The process of installing a car radio in a car is a job that you can do with your own hands. At the same time, the installation operation itself does not present any particular difficulties. An ordinary car owner, at least a little familiar with the basics of electrical engineering, will connect the car radio without any problems. We will consider further how to correctly connect the radio in the car and what the sequence of actions should be. But you need to remember that an incorrectly installed and connected car radio can not only have a bad sound, but also cause a fire.
Formats
Depending on the brand of car, they also select the appropriate radio format. European companies produce cars with single-block or single-speaker radios. Japanese and Korean manufacturers, as well as car brands from the United States are guided by the manufacture of two-twin radios. In Russia, a lot of cars from Japan and Korea.
This means that two-twin radios have now become much more popular. Many motorists have fallen in love with such systems because of the wider body, which allows the use of additional multimedia features.
ISO Connectors
The process of connecting a car radio of various types and manufacturers is not much different. A special container without a multimedia system is mounted in its regular socket. Next, the container is fixed with metal petals around the perimeter of the container.
In modern car models for installation of the car radio there are special connectors of the ISO standard. The whole connection process is as follows - you just need to insert the block from the car radio into the corresponding connector on the car.
As for older models, then in many domestic cars there is no such connector at all. To install the car radio in this case, you will have to purchase a connector and connect it yourself using twists. Wires on connectors of this type are usually color-coded and labeled.
Colors and functions in ISO connectors
There are two types of plugs for this standard. So, brown represents the conclusions for connecting to the speakers in the car.
A black plug is required for power and additional options. The pinout of the connectors is usually indicated in the instructions for the specific radio.
After connecting these plugs, you can guarantee that the radio will then work as the manufacturer intended. At the same time, it is important to connect the plugs not as you want, but as accepted by the standard. The connector has separate outputs for each of the options that are available in one or another multimedia. The whole point of connecting the radio is to properly connect the plugs, which will then be installed in the device.
Power connection
Power is usually in most models via three wires. It is yellow, red and black.
The yellow cord is used to supply main power. The power amplifier built into the device is powered from this wire. Also, this cord is used to save the settings made in the radio. This wire is connected via a fuse to the car battery. It is desirable that the length of the wire from the battery to the fuse for connecting the power of the car radio does not reach 30 centimeters.
Red is used to control the start of the radio from the car ignition. On most vehicles, the ignition switch has an ACC position for activating various accessory devices. When the driver turns the key to this position, power will be supplied to the car radio, to the heater of the passenger compartment and to the cigarette lighter. At the same time, no voltage is supplied to the ignition system.
The black wire is connected to the negative terminal of the battery. However, this is rarely done. Due to the fact that the radio has low power, you can connect the black wire to the contact on the car body. It is first necessary to carefully clean the contacts on the car body from oxides and contaminants. Experts also recommend the use of grease for electrical contacts, which in the future will protect them from possible oxidation.
Connecting to speakers
To connect the speakers to the radio, wires are marked FL, FR, RL and RR. In the process of connecting the car radio, be sure to observe the polarity of the wires. In case of non-compliance, the sound will be poor. This is because the speakers will function in antiphase.
Some models of radio tape recorders have conclusions on the speakers, which are duplicated by connectors like “tulip”. They are best used if the speakers in the car have the same connectors.
To connect the speakers to the radio, it is better to use special speaker cables. Often manufacturers of car radios complete their products with them. Do not connect any of the contacts that are designed to connect speakers to the mass of the car. This may damage the radio.
Wires for additional features
Now it remains to connect the wires responsible for additional options and functions. So, on most models, a white cord is used to control the antenna. It plays the role of energizing the internal antenna of the active type. Also, a signal may be supplied via this wire to start an external automatic antenna.
The cord marked ILL is responsible for the operation of the backlight of the car radio. It should be connected to the positive position light wire. The Mute wire is used to control the mute from the mobile communications complex. Sound will be muted if this pin is connected to a mass wire.
Most DVD players have a parking brake sensor. For its operation in the radio there is a wire marked Parking Line. When you connect a video, you can watch it only if the car is not standing on the parking brake.
Isolation requirement
Wires for all types of car radio connections must be in a good insulating layer. They should also have a cross section that corresponds to their power. All wires must be properly routed around the cabin. No need to lay the cords of the radio near power wires. It is necessary to prevent spins. Extra length for the wires of the radio is completely useless. Through the cabin, wires are pulled strictly closed.
Features of the installation of radio tape recorder "Pioneer"
On new cars purchased at car dealerships, connecting the Pioneer car radio will not be difficult. Cars come to the salons from the manufacturer with the audio preparation already done. All necessary wires have already been drawn as needed and are ready to connect the connector to the mounting clip.
If the car is without any audio preparation, then it will be necessary to independently connect all the cords. Here is an example of connecting a Pioneer car radio bypassing the ignition switch. In this case, you do not need to disassemble it, and installation and connection are available to everyone.
Advantages and disadvantages of bypassing the lock
This connection method has several advantages. So, you do not need to disassemble the ignition switch. You can also turn on the radio without a key in the lock. You can turn on the music and are not afraid that someone wants to drive a car. Well and one more advantage - ease of connection.
Among the shortcomings - there is a risk of discharging the battery, forgetting about the included car radio.
How to connect?
First buy a button, which include the phase. Then, two contacts are acquired to the button. Two cords are connected as follows - one is connected to +12 V on the battery, and the second is connected to the red wire on the radio. Positive and negative contact must be found on the cigarette lighter. The wires needed to connect the speakers are found using a tester and connected, observing the polarity.
The black cord is connected to the negative terminal on the battery or to the car body. Yellow - to the positive terminal of the battery. Red is connected to the positive contact through the ignition switch. It will turn on the radio. Also can be connected via a button.
Blue and white wires are connected to the antenna amplifier. All remaining wires are connected to the speakers.
Radio JVC
This manufacturer also cares about the buyers of its products. The radio tape recorders are completed with instructions with a diagram. There is no problem connecting a JVC car radio.
If the audio preparation is not done in the car, then it is connected according to a similar scheme, which was described above. All wire colors are similar and perform the same functions.
Radio and rear view camera
The first step is to install the camera. The device is most often mounted on a bumper above the license plate panel, in its frame or in the backlight. On the rear window (inside the cabin), you should not put the camera. Power to the device comes from the reversing light. This is an important condition. Such cameras can only work for one hour. This is logical - the main function of the camera is not the same as in the DVR. She needs to monitor the parking process.
Installation
At the first stage, the camera eye is installed. Some cars already have seats for them. If it is not, then you have to do it yourself. To do this, drill a corresponding hole with a drill. When the peephole takes its place, it is glued with sealant or glue.
Then pull the wires from the camera into the trunk. And then the rear view camera is connected to the car radio. The negative wire is connected to the mass. Positive power from the cable in the reversing light. One end of the yellow cord is connected to the camera.
Connecting the camera to the radio
Then they pull the video cable through the entire cabin and fix it with electrical tape. It is important that the wire is not pinched. Often, the length of the wire is enough. After that, the cable is connected to the car radio. The principle of connecting the car camera is the same for most devices. The “tulip” connector must be inserted into the connector on the VideoIN radio.