Can i use the 12v outlet to power a powered subwoofer?

[jrm]

if the outlet IS 12v then the wire gauge to it is large enough to provide constant 12v and is controlled by the ignition.

I know everyone runs a direct wire to their battery but i dont like the idea of sub always being ON and the power wire always being "live". It just sounds like a accident waiting to happen.

If the 12v outlet is a no go are there any other alternative power sources with a constant 12v source?

TIA

 

[Singtoe]

It will not supply enough amps for a sub amplifier.

 

[snivilous]

if the outlet IS 12v then the wire gauge to it is large enough to provide constant 12v and is controlled by the ignition.

I know everyone runs a direct wire to their battery but i dont like the idea of sub always being ON and the power wire always being "live". It just sounds like a accident waiting to happen.

If the 12v outlet is a no go are there any other alternative power sources with a constant 12v source?

TIA

The amp has a direct hot wire to the battery, but the amp isn't always on, there is a remote wire that turns the amp on when it receives power.

You can't power the amp from the outlet, but you can use your remote wire (that turns the amp on) with the outlet if that's your question. If you have an aftermarket head unit there is usually a dedicated remote wire.

 

[USMC0351]

if the outlet IS 12v then the wire gauge to it is large enough to provide constant 12v and is controlled by the ignition.

I know everyone runs a direct wire to their battery but i dont like the idea of sub always being ON and the power wire always being "live". It just sounds like a accident waiting to happen.

If the 12v outlet is a no go are there any other alternative power sources with a constant 12v source?

TIA

Run a remote wire, it can come from almost anywhere as it is only used for a signal to turn on the amp. You can also run a toggle switch with it. As far as power, depending on the wattage you are running will dictate your power wire size, just google a reference chart. Be sure to run a properly rated fuse in the power wire circuit, close to the battery usually, add a second close to the amp if you want redundancy. Use appropriate grommets, electrical tape or wire sleeves anywhere that it may pinch (especially remote wire, its easy to get cut but the power wire must be protected) and make 100% all connections are secure (the strength of a connection whether soldered or a terminal should be equivalent to the strength of the wire) and I use silicone over the connection between the ground wire and chassis. Also, don't run your RCA cables and power wire beside each other (run them on different sides of the truck basically) because the power wire can induce current into the RCA's which you'll hear as static or distortion in your sub.

 

[Brian757]

+1 [MENTION=92884]snivilous[/MENTION].

Its elementary electrical wiring. Hook up the remote wire from amplifer to remote switch wire on the back of the head unit.
The amplifier will then cut on when the radio is on. Just because the 12V positive and negatives are wired to the amplifier does not mean the circuit is closed inside. The gauge of wiring is also small for an amplifier.

If your running an amp with some magnitude of power, you will want ~0-2 gauge wiring. You mentioned a "sub," so I am assuming you will be installing a mono block. The 12V outlet will have ~14-16 gauge wiring. You will want to run a larger fuse in-line as well.

 

[jrm]

Same goes for a

powered sub that includes an amp?

 

[Brian757]

powered sub that includes an amp?

Ughh.. The subwoofer is powered by the amplifier.
The amplifier would get signal from the radio to close the power circuit(turn on), it turns on.
The subwoofer goes, *BOOM*, *BOOM*, *BOOM*, while your smiling like a fat kid staring at cake.