and has since been sorted out 

 ::) :-X
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: tunnie on 10 February 2010, 15:17:24
Quote
Tunnie,

On that second picture, please don`t tell me that you are going through a metal bulkhead without a grommet, and that the cable is not really rubbing against the metal unprotected?

I trust that its an old picture, and has since been sorted out 

 ::) :-X

Er of course Dave  ::)  :-X
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: Dave DND on 10 February 2010, 15:18:17
If using that grommit, then far better to poke the cable down the middle of the grommet alongside the main wiring loom (can be a bugger/ very tight), and then a bit of clear silicone over it just to stop any water ingress.

 :y
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: Dave DND on 10 February 2010, 15:21:24
Quote
Quote
Tunnie,

On that second picture, please don`t tell me that you are going through a metal bulkhead without a grommet, and that the cable is not really rubbing against the metal unprotected?

I trust that its an old picture, and has since been sorted out 

 ::) :-X

Er of course Dave  ::)  :-X

 ;D ;D

I believe you   ::) :P

Any objections to me hijacking and using that picture on my website, as its a very good photo showing a classic error that people often make

No names or references, of course  :-X
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: Kevin Wood on 10 February 2010, 15:22:08
Quote
If using that grommit, then far better to poke the cable down the middle of the grommet alongside the main wiring loom (can be a bugger/ very tight), and then a bit of clear silicone over it just to stop any water ingress.

 :y

I'm glad you didn't see the inverter install in his Senator. :-X

 ;)

Kevin
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: tunnie on 10 February 2010, 15:23:46
Quote
If using that grommit, then far better to poke the cable down the middle of the grommet alongside the main wiring loom (can be a bugger/ very tight), and then a bit of clear silicone over it just to stop any water ingress.

 :y

Stopped drawing a current on it about 4 years ago, so no need to fix it right  ::)

To be fair the cable does not move, its so tightly rammed in there (ooo err) its not going to rub, past few years never had water get in the front foot well.

But if i was doing it again i would do it right and use sealant as you say and go through the centre of the loom.  :y

Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: tunnie on 10 February 2010, 15:24:12
Quote
Quote
If using that grommit, then far better to poke the cable down the middle of the grommet alongside the main wiring loom (can be a bugger/ very tight), and then a bit of clear silicone over it just to stop any water ingress.

 :y

I'm glad you didn't see the inverter install in his Senator. :-X

 ;)

Kevin

That gaffer tape was well grounded  ::)  :D
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: Kevin Wood on 10 February 2010, 15:26:07
Quote
Stopped drawing a current on it about 4 years ago, so no need to fix it right

Doesn't matter if you're drawing current. It'll do plenty of that itself ifwhen the insulation chafes through.

Kevin
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: tunnie on 10 February 2010, 15:27:21
Quote
Quote
Stopped drawing a current on it about 4 years ago, so no need to fix it right

Doesn't matter if you're drawing current. It'll do plenty of that itself ifwhen the insulation chafes through.

Kevin

I'll take it out then  :y
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: Dave DND on 10 February 2010, 15:28:25
Quote
Quote
Quote
Stopped drawing a current on it about 4 years ago, so no need to fix it right

Doesn't matter if you're drawing current. It'll do plenty of that itself ifwhen the insulation chafes through.

Kevin

I'll take it out then  :y

Remove the fuse from the holder, that would do

 :y
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: tunnie on 10 February 2010, 15:30:25
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Stopped drawing a current on it about 4 years ago, so no need to fix it right

Doesn't matter if you're drawing current. It'll do plenty of that itself ifwhen the insulation chafes through.

Kevin

I'll take it out then  :y

Remove the fuse from the holder, that would do

 :y

Will do, always kept it there in case i needed it  :y
Title: Re: Advice needed Sound System!
Post by: unlucky mark mv6 on 10 February 2010, 16:10:00
Quote
Quote
Is that your's tunnie never figured you for the beefing up the sound kind of guy ;D :y

Had an active sub in it for the first year i had it (Vibe CBR10 Active) But after Uni and such, i got bored of it. Its been in the garage for the past 4 years  ;D

Left the 12v feed in case i ever need it for an inverter 
you want to flog it tunnie ::)