How to properly make a ground!!!!!

[hedron]

Is there a way to test the ground? To make sure that it's operable so you don't have to go back and do it over again when you put everything together.

 

[HardofWhoring]

Is there a way to test the ground? To make sure that it's operable so you don't have to go back and do it over again when you put everything together.

With a multimer you check resistance/Ohms from potential grounding point to batt neg terminal.

Start by battery neg terminal to battery lug (1"away), then check the other end of the battery neg cable. This should give you the best possible ground, and zero, or maybe .1ohms or less. You can check your engine ground and body grounds. If you are going direct to frame, then see what the best frame ground you can find is first. If you are grounding to body, find your grounding straps in the engine bay, and check both sides. Getting a good baseline of all the factory and best grounds first, will give you a better idea of how well yours is going to be.

 

[.........]

I like to sand the area to use as ground then drill a hole and mount a rivet nut. If the sheet metal is super thin you can back it with a washer. To keep the washer from coming off, insert the rivet nut, tape it down, then glue the washer with super glue. Now you can thread the rivet nut onto the rivet tool and done.

 

[97obs]

Can you have too many ground on a vehicle. Multiple locations?

 

[Chris Maloney]

it has come to my attention (from reading various threads on this here forum) that many of the regular members here do not know how to make a proper ground. I there for shall inform the ignorant masses.

This is not going to be a long explanation as it is no at all difficult and for those who struggle with reading comprehension i am sorry there will be no pictures.

What to look for in a good ground

Look for a piece of metal that is apart of the vehicle chassis and not attached to the chassis with bolts or any other methods. For example in the 95-99 Mitsubishi Eclipses there is a little back hump against the back seat that looks like it would be an awesome spot to make a ground and many people and installers :sigh: make this mistake. In actuality this litle piece of metal is bolted to a painted part of the chassis and thus would royally **** as a ground. All in all make sure you are grounding to the unified chassis of the vehicle if not the frame itself. Also you do not need to ground to a factory bolt. While they are convenient if you cannot find one you can simply pick a location (preferably away for rear decks and the like) and attach a self tapping screw to it. Once your grounding location has been selected if you want to be sure you have selected good spot take a meter(DMM) and run a quick wire to the negative post on your battery (doesnt need to be pretty as it will be removed when you're done with it) and measure the resistance. If you can pick up any resistance with a commercially avaiblable meter you have selected a poor ground so try again.

How to prepare your well chosen ground location

This is simple, simply scrape away the paint at your chosen spot. This can be done using a variety of methods. The easiest method ive found is o take a drill and a wire brush attachment and have it until you can almost see yourself. Another method is to take a flat head screwdriver or a utility knife and have at scraping away. This method is not nearly as aesthetically attractive but works nonetheless. The final method is some very coarse grit sandpaper. I personally have never used this method but i cannot imagine it not working for any particular reason

How to prepare you ground wire

This also is very simple. USE A RING TERMINAL. If you do not have any at the time go to walmart or something and get some. They are not going to cost very much so there is no reason not to use one.

How to attach you ground

Also extremely simple. If you chosen ground location is a factory bolt (hopefully you made sure your ring terminal fits around the bolt) simply remove the bolt ,place it through your ring terminal and reattach it to the vehicle. Now if not using a factory bolt then simply inspect both sides of your chosen location. Make sure there are no gas takes or line running under the location you have chosen. Take the shortest available self tapping screw (usually 3/4") and screw it into the vehicle.

In closing this throught process is not only for amplifier installation. I use his thought process everyday when dealing with alarms and anything else i might need to find to ground.

the end

if i neglected anything someone please add it

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Although I have no issues with self tapping screws. I shave my paint away throw some grease on the metal and use a nutsert with a star washer. It's technically " the right way" to do it. But I won't talk smack if someone uses a few self tappers.

 

[SteveJustSteve]

Solid write-up. Only thing I’d add keep that ground lead as short as possible, same gauge as your power wire, and you’ll avoid a lot of headaches.