Speaker install electrical question

[dropper]

I need some electrical advice.
I was thinking of installing speakers and a car amplifier in my 1973 Starcraft swinger. The idea is to have a 3.5 jack coming of of the amp so that I could use it for multiple devices. Such as Ipod, dvd, cd, etc.. My question is how do I safely wire this up?

[BirdMan]

Dropper, there are many things to consider when taking on a project like this from the mfg of the amp (most have different cable harnesses), how to power this amp (batteries, generator, solar, ...), power draw for each device you will be using, ...just to mention a few.

I would guess you will be using an amp that runs on 12V, but the Ipod will be probably be around 3V.  Ensuring you don't short out something would be a big concern of mine.  Shorting out the amp is one thing.  Shorting out your battery, heater fan, water pump, ... could be a much bigger problem.

My suggestion is you go down and talk to an RV service center, an car audio install center, or even a horse/utility trailer sales & service center.  You might even talk to some boat sales & service centers.  All of these types of companies work with 12V car audio & video all day long and have a lot of experience and are on top of the newest technologies.  I mention boats as any amps/stereo/speaker mounts in a boat have to be really durable to handle all the pounding on the water.  Another reason for talking to several of these kinds of service places is most of them would be glad to help you do it yourself and sell you all the parts you might need.  

Most car amps and stereo's have plugs on the back of them to plug in a wire harness.  Over the years I have used several different custom car audio service places to make me a custom harness for all the things you are talking about.  All I had to do is mount the amp/stereo and run the extension cables to the harness, which just plugs into the back of the stereo or amp.

It's pretty easy to make it all work in your driveway or garage, it's another thing to make it durable so the travel and the set-up/tear down does not get you into problems.

[paul_b30]

The easiest thing to do is to install a plate with two RCA's. Most all amplifiers have RCA inputs. (low level inputs) Connect these to the plate and that's it. Then when you want to use your ipod or dvd player etc. you just use an RCA to 1/4 or 1/8 adapter and plug it in to your device. You just have to make sure that the volume is turned down before plugging and unplugging devices so you don't make loud popping sounds that may damage your speakers or amp.

Paul.

I need some electrical advice.
I was thinking of installing speakers and a car amplifier in my 1973 Starcraft swinger. The idea is to have a 3.5 jack coming of of the amp so that I could use it for multiple devices. Such as Ipod, dvd, cd, etc.. My question is how do I safely wire this up?

[rgfalcon]

Been here done this.

Mounted a small car amp inside and snagged a 12v power source for the amp and added an inline fuse for power and a toggle switch for the turn on lead so I can turn the amp on/off when I want. (all available at your local radio shack, etc.).

Ran speaker wire to a pair of dual bannana jacks (for easy connection and avoids shorting the lines if I forget to turn off the amp first) that I can either tuck outside under the canvas, or use inside.

Attach a pair of outdoor speakers. Most are about 6 ohms and will run fine from a car amp (my amps about 30 watts, and plenty without annoying the neighbors).

Ran a 1/8" headphone jack to RCA cable into the amp (standard iPod type cable)

Plug in the iPod, turn on the switch, adjust volume with iPod. I get music inside or out, weather proof speakers, and easy to control all from the iPod.