Connect a Car Equalizer
Stereo equalizers balance the sound according to the speakers' surroundings. This is important in an automobile because of all the different surfaces, textures and materials making up the interior. An equalizer reduces or increases sound reverberation, improves bass and treble levels and equals the sound left to right, front to rear. Installing an equalizer is a matter of getting into the dashboard and making connections between the audio system and the speaker wires.
Instructions
Accessing the Audio Console
1. Examine the audio console. In some newer automobiles, the console (radio/CD or tape player unit) is easily removed by pulling forward. If this isn't true for your car, proceed to step 2.
2. Look under dashboard fascia and locate all screw or hex head nuts fastening the fascia to the dash area around the audio console. Remove the necessary section or the entire fascia if necessary.
3. Remove all the nuts. Open the doors and look around the edge for any additional fasteners. Check for additional clips or fasteners behind the fascia. Disengage any if you find them.
4. Remove the fascia components now free of all fasteners
5. Remove all surface screws and fasteners holding the audio console in place. Remove the audio console and be careful of any wires or connections in the back.
Connecting the Equalizer
6. Locate the wire supplying signal to the speakers from the audio console.
7. Disconnect these wires from the audio console. Most radios use screws for this but some may have soldered connections. Use a hot soldering iron to melt the solder and release the wire if necessary.
8. Locate on the dash where the equalizer will be postioned. Perhaps replacing an ash tray or cup holder is an option, or below the dashboard to a supplied bracket will work.
9. Bring the speaker wires from behind the audio console to behind the location for the equalizer.
10. Attach the speaker wires to the equalizer at the audio or signal OUT connections.
Connecting the Equalizer to the Audio Console
11. Use the wires supplied with the equalizer from the manufacturer and connect the audio or signal OUT connection on the audio console to the audio or signal IN connection on the equalizer.
12. Locate the power supply for the audio console.
13. Use the power supply cable contained with the equalizer to plug into the audio console power supply. This may require an adapter included with the equalizer.
14. Mount the bracket for the equalizer according to the manufacturer's directions.
15. Mount the equalizer in the bracket making sure the connecting wires are free of being crimped or crushed.
Reassemble the Dashboard
16. Mount the dash fascia pieces in the proper location.
17.Install all clamps and fasteners in their original position.
18. Check to see if all doors, latches, hatches, moving panels and switches are free to move.
Final Installation Steps
19. Consult the owner's manual for the equalizer. Adding the equalizer to the audio console power supply may require a fuse with greater amperage.
20. Locate the fuse box in your car and replace the appropriate fuse if directed in the equalizer operator's manual.
21. Test the equalizer installation by turning on the audio console and equalizer and listening to all car speakers through the full band of equalized sound.
Tags: audio console, power supply, audio console, audio console power, audio signal, console power, console power supply
