Wiring harness for adding amplifier/subwoofer
#1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Wiring harness for adding amplifier/subwoofer
If you're looking for a quick and easy way to add some bass to your stock system, this might be the solution!
I've just completed a prototype wiring harness that allows the addition of an amplifier/subwoofer combination in the trunk of the W211 sedan. This wiring harness connects the car in several places, using all original-equipment connectors, and has all the connections required to fit an amplifier in. Because all original equipment connectors are used, no modifications to the car are made AT ALL, and the harness can be removed easily with no indication that anything was plugged into the car. Installation requires removal of a few liner panels in the trunk and in the rear seat area, and should be easily managed by anyone with minor car electrical skills. Using this harness is as easy as installing a stereo in most cars (and easier than most Mercedes). The original subwoofer is passed through so you can leave the original subwoofer connected, or disconnect it. As far as I know, it connects to the HK subwoofer. Not sure if you don't have HK sound, or if you don't have a subwoofer at all.
It connects to these places:
1) subwoofer connectors, pass through
2) amplifier remote turn on, pass through
3) prefuse box
4) grounding point
The other end is bare wire and connects to your amplifier as:
1) constant power
2) remote power
3) speaker inputs
Of course you will have to wire your amp to your speaker box, and it is recommended to disconnect your sound system microphone if you have HK sound. It already includes the fuse, and plugs in like a factory wiring harness (nothing out of the ordinary attached to your battery or fuse box).
Most amplifiers will have high level inputs that can be used. This harness is suitable for amplifiers drawing up to 35 amps or so, which most 350-500 watt amps use. One Sony I checked draws 48 amps, so it is not suitable. The power/ground wire are rated at around 55-60 amps conservative, and the fuse is at 40 amps, so the 35 amp draw should be fine.
I expect 10 of these harnesses in within a week so anyone who would like one, let me know. The price is around $200 shipped. You can add something like an Infinity Basslink for a small amount of extra bass, or something like an Audiobahn single loaded box and amplifier for under $400 for a bit more bass. If you need a lot more kick, one of the members here has a JL 500/1 amplifier using a 40 amp fuse, so that's another solution.
I'll have some pictures after I fit it to my car. Right now I only have pictures of the bare wiring harness which isn't very exciting.
Inevitable questions:
Why does it cost so much? Well, the dollar is weak now, there area lot of genuine Mercedes parts in a wiring harness like this, and those parts aren't cheap. Hey, wire isn't either.
Can I install it myself? Only you can judge that. An instruction sheet is included indicating where things should be connected. All the connectors pretty much only fit in one place.
Will it work with amplifier X and speaker Y? Dunno. It should. But that's for you to figure out. It seems most powered sub boxes will work, and if that's the case, most everything else will work as long as it has an adjustable high level input and draws under 35 amps (or 40 if you are adventurous).
I don't have HK sound. Will it work? I don't know... I only have cars with the HK system to test with. The connectors are the same on the subwoofer though. Why don't you just give it a try?
-s-
I've just completed a prototype wiring harness that allows the addition of an amplifier/subwoofer combination in the trunk of the W211 sedan. This wiring harness connects the car in several places, using all original-equipment connectors, and has all the connections required to fit an amplifier in. Because all original equipment connectors are used, no modifications to the car are made AT ALL, and the harness can be removed easily with no indication that anything was plugged into the car. Installation requires removal of a few liner panels in the trunk and in the rear seat area, and should be easily managed by anyone with minor car electrical skills. Using this harness is as easy as installing a stereo in most cars (and easier than most Mercedes). The original subwoofer is passed through so you can leave the original subwoofer connected, or disconnect it. As far as I know, it connects to the HK subwoofer. Not sure if you don't have HK sound, or if you don't have a subwoofer at all.
It connects to these places:
1) subwoofer connectors, pass through
2) amplifier remote turn on, pass through
3) prefuse box
4) grounding point
The other end is bare wire and connects to your amplifier as:
1) constant power
2) remote power
3) speaker inputs
Of course you will have to wire your amp to your speaker box, and it is recommended to disconnect your sound system microphone if you have HK sound. It already includes the fuse, and plugs in like a factory wiring harness (nothing out of the ordinary attached to your battery or fuse box).
Most amplifiers will have high level inputs that can be used. This harness is suitable for amplifiers drawing up to 35 amps or so, which most 350-500 watt amps use. One Sony I checked draws 48 amps, so it is not suitable. The power/ground wire are rated at around 55-60 amps conservative, and the fuse is at 40 amps, so the 35 amp draw should be fine.
I expect 10 of these harnesses in within a week so anyone who would like one, let me know. The price is around $200 shipped. You can add something like an Infinity Basslink for a small amount of extra bass, or something like an Audiobahn single loaded box and amplifier for under $400 for a bit more bass. If you need a lot more kick, one of the members here has a JL 500/1 amplifier using a 40 amp fuse, so that's another solution.
I'll have some pictures after I fit it to my car. Right now I only have pictures of the bare wiring harness which isn't very exciting.
Inevitable questions:
Why does it cost so much? Well, the dollar is weak now, there area lot of genuine Mercedes parts in a wiring harness like this, and those parts aren't cheap. Hey, wire isn't either.
Can I install it myself? Only you can judge that. An instruction sheet is included indicating where things should be connected. All the connectors pretty much only fit in one place.
Will it work with amplifier X and speaker Y? Dunno. It should. But that's for you to figure out. It seems most powered sub boxes will work, and if that's the case, most everything else will work as long as it has an adjustable high level input and draws under 35 amps (or 40 if you are adventurous).
I don't have HK sound. Will it work? I don't know... I only have cars with the HK system to test with. The connectors are the same on the subwoofer though. Why don't you just give it a try?
-s-
#3
but if you want to add L7 to your car then you have change all speakers since L7 gateway needs 2 ohm speakers. If the impedance of speakers does not match the amp outputs then amp will burn out after some time.
have fun
have fun
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by a2gtinut
but if you want to add L7 to your car then you have change all speakers since L7 gateway needs 2 ohm speakers. If the impedance of speakers does not match the amp outputs then amp will burn out after some time.
have fun
have fun
But still not sure how we got on to this point.
-s-
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by SAguirre
So . . . When are the pictures coming?
Steve
Steve
-s-
Trending Topics
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
Originally Posted by Kev04C320
JL Audio has a product called CLEANSWEEP that would probably meet your needs.
#12
Almost a Member!
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
mercedes E220cdi W211
I have the w211 c220cdi wiht very basic stereo (audio 20)and would love to upgrade to a HK system. but im very afraid to rip my car apart for the installation. So im going to put in a active sub only. Can i draw a parallel line from my rear door speaker to go to the sub? and power the sub from the main battery line in the trunk?
also im told that the best active sub is from Rockford but its now out of production, does anyone know where to get it? pls help/ thanks
also im told that the best active sub is from Rockford but its now out of production, does anyone know where to get it? pls help/ thanks