Hi All,

I have this some what strange issue. I'm installing a Kenwood KSC SW-1 Powered Sub in my 2008 Clubman S with HIFI. I can't seem to get it power-up by tapping into rear cig lighter. The only way I get it to power up, is to go directly off the battery. It will only work if I do both the lead and the remote turn on to the battery. I tried taping into the remote turn on on the factory amp, didn't work. I also tried off of the cig lighter, didn't work. Off the battery bingo. Suggestions on what to do. It should be working off one of these other power sources. Many thanks!

 

First off .... I would say the wiring for the rear lighter is WAY TO SMALL to carry the current of a powered sub woofer.

Second .... MANY of the circuits on modern vehicles are wired HOT and they are turned ON/OFF through the GROUND circuit using a triggered RELAY. This is easily tested with a test light.

AMP > IMO should be wired to to an accessory power distribution block http://www.wiringproducts.com/contents/en-us/d234.html directly to the battery and again triggered through a relay to GROUND keyed by the "remote turn on factory AMP" circuit.

Your AMP should have a spec for the minimum wiring size versus length for powering it.

 

Speedwing,

Thanks for the reply. Let me clarify my issue. I have the amp main hooked to the battery. The remote power that should cut the amp on and off with the stereo / ignition seems to only work if I have it hooked to the battery line. I need to find a source that is strong enough to cut the amp on and off with the stereo or ignition. I tried hooking this to the remote power line on the amp in the right rear and also tried taping into the rear lighter since it is only on with the ignition. Any ideas?

 

Have you tried a multimeter? Just measure the voltage on the positive leg of the rear power outlet to verify that it is at least 12v with the engine on. You didn't mention in your post if you were trying to get it to work with just the key in the ignition, or the engine actually on... I don't think that power outlet will be on without the engine.