Second Head Unit

[Ozone Blue 10+ year member]

So, I'm currently putting together an install for my '07 Mazda 3. I'm getting ready to install my new head unit, when I stumbled across a question that I can't really figure out a good answer to.

I bought a dash kit that installs my new head unit on the top of my dash (see http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/69-Mazdaspeed3-DVD-DASH-INSTALL-MOUNT-KIT-MPS-3-ONE-DIN_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c4c749fc1QQitemZ190261272513QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories). For aesthetic and informational purposes (clock, temp, HVAC info, etc.) I'd like to leave the old stereo & LCD screen not only in place, but also still partially wired in. Now, I figure wiring the speaker outs and antenna to the new head unit exclusively should be easy. I'm concerned about the power. Can I split the main power and remote wires to both the old stereo and the new head unit, or will that end up underpowering both of them? The last thing I want to do is fry one or another, but I'm hoping to try and avoid running a new power and remote line just for my new head unit.

Any and all wiring advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

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[Supergumby5000 5,000+ posts]

Worst case scenario, you blow the fuse for the headunit.

If you flow the fuse, you cant run both on the same power. I think it'll be fine though

 

[bigaudiofanati2 10+ year member]

I use to run the fallowing off one wire with no problems.

Head unit

CD changer

Sirius receiver

Ipod power wires

Not one problem and had it all running for about a year and a half before I took all of it out "crash"

You should be fine.

 

[Ozone Blue 10+ year member]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. I won't worry about it too much then. Hopefully that'll help the rest of my install go off without a hitch.