Bazooka in 2004 M&T

[NSMX-6]

Hi guys,I'm looking to install an amplified Bazooka tube in my 2004 Vibe M&T.Two questions:1) What wire do I use for the remote turn-on for the amp? AFAIK, there is only a 12+ constant (blue/white) and a 12+ ignition/accessory (grey) behind the dash. Keep in mind that I will be keeping the M&T amp for the 6 factory speakers.2) I will be using high-level inputs from the speaker wires. Can I tap these behind the dash, or do my taps have to be AFTER the M&T amp?Thanks,Mark

[papacueball]

1. http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=313722. Probably doesn't matter.

[NSMX-6]

I wired up everything today and it sounds so much better than stock.However, whenever I turn the key on or off, the sub "pops." I tapped one of the black power antenna/amp-on wires for the remote turn-on for the Bazooka amp.Please help! It's quite annoying and I expect not so great for the unit.Thanks,Mark

[papacueball]

Does it pop when you turn the radio on or off?

[NSMX-6]

Both. When I turn it on, it pops twice (BUM, BUM), and when I turn it off, it pops once (a smaller pop).

[NSMX-6]

Some more details of my situation:I used the included Bazooka FAST-9999 harness to wire it up: http://www.bazooka.com/pdf/cur...m.pdfI connected the red wire on the harness to the grey ignition/accessory wire (as per the instructions in the PDF) and the blue/white wire on the harness to one of the black power antenna/amp-on wires (also as per the instructions).The Bazooka pops when I turn my key on (twice) and when I turn my key off (once).

[papacueball]

Have you tried using the other black wire? I don't know if it will make any difference, but it's worth a try. It sounds like the bazooka's amp is turning on just a little too soon. A quick google search turned up other instances of the same problem, but no real solutions. You might try contacting the bazooka people,maybe they know of a solution.

[NSMX-6]

I'll give it a shot! Thanks.Do you think it would make any difference to connect the Bazooka to constant instead of accesory power? (Keeping the black antenna/amp turn-on too, of course.) Maybe that would make the situation worse...

[papacueball]

So, the bazooka is getting its main power from the accessory wire? That could be causing the problem. I would treat it like any other amp, and run the main power wire straight from the battery. Edit: You'll need to find out what the maximum current draw will be and use the appropriate size wire. What is the model # of the bazooka?

[NSMX-6]

Yes, it is. It's a really weird little system. There is no physical way to wire it without using the harness that came with the unit. (There are no terminals on the back of the Bazooka, just the female plug for the included male-end harness.) The wires are all 16 gauge (speaker inputs, ground, power, remote-turn on).However, there is a discrepancy. The main installation manual says to wire the power for the unit directly to the battery (sounds right; like any other amp). But, the page for the included FAST-9999 harness says to wire the power to the ACC/ignition (i.e. switched power) wire behind the dash. I did the latter.It is obviouly a very low-power unit. I think it is rated at something like 100W.EDIT: It's a BTA8100FHC: http://bazooka.com/products/mo...-P494

[papacueball]

16 guage is just barely big enough for 100 watts, considering the length of wire needed to reach the battery. 14 or 12 would be better.If you splice that wire into harness within a few inches of the connector, you should be fine.You might want to run the wire outside the car to the battery to see if the turn on pop goes away, before you make anything permanent .

[NSMX-6]

I got rid of the "pops" by wiring the Bazooka to +12V constant (battery) and 12+V switched (ACC/ignition). The amp is on whenever the key is turned (even if/when the radio is off), but it never pops.

[papacueball]

I'm glad you got it fixed!

[NSMX-6]

Thanks for ALL your help, papacueball!