Expert: Cleggsan - 2/14/2011

Question
I have a 2001 VW Jetta with the Monsoon Audio System.  I'm trying to install an after market amp in-line with the factory amp. I bought the converter for the RCA ports but I don't know what to do about the remote wire I have looked all over the Internet and have gotten several conflicting stories... Can you help???

Answer
The remote wire connects to anything that has remote start. Like the amps and even some converters.  You must check the instruction sheet of each device to see where the remote wire is connected. All the remote wire does is send,  from the ignition switch, a 12v signal to the input of the device which, in turn, causes the device, such as the amp, to turn on.   If the device in question does not have remote turn on it means it will be on all the time that it has power. So, if you connect it to the battery directly it means it will discharge the battery whilst the car is not running.

Surely the amp you are installing has remote start; there are three power connections, one for ground, one for 12v power and one for the remote turn-ON.  I don't know about your rca converter if it has remote turn on or not; if not, connect it to a switched power line as they don't draw too much current and should be okey.

You can run the remote from one amp to that next one as you would want them to turn on at the same time, surely...

Still confused?  Let me know.