Kenwood Mini-Sub

I can't think of any places in the hatch area for ACC signal. There are quite a few in the front, including the outlets.

On JBL amp, ACC is grey wire, pin 12 on S15

 

Nice little project! I too have been very pleased with my sub additions to the base radio (non-jbl). They really make a nice difference in sound quality. I built two custom boxes for two small 6" panasonic subs, and put the amp in the rear cargo 'hold'. Everything out of sight outa mind, but the sound is much better. Plus I wired in a "bass" knob to control the level going to the sub amp. I put it in the blank panel next to the dimmer on the dash. I should post pics someday...hmmm...Love my Prius!

 

finman,

How diyou hook up the subs to the base radio?

I just bought the Kenwood and want to install to my Prius with base radio.

Thanks

 

I grabbed the rear speaker wires as they come out of the rear door jambs. I pulled the rear door panels to access the speakers, to determine the color of the speaker wires (as well as positive and negative), then followed them thru the door jamb boot, down the B pillar, and tagged them in the rear door sill area.
These signals I ran thru a low-level adapter (speaker level in, RCA out). I then ran the rca cables thru a simple volume control (to control the level of signal going to the amp, thus controlling bass), then on to the amp in the back.

Power comes directly off the + terminal of the 12 volt battery in the back, ground is connected to the 10 mm bolt that is attached right next to the - battery post.

I triggered the amp thru a relay from the gray ACC wire at the back of the radio. There isn't a nice turn-on lead from the basic radio (the power antenna lead does not output anything), so ACC is best you can do.

It wasn't horribly complex, pretty much like adding anything aftermarket to a OEM stock system. If ya need more info on the little volume knob thing, let me know. I really like the ability to control bass for different CDs, etc. It is an optional step.

Cheers!

 

Thanks....

 

I was under the impression that the rear battery should not be used to power any audio and that power should come from the front of the car. I though that this battery was used only for starting the car IF the hybrid battery system was depleted.

Is using a direct connection to this rear battery safe or will it cause problems?

 

No, it is used like any other car battery, EXCEPT to turn over the ICE. MG1 using the HV battery does that.

The inverter does have a DC/DC converter changing 206V from the HV battery to 13.8/14V to the 12V electrical system. It can only do this in READY mode. In ACC/Ig-On mode, you are running of the Aux battery exclusively.

Connecting to any high current 12V line is fine, including the battery itself. Try to tap after the 150A fusable link, but if you have your own fuse, that shouldn't be a problem. You should have one in either case anyway.

 

There are actually TWO rear batteries, none up front under the hood. One is a 12 volt lead-acid (small, like 400 amps? someone help me here), sized like a motorcycle battery, used to boot the car and the hybrid system. The other is the main or hybrid or traction or big battery, whatever you like to call it, sized like an old horizontal desktop computer, made of NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride). NOT the place to connect aftermarket goodies! It propels the car by powering the electric motor. DanMan32 has all the other info for ya...

 

I have installed this sub too am I am very pleased with it. As I have the "basic" audio system, I have not the JBL external amplifier and plenty room left under the passager seat. Power is coming from the front power outlet, and the bolt located at the back of the seat (just remove a plastic cover). For the input source I have hooked the speakers from the pilars with strap on. In the pictures you can see the ipod adapter using the same power.

Alexandre.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dgstan\";p=\"69817)</div>

I think the KSC-WA62RC has been replaced by the KSC-SW1



It has larger woofer size (6.5" instead of 5.25"), more powerful amp (75w instead of 2x 30w), and size is comparable, so this one should also fit in the under hatch area.

Hm ... very tempting.

More info here: Crutchfield Kenwood KSC-SW1

 

Yes, there is an updated model. I ordered one last week the first day I saw them posted at www.audioallies.com. I got it for $166. The next day they upped the price to $199. Most places are charging well above that. It arrived on Friday, now I just need to hook it up.

I checked it under the seat and it might be a bit tight, so I think I'll go with the under hatch floor installation. Thanks to others for all the great info.

 

Crutchfield just told me that the SW1 is not a direct replacement for the WA62RC. It has slightly different measurements. It is 5/8" wider, 5/8" less for the height, and 13/16" deeper. Please post here once you have it installed. I will hold off getting one until I hear from you. Thanks.

 

I just had the WA62RC installed this past weekend under the passenger seat and it fit perfectly. I don't know if there would have been enough room for any more length. Any more width would have either covered over the air flow vents pointed at the rear passenger seats or the device would be sticking out from under the seat into the passenger compartment.

The bass produced by the WA62RC is more than enough for my needs. The standard radio now has a more realistic open sound, it's finally a stereo that I can live with.

I can get the subwoofer to thump the entire car if I want to and maybe more power would make the thump bigger and cleaner but I don't run it that high so my bottom line review is that the WA62RC gave me just want I needed and wanted and fit neatly under the passenger seat with no wires showing and no new holes made in the Prius interior.

I would be interested in hearing how the newer subwoofer works.

 

I didn't do the installation but I know there was some sort of plug adapter included.

I'm not quite sure how the installer secured it. I know that metal parts were included for a number of different methods of securing the subwoofer to the car.

 

Yes, I tried to fit the new SW1 under the front seats and it's just a hair too long. That extra 5/8" of width is too much. I'm going for the under hatch installation where there is plenty of room. I'm thinking about paying to get it done. If so, I'll do that Friday.

 

I had the installation done at Best Buy in Secaucus, NJ. I supplied the subwoofer and they just supplied labor - the labor cost $87 for a great job.