Help! Ground location for Amp connection

[stclarke]

Hi, I am installing an AMP in my 1980 Coupe, more than likely, under the passenger seat or behind it. While the install looks fairly straight forward, I don't know the best location to connect the ground wire. I have read postings that state to attach it to one of the seat bolts, however, I'm not sure, in a Corvette, if the seat bolts are grounded to the frame. So, the question is, where can I connect the ground wire to ? Any suggestions on that, or alternate location for the AMP would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[crowvet]

Hi, I am installing an AMP in my 1980 Coupe, more than likely, under the passenger seat or behind it. While the install looks fairly straight forward, I don't know the best location to connect the ground wire. I have read postings that state to attach it to one of the seat bolts, however, I'm not sure, in a Corvette, if the seat bolts are grounded to the frame. So, the question is, where can I connect the ground wire to ? Any suggestions on that, or alternate location for the AMP would be appreciated.

Thanks

You could try the seat bolt, if it works cool. If not you could take out the seat bolt that you want to use and replace it with a longer bolt that extends under the car. Then simply use a nut to attach a wire from the stud to a frame component.

 

[LVMYVT76]

Why not connect it to ground side of the battery?

 

[6880 Mike]

Why not connect it to ground side of the battery?

Sounds good. There is also space in front of the battery to mount the amp, proivded the amp is not too big. 80 LG-4 cars and the 81-82s mounted the computers in this space.

Not much room under a seat.

 

[BarryK]

Why not connect it to ground side of the battery?

I agree. it's a C3 and the battery is right there in the back anyway so go straight to the battery. You should be going straight to the battery for the 12v+ anyway so just make the run with two cables - one for power constant and one for ground.
Make sure you use the same gauge cable for ground as you do for power and make sure to fuse the power cable at the battery.

 

[stclarke]

Thanks All !

However, I've been advised to stay away from connecting to the negative terminal of the battery. I followed the negative lead down from the battery, but it goes through the bottom and I can't see where it actually connects with the frame.

Any other thoughts ?? I will still see if I can ground by the Seat Rails and Bolts, but am not sure they are connected to the frame.

 

[crowvet]

Thanks All !

However, I've been advised to stay away from connecting to the negative terminal of the battery. I followed the negative lead down from the battery, but it goes through the bottom and I can't see where it actually connects with the frame.

Any other thoughts ?? I will still see if I can ground by the Seat Rails and Bolts, but am not sure they are connected to the frame.

In my earlier post, I told you how to connect to the seat bolt and provide a ground to the frame. Going to battery should be fine also. It will work fine either way good luck

 

[Art Jett]

The battery on my 77 grounds to the frame almost right under the battery. I ran my amp ground to a hole that I drilled and tapped tight next to the battery ground. Works great.

 

[Evolution1980]

I too have also been advised not to connect directly to the battery, at least the positive. I guess the factory felt the same way and that's why there's the accessory "+" block to the right of the battery. As well, the side-post battery setup in the '80 doesn't allow for many things to be attached directly to the battery, unless you've already modified the battery hookups to accept post-style batteries.

You should be able to see the ground wire by simply going under your car and following it out of the battery box. It's probably covered with years of grime, oil, and dirt. Putting your ground connector on that ground would be your best setup, like Art Jett recommended above.

 

[80vette_ca]

If you look at any competition vehicles they have all the wires running directly to the battery, I've seen 8- 0gauge cables running from the positive and negative terminals on some of these vehicles so there should be no reason why could can't connect to the battery...If you do chose to ground to another location just make sure there is no paint or rust on the ground location as this will affect the ground.

 

[BarryK]

anyone care to tell me who is advising and what their reason's were for NOT connecting directly to the battery for either power or ground??

All I can say is that this should make for a very entertaining explanation. I used to do car audio for a living and besides normal, everyday type systems in cars I designed and helped install some of the top competition systems in the country at the time.

EVERY, and I mean EVERY correct amp install has the power connected directly to the battery with a fuse and most go directly to the battery for ground or to a common "buss" or "gang" ground somewhere on the frame and than that gang ground connection has a lead directly to the battery......... and that's on a regular metal bodied car where ground is nowhere close to a problem issue as it is on a Corvette. On a Corvette you need to be doubly careful on your grounds as there are many times less places to pick up a good ground so directly to the battery is preferable, especially since on a C3 in particular the battery is right there already in the back, and you don't need to make a long cable run including going thru the firewall to get to the battery.