Radio/Stereo Power Source????

[81SPIDERMATT]

looking to finally getting sound system for my 81 spider..... research tells me that i may need a constant power source as well as a switched source.. (guessing that means when the key is on).. thanks in advance... Matt

dont mind running wire to where ever i need to/from

[81SPIDERMATT]

also would not mind seeing what others have done

[spider2081]

In the area of the center console where the radio mounts there is a connector that would be used for a panel mounted power antenna switch. You do not need this switch. The connector has 6 cavities. 2 cavities have 2 red/black wires 1 has a dark blue/red and 1 has a light blue/red. The red black wires should be "hot all the time" from fuse 9. The other end of dark blue/red and light blue/red can be found on the driver side in the trunk for a power antenna.

For hot in "start and run" there should be an unused connector in the area of the radio location in center console. This connector has 8 cavities. The wire colors in the connector are Brown un-fused power for the radio. Gray/black and violet/black left hand speaker wires. Gray and violet are left hand speaker wires.

Hope this helps

[WBubble]

I installed a new Alpine deck last week in my 79. I decided to run the constant power directly from the battery to reduce interference. I ran it through the bulkhead with the green power cable, under the back "seat", carpet and under the center console to the radio. Worked great. There's a 2 part plate that holds the rubber seal against the power cable where it enters the car. If you remove it, you'll have an easy time feeding wire through to the trunk and battery.

[GeorgeT]

Plenty of sources for "hot at all times" but I tapped into the "key in ignition" warning circuit for the switched power. When you put the key in the ignition the radio powers up and you can listen without starting the car but when you remove the key the power is turned off (preventing battery drain if you forget, no not if but when, to turn off the radio. I believe the tap must be before the warning buzzer.

[TX82FIAT]

Not sure how strong and consistant the voltage is coming from your regular power source under the dash as described by the folks above. It stinks to install a stereo head unit to find out you do not have enough power to hear the stereo when crusing down the highway with the top down. I have found once you identify your constant power for the clock/programing and key power for the power source of the head unit. It is better to run RCA cable and typically a green power on wire from the head unit to an Amp located where you would like. Then run the speaker cables to where you decide to locate the speakers. I don't like the amp under the seat or various other locations. The power feed directly from the battery is a good plan, make sure you have a nice fuse in that line.