Classic/Rookie mistakes

[rock4016]

It would be easier to list "not stupid" stuff but here goes.

Now this happened from 1993 to 1994 so I didn't have access to the internet at that time.

I knew nothing about installs and had a "friend" help install my first system:

1. We ran the power cable through the door which worked fine until the door pinched it a few months later (at least it was fused!)

2. We attached the main power cable to the alternator instead of the battery and my punch30 would make my punch 5 1/4 speakers screech every time I turned the system on.

3. For bass I had 2 Bazooka 10" in a plywood box. The port was just a 2" hole cut in the box, so yeah it boomed but some music just didn't sound right

4. I bought a used cheap sanyo 50W + 50W amp for the subs, and during the install we had to make some changes, so we left the stereo power on and I shorted one of the channels on my new used amp, frying that channel. I ended up getting a Majestic 150W amp from JC Whitney that actually worked fine for a while.

5. After routing the power wire through the firewall I didn't use enough tape for my grommet and shorted it again in another few months.

6. Did a poor job routing RCA cables and used the trunk lid for a grounding point so I got used to engine whine as part of the music.

7. Didn't do a good enough job securing the fuse holder near the battery and so it moved around eventually shorting on the body of the car. Didn't blow any fuses but did make nice dark circles on the wire between the battery and the fuse holder.

8. Didn't have a good tight ground so at one point it sparked and started burning a hole in the carpet in the trunk.

9. Driving my screwdriver through a sub surround or speaker cone.

10. Building a sub box out of 5/8 particle board.

11. Had a nice Sony mobile ES cd player and I decided to run the rca cables under a metal bracket under the passenger seat. I ended up shorting the rca cables while it was playing and got smoke to come out of it. Didn't work after that.

I'm sure I forgot some other F ups.

Well at least I never drilled into a gas tank or break line!

[TylerParrish]

Let's see some other ones...secured ground with a metal tapping screw and my ground shorted and burnt my ground wire up about 6 inches, my first system was loud enough for my liking, so the bass boost was all the way up and the gain about 3/4. My sub's box back then was a sealed boxed originally for 2 15's that my friend and i cut in half so we could each have a box for our 15's, I let a shop hook my amp up, i bridged @ 2 ohms (blew both the sub and amp very fast), and sooo many other things that don't come to my mind right now, but that's what it takes to learn.

[Chris Hammer]

Late about 1am after working 12hr shift I was hooking up my extra battery and amp..just got em that day. I cut all the wires to fit the battery mounted faceing forward...accidentally mounted it facing back and went to wire it up...positive to negative negative to postivie. BIG sparks and a good shock on myself before the inline fuse blew...replaced it and couldnt figure out for the life of me why..............spent 10min staring at the battery gave up went to bed...woke up and immediatly realised I pulled a full retard.

[JamieHoward]

Made an amp rack directly over the gas tank in my hawt escort back in the day. Smelled funny like fuel for months.... Had a punch 250.1 which was a hell of an amp back in the day. Hooked up ground first and then power to chassis of amp by mistake - no more 250.1. Had a couple of subs/ mids that rocked the ole' screwdriver tear. I'm sure I have done plenty of other dumb shit, those are the ones that stand out... OH yeah first deck install had never heard of a wiring harness. Took like 3 days and a good use of trial and error tapping into factory lines...

[Cardboardcat15]

Building a sealed wall for 4 15's. Lol.

But seriously, forgetting to put heat shrink on one of the already crimped wires whilst installing a headunit.

[vrollin]

Oh another one, not my doing, but while I was doing some work experience as an installer we had a car come in with the owner looking to get his mates work fixed up. There was literally 3-4 m of excess cable coiled up on the back seat, power and ground together, with random cuts and joins made, insulated with MASKING TAPE!?!? Many lols were had that day....