2020 Ridgeline

[k9wkj]

trying to understand where to grab power in this thing
with the start/stop deal is it safe to grab power off the nice terminal on the battery
and ground from the chassis?
looks to be simple enough to get thru the door harness grommet and right up into the
engine compartment thru the fender
but am a bit leery of all the weirdo electronics
not to mention the 2 other fuse boxes under the hood
I counted over 40 fuses in this rig !!

 

[mmckenna]

Commercial radio manufacturers will instruct to pull your positive power directly off the battery, or in some cases, the starter connection (yes, the engine starter, to get connections away from the acid/corrosion that can happen around the battery).
Ground to the chassis/body.

Here's why:
The radio wants clean power. Only place to get that is directly from the battery. Tapping into existing wiring can be a source of RFI, or overload existing circuits. Only time you'd want to do that was if you were running an ignition sense lead for the radio.

Fuse taps are a bad idea for anything that draws more than an amp or so. Ideally, avoid them all together.

Grounding to the chassis/body will give you a clean path back to the battery, and not bypass the Hall effect sensors that many newer vehicles have as part of their power management systems. It also keeps you from having a long 'antenna like' return path for any noise.

As always, fuse as close as reasonably possible to the positive battery terminal. Keep your wiring away from other noisy vehicle wiring.

 

[mmckenna]

If you'd really like to geek out on this stuff and want to do some light reading, this is one of the better sources of well thought out wiring specifications I've found:

Electrical | Caltrans

State of California

dot.ca.gov

 

[k9wkj]

thanks mmckenna
I will have him use the handy terminal right on the battery clamp
and grab ground from a seat bolt (he is probably mounting the radio body under the drivers seat
neither of us had delt with the newer management systems
and its alot easier to find upfitters info for traditional type vehicles

 

[mmckenna]

thanks mmckenna
I will have him use the handy terminal right on the battery clamp
and grab ground from a seat bolt (he is probably mounting the radio body under the drivers seat
neither of us had delt with the newer management systems
and its alot easier to find upfitters info for traditional type vehicles

Yeah, I hear you. 20 something years ago when my wife and I got married, she had a Honda. Took me a long time to get comfortable working on that car. Not what I was accustomed to.

Using the method I described will get you around all the sensors safely. Biggest issue I see is when people start doing fuse taps or tying into existing wiring. Usually the source of hair pulling type issues.

Seat bolt may be an option, but look around for other points. Not uncommon to find other grounding points inside the cabin.

 

[slowmover]

K0BG

Is an authority on Mobile Installation.
(Drives a Honda Ridgeline).

.