Okay audiophiles, I am building a fairing that is only going to have an amp with no head unit. I will be using it for an iPod.

The wiring diagram for the amp shows a orange wire running to the head unit. If I understand correctly, this orange wire will turn the amp on or off along with the head unit.

My question is...when not using a head unit, what do you do with this wire?

Will the amp be powered up using only the hot and negative wires running to the battery?

Thanks, Dan

 

I thought blue wire was for amp remote and orange was for dimmer...at least on automotive radios...

If it is the "remote" wire, it has to be turned off and on to basically turn the amp on. Maybe a rocker/toggle switch...

 

This is a very simple mini amp.

The power harness includes only:

Red - Hot
Black - Neg
Orange - Remote

How would you wire up a switch? Its a single wire.

 

You will have to power the remote wire with the hot wire to get it to turn on with the key. Usually that goes to the remote wire (if it has one) or the power antenna wire on the head unit. It powers a relay in the amp to turn it on.

 

You could also power a switch then run the orange wire to the other side of the switch if you want to be able to turn the amp off when the key is on. I would power the switch from the key so you don't leave the amp on by accident.

 

I would power a switch from the acc/ign side and then to the amp. Those amps get hot and if you are not using it, it should be turned off...IMO.

Either way, it is up to you!

 

So to be clear, I would just tie the orange wire in with the red "hot" wire?

This is going on a Road King so I intent to wire the power into the "Accessory" switch that has a plug under the seat.

 

A simple phone call to the manufacturer of the amp should answer your question. You should have a contact number in the paperwork you got, then there would be no guessing. If the wire is supposed to be grounded and you put power to it you could fry your new amp. Hope this helps.

 

Of course its eBay cheepo amp. The diagram just shows it running to the head unit. Of course I'm at work and the amp/info is at home.

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

You can do this, but the amp would be on as long as the acc/ign is in the on position. You might get buzzing and popping in the speakers while riding without the iPod running...from brake light, turn signals, etc. But, it can be wired that way.