Fuel tank mounting bolt for Sound System Amplifier Ground?

[gr_diver]

Hi friends!

Are there any reasons that advise against using the fuel tank's mounting bolts for grounds?

I am installing an amplifier in the trunk, and the bolt pointed by the red arrow in the picture is very convenient to use for ground! Should I avoid it?

I don't think there is a problem using it, since the fuel sender is self-grounded on the tank by it's mounting bolts, but I thought I should ask for a second (or third!) opinion.

Thank you very much.

Antonis

[2 Fast 4 U]

I don't know how "heavy" your amplifier is but you will have to run a 12 VDC power line to it from your battery, so pull a second wire along with it for your ground, than you'll be sure to have a decent grounding for your amplifier. [That is what I would do]

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by gr_diver Hi friends! Are there any reasons that advise against using the fuel tank's mounting bolts for grounds? I am installing an amplifier in the trunk, and the bolt pointed by the red arrow in the picture is very convenient to use for ground! Should I avoid it? I don't think there is a problem using it, since the fuel sender is self-grounded on the tank by it's mounting bolts, but I thought I should ask for a second (or third!) opinion. Thank you very much. Antonis

Let's see now, your fuel level sender uses the tank as 'ground' . . . no problem. ANYWHERE on the chassis is suitable . . . it's ALL 'ground'!

Just make sure that your ground wire is heavy enough for the amplifier amps.

[gr_diver]

It will be a "smallish" 2 channel amplifier, nominal power consumption 19A for bridged operation, 1x200W RMS. It will be used bridged to drive my new subwoofer. So I will use 10mm^2 cross-section cabling and it will be fine!

I found a 12" Clarion subwoofer at a bargain price, and built a sealed 50lt enclosure from a big piece of 16mm thick MDF I had (a jigsaw and a drill can do miracles!). Turned out pretty good, and sounds even better! Not carpeted yet though. Anyway, this is already so I will stop here!

I have installed amplifiers before, but never had to make ground connections near fuel tanks, because they were mainly in FWD cars, and had the tank at the underbody...

Cheers!

[2 Fast 4 U]

Originally Posted by gr_diver ......... nominal power consumption 19A for bridged operation, 1x200W RMS. It will be used bridged to drive my new subwoofer. So I will use 10mm^2 cross-section cabling and it will be fine!......

Aren't you over doing it with a 10 mm² cable?? we use that size [in electrical panel building with 400 VAC] for 63 A up to 125 A, you can use 2.5 mm² safely up to 25 A, and if you find that a little bit small use 4 mm² that can go up to 32 A and 6 mm² up to 63 A

My advice: don't use the nominal power consumption rating for your wiring, but the maximal power consumption rating [!!!!!] that way you'll always be on the safe side. [just my € 0.02 worth]

[gr_diver]

The amp (Magnat Rock 4000) has a max consumption of 30A. And I will use 10mm^2 cabling to be on the safe side as you mention... And because you never know what the future will bring along. Maybe sometime it will be replaced with a 4-channel amp, it would be a pity to have to re-wire from scratch...

[2 Fast 4 U]

Originally Posted by gr_diver The amp (Magnat Rock 4000) has a max consumption of 30A. And I will use 10mm^2 cabling to be on the safe side as you mention... And because you never know what the future will bring along. Maybe sometime it will be replaced with a 4-channel amp, it would be a pity to have to re-wire from scratch...

That's true

[gr_diver]

Installation finished!

Funny things happen. Today I received a call from the shop I had ordered the amplifier from, and he told me that, because of summer vacations, the local Magnat dealer will be closed until 27/8, so he couldn't get my amplifier.

So I had to get something else, because after the 20th of August I will be studying for the University, and no time will available for such things. A Blaupunkt 4-channel amp got it's place in the trunk, and everything is perfect!

I also had to make a new trunk-fuel tank separator. The stock one was made from compressed carton, and it wouldn't take the weight of the amplifier. The material I used is a "sandwich" of two 0.75mm sheets of metal with a 4mm stiffening layer between them. With a bit of adhesive, and a piece of black vinyl I had it looks stock!

The subwoofer enclosure will be carpeted sometime next week (I'm out of money!!!!!!).