I am getting back to working on the audio system for my 2004 350Z. I originally built the system in 2006 including an amplifier rack and custom fiberglass woofer pods while retaining the originals base head unit. Over time I realized that the mdf amplifier rack had problems in that while it tucked everything nicely in the space originally for the higher end audio system’s woofer it was hard to get to such as replacing a fuse. When the head unit died, I decided to address these issues … figured I would have fun seeing what I could come up with..
One of the problems is that I have to re-discover what I did 20 years ago .. memory is a bit hazy so this is going to be a virtual scratch pad. It is raining today so I will use this time to do some note-taking.
From Center Console – I have six RCA cables exiting the center console behind the seats, into the luggage finisher as the amplifier rack hides in the left-side hidden area that was used for the Bose woofer. They are labeled “line in AP1040” on each Red and White RCA pair and the individual plugs with 1,2,3 and 4 and then a black and white RCA pail with “W” on each plug. The 1,2,3 and 4 lettering indicates channels 1 through 4. Logically 1 and 2 should be the front door speakers and the 3 and 4 the rear speakers. I could assume that the white woofer RCA plug is negative and red positive but .. at this point all I can see that I used RCA cable for the + and 1 woofer outputs. I will have to open up the console to trace the wires back to make all of this clear .. Hindsight is a marvelous thing.
RCA cable colors standardize analog audio/video connections: White (or black) is for the left audio channel, and Red is for the right audio channel so 1 should be left front, 3 left rear, 3 left rear and 4 right rear. I think when I pull the old head unit I will label these better and precisely so there isn’t any doubt. Funny .. the pair of woofer cables are redundant since my 40-channel amp outputs channels 3 and 4 to the woofer amp directly so they are not needed.
Cooling Fans – I purchased a 2-Pack 120mm Fan DC 12V. Dimensions – 120mmx120mmx25mm. I mounted these to the underside of the amp rack. It has a 2-pin connector. Rather than running the fans constantly my plan is to use a temperature control module.
Specs on the fans:
- Voltage: 12V DC
- Current: 0.18Amp
- Power: 1.2Watt
- Speed 1500RPM
- Airflow: Noise: 23dBA – 20dBA-30dBA is a whisper, quiet room or soft music.
- Connector: ZH2.54-2Pin Plug. Red (+), Black (-), wire length 11.8 inch.
I will be using two fans so figure 0.36Amp current and 2.4Watt draw. In the photo I have the wire taped down.
Temperature Controller – I selected a HiLetgo W1209 12V DC Digital Temperature Controller device. There is no case but will sit on the amplifier faceplate .. the amplifier rack will set secure behind a grill so that should be fine.
- Temperature range: -50° to 110° C / -58° to 230° F.
- Static current: Less than 35MA
- Attract current: Less than 65MA
- Input and Output voltage: DC 12V
- Output Power: 20A relay
Speaker Wire: I used 14# wire to the Woofers and 16# to everything else
Panel: This is like the third iteration of the panel not counting fixing a couple of “oops” during the laser cutting.
