Chimera Radio Amp - Where to get an earth ?

[dharney]

Has anyone fitted the Mod-Wise radio amplifier to a Chimera. If so, where did you get an earth for the amplifier unit ? I am thinking of using the petrol tank strap but am not sure if it is earthed ? The suggestion is to use the downpipe from the filler cap but there dosen't appear to be much space available here ?

Suggestions welcome.

[RCA]

I have several amps in my boot and have run the earth directly to the battery, fairly easy, the other alternative as it does not really need a thick wire for the earth is to run it from the earth on your head unit when you put it in.
Hope this helps

[philshort]

Theres a bunch of holes at the base of the petrol tank, you could drop a wire down behind the tank, out of the vents, and fix to a suitable chassis member under the car. Less mess than going under the carpets.

If you're anywhere near Rugby you're welcome to use the pit in my garage, once you are under the car you'll see how easy if is.

[Twerlie]

The earth lead needs to be as SHORT as poss, other wise you can get interferance etc... so i earthed mine to the petrol tank, as recomended by TVR Team Central!
Mine sounds the DOGS!

[dharney]

Where and how did you attach to the petrol tank ? There doesn't appear to be enough room for a jubilee clip at downpipe from the filler.

[sipow]

Just drill a hole through the tank near the bottom and bolt the earth to the tank here with a self tapper.

Sorry not helping much am I.

I personnally would run it straight to the battery as its not a great distance really and you can be sure off an excellent earth.

Simon

[Twerlie]

quote:

I personnally would run it straight to the battery as its not a great distance really and you can be sure off an excellent earth.

Simon

Anything longer than a foot is gonna start getting interferance! So unless your battery is in the boot, i would earth it to the bolts behind the petrol tank. You can find them by undoing the jubalie clip on the left of the tank, and the 2 bolts at the top! It is quite difficult to get it forward but its the best place to earth it!


>> Edited by Twerlie on Saturday 18th May 17:24

[GreenV8S]

quote:

Anything longer than a foot is gonna start getting interferance! So unless your battery is in the boot, i would earth it to the bolts behind the petrol tank.

I'm probably being thick here, but what difference does it make? The chassis is just a lump of metal at the end of the day. Won't you get earth loop issues with the chassis just as you would with an earth cable?

[david beer]

The supplied clip will go round the neck of the petrol tank,obviously the metal part not the rubber.The amp will work without grounding the the earth as it gets its earth from the radio via the aerial cable, but using the tank improves interference/reception.

[sipow]

Dave

Could please explain why it improves it!
And why being that much shorter would make a difference,(except the obvious,less likely to pick up a fault or interferance from anything else)but straight to the earth on the battery.

Cheers

Simon

[Paul V]

Often going straight to the battery can cause alternator noise, I’d recommend a short as possible earth as has been said. Also a decent gauge wire is needed, as the earth is most important. I’ve never fitted to a chimp but applies to all cars. A decent speaker cable should also be used.

[david beer]

I think we have wires crossed here!!! Iam talking of an amplified aerial installed in the boot. The unit will work with out an earth, but the reception is improved and interference is reduced if it has an earth plain. The largest in a fibreglass car is the fuel tank. Of course a metal roof with a centraly mounted aerial is ideal!