ozzy

As the title says, where's the best place to ground things in a MY99 boot. Can I use existing bolts anywhere?

Stefan

chiark

I think I used the bolt for seatbelts. I think.

you need to sand paint away for a clean connection.

ozzy

Cheers Nick, sounds like a good idea. I'll have a look tonight.

Thanks,
Stefan

Rich Tee

you may want to use the bolts from the boot lock, nice big bolt takes 4 gauge cable

Rich

ozzy

Thanks Rich.

How short should I keep the ground cable? The onne supplied with the wiring kit is only about 18" long.

Stefan

chiark

"As short as possible" is the common recommendation as your chassis should flow current better than the cable.

TBMeech

I used to have mine up on the boot lock but got more interferance that way, I am sure it was because the cable was a fair ol distance from the Amp, I've now used the rear seat hook bolt (MY99 STI-V) different to UK cars.

ozzy

OK, I've used the centre bolt for the rear seat (I've an RB5, so shares same chassis as STI's).

How can I check that it's a good electrical ground? Is there a way I can use my Multimeter to check?

Stefan

CharlieWhiskey

Unless you have a good one don't bother.

You should find little resistance to earth <0.5 Ohms

if you are running a lot of power it is better to run an earth back to the battery to avoid electrolitic corrosion on the shell.

ozzy

Nah, not a lot of power at all, just need to ground a 2-channel amp and an MP3 player.

Just wanted to know how to check that the ground cable is actually grounded through the chassis properly.

Stefan

chiark

I think you'll have to trust it.

If you're worried, it may be worth looking at uprating the cable between the chassis and the battery negative terminal too...

ozzy

Nick, I'm not worried about it, just unsure of the consquences if I ain't got it right. That is, if I haven't removed enough paint to make a good electrical contact with the chassis, what is likely to happen?

Just thought there might be a way of proving the install is sound (so too speak)

First time I've installed my own ICE equipment, so just covering all my bases.

Stefan

P.S. If I have two bits of equipment needing ground, can I use a distribution block to connect them both to the same common ground on the chassis

i.e. wire from seat bolt -> distribution block
wire from distribution block -> amp
wire from distribution block -> MP3 player


[Edited by ozzy - 8/30/2002 11:45:45 AM]

TBMeech

Ozzy,

I wouldnt use a distribution block for Grounding amps etc, I've always run individual ground wires to the same point on the chassis, I could be wrong but that's the way I've been told to do it and had not adverse effect.

Wherever you decide to ground the amps etc, just take the paint off using glass / sand paper, takes about 5-10 mins to do it, once you have done this then attatch the cables and bingo!

ozzy

Thanks, I'll run seperate cables then.

Stefan

chiark

I use a distribution block: easier to get a good connection on those and have one mahuuusive chucky ground connection than trying to get 4 good ground connections on one chassis tap. YMMV

TBMeech

you DO use a distibution block?

oooo I now may have to change all of mine! bugger, do you find it better than using seperate earthing wires then?

sorry ozzy if i'm hijacking your thread but its good to know these things

chiark

It's only through simplicity! I couldn't physically get a good connection to the chassis for three separate thick cables, so took the easy way out and bought a ground distro block.

I doubt it'll make much difference: as long as it's a good connection that can flow the necessary current it really doesn't matter much.

ozzy

No need to apologise, hijack away It's a forum after all, so the more comments/discussions, the better.

I'm on here to learn too

Must admit, the distribution block would look tidier so if it's much of a muchness, then I might go for that.

Stefan

TBMeech

aaah sod it, My ground cables have been routed neatly thru my amp rack and onto my grounding point so probably won't re-route mine tbh be nice tho to have two dist blocks on show tho