How to Install a Car Graphic Equalizer
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Installing a car graphic equalizer will improve the tonal quality of your car stereo by leaps and bounds. The installation process isn't really that difficult either, just get ready to do a little work. It should take about 1.5 hours to do if you have everything you need to do it.
List of Tools and Supplies That You Will Need
- Set of Screwdrivers
- Wire Cutters
- Wire Strippers
- Test Light
- Electric Tape
- Cords
The list above should provide everything that you need to get the job done the right way.
Step 1: Locate an Area in Your Car Where there is Enough Room to Mount the Equalizer
You will first need to locate an area in your car to mount the car graphic equalizer. This area needs to be able to fit the car graphic equalizer, and at the same time be suiting for aesthetics. It needs to be a location where you can fit the car graphic equalizer and the mounting hardware.
You should have easy access for wiring the equalizer to the stereo head unit. In some cars, this could provide a bit of a challenge for you. Though, if you get this right, the whole install will go a lot smoother. Most people install in near the car dash board.
Step 2: Take your new Equalizer out of its Packaging and Inventory it
Now you need to remove the car graphic equalizer from its packaging, and begin to inventory it. Most car graphic equalizers will come with some paperwork that tells you what is supposed to be in the package.
Go through the manual very closely. Read the instructions and if you are unable to understand it, then it’s time to call a professional.
Step 3: Run the Power and the Ground Leads
Now you will need your test light. You should hook your car graphic equalizer to a switched power wire in your fuse panel. A switched power output is one that only puts out power when the key is in the 'on' position.
Take your test light and hook the alligator clip to a reliable metal ground, and then you will use the probe to find a power output. This will only come on when the key is in the 'on' position, and hook your main power wire to that connection. After you have done that, you will need to hook up the ground wire, and a metal area to hook the ground to. If the area is not metal, the equalizer won't make a ground, and therefore will not work.
Step 4: Hook up the RCA Jacks
This is the last step in the process. You will need to locate the RCA jacks on the back of the stereo head unit and run them to your car graphic equalizer according to the instructions in the install manual that came with your car graphic equalizer. Turn on the equalizer and the stereo, and you are ready to go.
