Quick question or advice needed for reallocating power source

[TAshifter88]

So a little bit of background first. My new ride is a pretty sick 2000 Grand Caravan. Hell yes, I look like a creeper. Regardless, I've had a headunit I've been looking at hooking up to it in place of the stock PoS. The speakers are already decent for how much I'm going to be driving it (Infinites).

This is where my problem stems. The original setup had an external amp for the infinite speakers, which was told to power on via the powered antennae wire. The ironic thing is I don't have a powered antennae, but I digress. Because I want to listen to most of my music via ipod through aux connectors, my infinites won't get powered up b/c when I go to AUX-mode, it powers down the power antennae, therefor powering off my speakers.

So naturally, I figured I would just hook the external amp up to the ignition wire, and the radio, AUX, and CD-player all work now //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif. HOWEVER, now when I turn it up to a decent volume w/ a bit of bass, the signal jumps around between all 4 channels frantically, often cutting out for brief moments. I did NOT have this problem w/ the stock rig, and the powered antennae wire that used to power amp IS probably 2 gauge less than the ignition.

Does anyone know an easy way to circumnavigate this issue, or what exactly it is? My only guess is that the ignition line is not giving enough juice to the amplifier for the beats. Should I try replacing it w/ a smaller gauge, or what other method do you recommend?

I really appreciate ANY assistance!

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[Chris Z 10+ year member]

I don't think you need a larger remote wire. The remote wire simply tells the amp when to turn on. However...if you mean your POWER wire for your amp, then that's a totally different subject. What gauge is your current positive wire to your amp?

 

[x1le 10+ year member]

I don't get it.

It's an aftermarket amp right? and you basically just have your remote turn on wire tapped into the ignition?

 

[Bumpin' Goalie 10+ year member]

Remote wire only tells amp when to be on or off. Doesn't have to be a big gauge.

Power wire should obviously be thicker. (8-4 gauge) depending on power. I assume its not too much. Sounds to me that a ground may be suspect. Check where the amp is grounded to. If it is not grounded to the vehicle chassis within ~3 feet or less of the amp; i suggest that.

Best of luck.

 

[cebbeler7 10+ year member]

points for the caravan. Kind of funny you had it wired on the power antenna though haha. that would be a ***** having your stuff shutting down every time the antenna goes off. Check the ground like goalie said earlier. It sounds like the ground is coming loose a little bit and cutting the power but then regaining contact with metal therefore turning your amp on again. Very odd situation I will say lol