Subwoofer help

[ghosstt]

So, my neighbor had an only subwoofer hes not using anymore because he got a new one. I asked him if I could have it, and pay him for it if I get it to work in my truck, he said sure, blah blah blah.

So from what I'm understanding about it, it already has a built in amplifier. It's got this layour on the side:
(Screw Head Inputs)
[Fuse 25A] |12v|Remote|Ground| [Phase Switch] (Freqencys) (Gain) [RCA Input] [RCA Output] [High Level Input]

It's some no name brand called EROS, and I'm assuming the model is SA1, but I can't find any info on it. I'm not going to be using the High Level input, because I'm assuming you need a custom deck for it, which I don't have. I'm running a ~01 Explorer CD Deck w/ built in CD Changer in an 04 Sport Trac.

So for the 12v, I need to run it to the battery right? Do I really need a thick cable? Or will decent speaker cable work?

wtf is the Remote Input for?

Ground- I know what thats for.

Now for the RCA Inputs. Can I just run speaker wire from my speakers, and put on some RCA ends? Does it matter which speakers?(Front or back/Left or Right) Is it all the same stuff?

Thanks, I appreciate all help given.

[XCVG]

Now for the RCA Inputs. Can I just run speaker wire from my speakers, and put on some RCA ends? Does it matter which speakers?(Front or back/Left or Right) Is it all the same stuff?

NO! You WILL BLOW the inputs if you do that. I think thats what the high level inputs are for, what does the terminals look like?

[MegatronUK]

It's some no name brand called EROS, and I'm assuming the model is SA1, but I can't find any info on it. I'm not going to be using the High Level input, because I'm assuming you need a custom deck for it, which I don't have. I'm running a ~01 Explorer CD Deck w/ built in CD Changer in an 04 Sport Trac.

You need a subwoofer out, or a normal line level output which you will then have to send through a crossover first to get rid of the higher frequencies (unless it's got a crossover in).

So for the 12v, I need to run it to the battery right? Do I really need a thick cable? Or will decent speaker cable work?

Use proper power cable, not speaker cable. It doesn't have to be stupidly thick.

wtf is the Remote Input for?

It turns the sub and it's amp on/off when the head unit is turned on and off.

Now for the RCA Inputs. Can I just run speaker wire from my speakers, and put on some RCA ends? Does it matter which speakers?(Front or back/Left or Right) Is it all the same stuff?

You should really use the line level inputs if you can. You can get very, very cheap high level to line converters on ebay, or build one yourself.

[ghosstt]

But I'm running a stock deck, so there is no line out. That's the problem. Isn't that what the RCA inputs are for? I have an RCA to Line adapter, but I have no line on my stereo. The High level Input lookslike A rectange with 5 little squares in it.

[MegatronUK]

No, RCA plugs are virtually always line-level, plugging your speaker cables in to them will make likely overload the input to the amp.

If your head unit doesn't have anything other than speaker wires coming out of it then you'll have to give up one of your speakers, use the wires going to it, put them into a crossover to remove the high frequencies and then either a line level converter to your RCA plugs, or figure out the wiring for the high level input.

You'll need to disable all treble/bass/loudness adjustment on your head unit (unless you can selectively disable it per speaker channel; unlikely!) and it will most likely sound like ass.

Most decent head units have a dedicated subwoofer out channel and high pass filters and adjustable crossover levels so that the sub gets a decent signal.

Personally, I think if you stick with a stock head unit you're better off either getting some reasonable uprated speakers or saving up to get a decent aftermarket head unit - a sub is going to really overpower standard speakers.

[Dark-Aries]

What you might want to consider doing, is getting an old audio amp for home theater, then just use it to mix both LR signals together, and use the speaker outs on the amp to give sound to your sub, and you could, use it to power your other speakers, but you most liekly have a car amp so that probably won't work that great.

[jperryss]

Since you've got a factory deck you probably do not have RCA outputs on it.

If the sub/amp has two pairs of high-level inputs (two + and two -) you can simply tap into your rear speaker leads (don't cut them, just tap into them) and wire that to the sub. That will sum the left+right signals into the sub amp. If not, just pick a side.

I think it's already been answered, but:
-12v needs to come from the battery. It's probably a low watt amp, so I'd go with 8G wire. Don't forget to put a fuse within 12" of the battery.
-Remote just turns the amp on and off (so it doesn't stay on all the time). If you're lucky there's a remote wire built into the stock headunit (may need to test, sometimes it's there for a power antenna). If not, you can tap into the fusebox on something that's normally switched (only goes on when the key is on) like the wipers. That way the amp will stay off and only turn on when the key is on.

[G3]

If it's a Ford mach/premium system , save yourself some trouble and have an installer set up your line level adapters at the very least. Rest of the wiring for the amp is simple. be sure to use decent power cable as this knocks down resistance when your amp needs more power.