BestCarAudio.com, Author at Auto Acoustics

Car Audio System Setup

It may seem as if they should be similar processes, but installing a new source unit, amplifiers and speakers in a car is unlike installing most home audio systems. It is not as simple as plugging things in and hoping they work. Proper integration of your new electronics into modern vehicles and their wiring is getting more and more complicated as complex factory sound systems become more involved. One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is the need to configure the equipment you have selected. Your installer will include this setup time in the cost to install your system. What does system setup and configuration involve? Read on to find out.

Signal-level Adjustments

When it comes to adding an amplifier to your vehicle, the most significant adjustment your installer will make is to adjust the amplifier’s sensitivity or gain control. Amplifiers have these controls so they can be compatible with a variety of different source units with different maximum output voltages.

Amplifiers are relatively simple devices in concept. They take an audio signal from your source unit and increase its voltage so it can drive a speaker. A 100 watt amplifier has to be able to increase a 1 volt signal more than a 4 volt signal to reach the 20 volts required to produce 100 watts into a 4 ohm speaker. The gain or sensitivity control lets us adjust for almost any source unit voltage.

Why Sensitivity Adjustments are Important

If the sensitivity of the amplifier is set too low, you will not be able to get the full power of your amplifier. If it is set too high, then you can drive the amplifier into distortion quite quickly. Too much “gain” can also add noise to the system in the form of hiss. A little extra is OK to allow quiet recordings to be played loudly, but too much is a surefire sign that whoever set up the system did not fully understand gain structure.

System Setup Tools

Different shops use different techniques to set gains on amplifiers. Some use an oscilloscope along with a set of test tones. Others use distortion detection devices like the SMD DD-1 or DD-1+. Finally, some installers are quite adept at setting up systems by ear, but that comes with years and years of experience.

As long as the system plays loudly without significant noise or distortion, the settings can be considered correct. If the system runs out of power at half-volume, then it needs some more adjustments.

Crossover Adjustments

There are two main advantages of adding a subwoofer to an audio system. A subwoofer provides more bass output than a typical set of door speakers could ever hope to produce. The secondary benefit is to relieve the small speakers of their requirement to try to produce bass. This reduction in bass reduces the distance the speaker cones have to move and directly reduces the potential for distortion. Midrange frequencies can be reproduced with improved clarity and at higher levels.

Tying this back to system tuning, how we set the crossovers built into your amplifier is crucial to ensuring that the output of your system blends perfectly between the midrange speakers and the subwoofer. If the crossover points overlap, there can be too much midbass, and the system will sound boomy or “honky.” If the crossover points underlap, the system probably won’t have enough midbass and will sound very dry and flat; the subwoofer can also sound “separated” from the system, reducing the coherence and realism of your music.

Speaker Polarity Adjustments

Because each vehicle is different, sometimes the direction a speaker faces requires that we wire it in reverse polarity for the output to combine properly from an acoustical standpoint. This requirement is very common with subwoofers, since they are often pointed in the opposite direction from the smaller interior speakers. Properly trained and equipped installers know how to measure the frequency response of a system and correct for that. In most cases, an audio analyzer is the best choice for setting up a system. These can be stand-alone units from companies like AudioControl and NTI or software-based solutions that work with a laptop, netbook or tablet.

Left-to-right speaker polarity, and the polarity between midrange drivers and tweeters, depends on placement and crossover slopes. These regions deserve analysis before a car leaves the install bay.

Leave It to the Experts

A properly tuned sound system will play louder, last longer and be much more enjoyable to listen to. As you can see from even from this overview, the tools and training required to maximize the performance of even a simple mobile sound system can be expensive and complicated. The staff at your local mobile enhancement retailer should be familiar with these processes and employ them on each installation they perform. Confirming this is part of your process in selecting a retailer that is qualified to work on your vehicle.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

It’s Smart to Purchase Your Audio Gear From the Shop Installing It

In the “old days” if you wanted to buy something, you went to a store. Now, with the increasing popularity of online shopping, mobile electronics enthusiasts have a seemingly unlimited number of options where they buy the audio gear they want. In this article, we will discuss some of the benefits of purchasing your equipment from the same place that will be installing it.

Choosing the Right Solution

If you have a damaged speaker, subwoofer or amplifier, and are looking for a replacement, then the goal for your shopping excursion is quite clear. If you have a more generic objective, such as “making my factory stereo sound better,” then the expertise of the staff at the store you choose can provide an amazing wealth of information. They can help you determine the correct upgrade path to follow.

A great retailer will go to your car with you and listen to your existing sound system before they make an upgrade suggestion. Your feedback about what you like about your sound system, and what you want to improve, combined with what they hear, will help govern where your budget should be dispersed.

Many people think that upgrading a factory radio will provide better performance. When compared to the offerings in late-model vehicles, that is not often the case. New source units may improve connectivity, especially for smartphones, but most factory radios have Bluetooth, can play MP3 and WMA files, and a lot include backup cameras.

Seek out the experience of a professional to help determine the best upgrade path.

Picking the Right Audio Gear

Let’s say that you are in the market for a set of component speakers for your car. There are, quite literally, hundreds of options available. In fact, there are some brands that have more than a dozen different 6.5-inch component sets spread across their different series and diverse price ranges. How do you choose the right one for your application?

The best way to choose a speaker is to audition it. Ideally, you should listen to them in a vehicle similar to yours, but listening to a display board is a good solution as well. Bringing along your favorite music is highly recommended. You can compare different speaker sets at different prices quickly and experience the benefits and drawbacks of each. We will reinforce: Listen to the speakers and ignore the brand names, colors and specifications. All that matters is you choose the best-sounding speakers for your budget.

Before you buy anything, audition it.

Product Installation

Equipment manufacturers are all unique. Each has their own set of eccentricities that makes them different than other brands. When it comes to wiring, adjustments, and so forth, a shop that sells a particular brand will be familiar with how those products work. Familiarity and experience can save time and headaches during an installation. If you bring them a radio or an amplifier that they have never seen before, they will need to take the time to figure out how to use the product before they can install it. Modern source units vary a great deal. Pairing a Bluetooth device and internal signal processing options can be quite confusing for a first-time user. You can expect your installation to take 10-15 minutes longer with an unknown brand- time that will be added to your invoice.

Sometimes, the products chosen for your vehicle may not fit. Speaker sizes may change from year to year, or between different trim levels. Radio and antenna adapter harnesses will often be different for different option packages. Many radio or amplifier installations require that an authorized retailer configure an integration module for your specific year, make, model, and trim level of vehicle for everything to work properly. If you have purchased products from somewhere other than where the installation is being performed, then you will need to get it replaced. This process will take time. If you purchased your equipment from the shop doing the installation, they could swap it out for the right size or application for your vehicle with no hassle at all.

In the unlikely event that something is wrong with the product being installed, a shop that stocks the equipment you purchased can simply pull another unit out of their inventory and finish the installation. In most cases, and unfortunate “DOA” product goes completely unnoticed by the client. If you purchased something from another shop, or even worse, online, then the installation needs to stop. The product will need to be returned to wherever it was purchased. Then repaired or replaced. Finally another appointment needs to be made to complete the installation. If the vehicle had to be put back together between these appointments, you would incur additional cost. Depending on where you purchased the product, it could take weeks to get a new one.

Buying from the shop that is performing the installation can save time and money.

Warranty Coverage

Most of the premium car audio equipment sold in North America is covered by a detailed manufacturer’s warranty against manufacturing defects. Some brands offer much longer warranty periods if their products are purchased from, and installed by an authorized dealer. Over-the-counter purchases can be covered for as little as 90 days, while some brands offer two- and three-year warranties with professional installation.

When it comes to buying online, be sure that you are dealing with an authorized dealer for that brand. If the price seems too good to be true, it likely is. Many online stores or eBay sellers buy products from retailers that went out of business. The manufacturer’s warranty does not cover these products. Another concern is knock-off or clone equipment. Several popular brands that have had their products copied. These clones may look similar to the original, but they provide significantly worse performance and are unreliable.

Protect your investment by buying from an authorized dealer, and have them install it.

After Sales Support

Once you have purchased a product and it is installed, most retailers will spend some time with you to explain how it works. When it comes to modern multimedia source units, this is incredibly valuable. Using different features and functions, especially navigation systems takes some time to understand. If you have a question a few weeks or months after the sale, you can drop it and ask for some help. More often than not, the answer is quick and simple. The sales staff at your mobile enhancement retailer can show you how to do what you want on one of their display units, or maybe even go out to your car with you.

Reputable mobile enhancement retailers provide exceptional knowledge and support.

Spend Your Money Wisely

The lure of a good deal from an online sale, a deal at a pawn shop, or a used purchased from Craigslist is always a gamble. Will the product will work? Will it fit and be reliable? We all have to work hard for our money. Spending money wisely and getting the best long-term value for our investment is only common sense. Work with your local mobile enhancement retailer to choose the right product for your application. Then have it installed in a way that will maximize its performance and reliability.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Is Darker Window Tint Better?

In 1966, 3M developed the first window tinting solution to reflect the heat energy of the sun away and help keep the interior of your vehicle cool. Dozens of companies now manufacture window tint films and each has several different series of films with varied performance offerings. In the last few years, many companies have begun to offer window films that provide exceptional UV and IR energy reflection while allowing visible light to pass into the vehicle. Read on for a closer look at why darker window tint isn’t necessary to improve the comfort of your car, truck or motorhome.

Where Does the Heat Come from?

Most people think of the sun as a light source, but it is also responsible for a broad spectrum of electromagnetic energy. The majority of the energy that reaches the earth is visible light. There is also ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) energy.

UV energy causes sunburns and the coloring and dyes in materials to fade. IR energy is at the opposite end of the solar energy spectrum from UV energy. Infrared energy extends from the top of the visible light spectrum at 430 terahertz to beyond 300 gigahertz. Slightly more than half of the energy that reaches the Earth’s surface is infrared and is responsible for heating our planet and, subsequently, the interiors of our vehicles.

The heat energy produced by the sun is about 1,000 watts per square meter (equal to 10.76 sq. ft.) on the Earth’s surface in clear conditions. Luckily, our atmosphere blocks more than 70% of the total solar ultraviolet energy from reaching the surface. If it did not our lives would be much less comfortable.

Let’s Talk about Film Darkness

Visible light transmission, glare reduction, shade or darkness – whatever term you see quoted, they refer to how much visible light will pass through a film. A higher number represents the transmission of more light – 100% would be an entirely transparent film and 0% would represent a coating of black paint.

While it seems logical to want a dark film to keep the light and heat energy out of our vehicles, window films block light transfer in both directions. A dark film can make it harder to see around you at night. Choosing the best film for your application requires balancing how dark you want, local laws and, of course, your safety.

How Clear Window Films Work

Constructed of many layers, each with different properties, modern clear films are designed to reduce the transmission of infrared energy into your vehicle. It is hard to directly quantify the amount of heat energy that is blocked, because visible light is also responsible for heating. What we do know is that clear solar control films block significantly more heat energy for a given shade than conventional dyed, carbon or metallic films.

Is Darker Window Tint Necessary?

Within a particular series of window films from a manufacturer, a darker film offers more Total Solar Energy Rejection (TSER). Let’s look at the Black film series from Autobahn. Their Black 50 49% visible light transmission (VLT) film provides 30% TSER. Stepping up to the Black 30 film, rated for 31% VLT, solar energy rejection is rated at 36%. Their darkest film, called Black 05, offers 5% VLT and 43% total solar energy rejection. As you can see, darker films block more solar energy within the series.

To contrast this example, let’s look at the Ceramic Series from Huper Optik. Their Klar 85 film allows 85% of visible light to pass into your vehicle, but provides an incredible 32% TSER. You are right in thinking that it offers the same net performance as the Black 50. If we look at Ceramic 50, which is rated for 50% VLT, the TSER is an impressive 50%. Yep, that outperforms the Black 05. At the top of the Ceramic range is the Ceramic 05. This film has a 6% VLT rating and provides 75% TSER. That is more than 1.7 more energy rejection than Black 05.

To directly answer the question, darker films within a series block more energy. When comparing different brands of films or different series, the materials and construction used to manufacture a film determine its performance.

Comparing Specifications

Trying to determine the best film for your vehicle can be tricky. Film manufacturers, just like any other industry, like to manipulate specifications and terminology to produce figures that look impressive. When it comes to blocking thermal energy, the reflected or block infrared energy specifications are often generic or specified in a narrow band of IR frequencies. These inconsistencies make apples-to-apples comparison difficult. However, you can be confident that within a manufacturer’s range of products, unless explicitly specified, performance differences between shades and series will all be provided using consistent measurement techniques.

Install Comfort with an IR Blocking Window Film

As a general approach, if keeping the interior of your vehicle comfortable is your primary concern, then look for a ceramic or clear film solution. These products are designed to help make your vehicle more comfortable and ease the load on its air conditioning system. As a by-product of their premium status, ceramic and clear films often carry a lifetime warranty against fading, discoloration (turning purple), bubbling, peeling or cracking. You may invest a little more money upfront, but you can be confident that the film will offer protection and comfort for many years.

For more information about premium window films and having some installed on your vehicle, contact your local mobile enhancement retailer.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Custom Installations – Past and Present

Custom car audio installations have changed a great deal over the years. More often than not, custom installations from years ago often looked like ‘bolted-on’ additions to a vehicle. Modern systems blend seamlessly with your interior. Advances in construction techniques allow your installer to create complex multi-dimensional shapes that look like they came from the vehicle assembly line. Read on as we contrast the materials and designs of the past with what is currently available.

Source Units

If you look at a custom installation more than about five years old, the trademark was an aftermarket source unit in the dash. Working backward chronologically, we saw Double-DIN navigation systems, flip-up multimedia receivers, detachable face CD receivers and pull-out cassette decks with CD changers. The quality and features of factory radios just could not match what the aftermarket had to offer.

As companies like Ford spearheaded the move towards integrated infotainment solutions like Ford Sync, vehicle manufacturers increased their emphasis on providing clients with more features and better performance. Navigation, USB support for MP3 and WMA files, iPhone control and backup camera systems are now common in even the most basic of vehicles.

Modern source units have become a central control system for vehicle functions such as heating and cooling adjustments. They also have become vehicle information displays for things like tire pressure monitoring. In the past, the radio was a single component that performed a single task. Now, they are an integral part of the car, and no longer an option that can be replaced easily. Many modern vehicles use distributed multimedia systems that cannot be replaced at all.

How do we upgrade the sound system? Your mobile electronics specialist retailer is armed with several integration solutions that work with your factory source unit. These products allow for the installation of high-power amplifiers, signal processors and speaker upgrades to dramatically improve the performance of the system. Vehicle manufacturers rarely invest in high-quality speakers, so there is ample opportunity to improve even premium-branded OEM sound systems.

Cosmetic Integration

Another telltale sign of an old-school, high-end sound system were custom door panels. A set of aftermarket components mounted to an adapter plate or panel on top of the factory door skin was common. A premium installation may have a custom cloth-covered grill over the speaker instead of the mesh grill provided by the manufacturer.

Custom Installations — This speaker installation by Adrenaline Autosound is representative of best-practice work.

Modern sound system upgrades are often nearly invisible. With the increase in available speaker mounting depth afforded by complex contoured door panel designs, high-end component speakers can be installed behind factory grills on custom adapter plates. Once the door is back together, there is no sign of the upgrade. Add in some sound deadening and speaker coupling rings, and the performance of your new sound system will increase by another order of magnitude.

Depending on the design of the vehicle, the tweeters from the new component set may fit into the factory location with little to no modification. In cases where the factory tweeter is in a location that doesn’t provide optimum placement, your installer can fabricate a compact tweeter pod for the sail panel or mount them in the A-pillar. Either way, the result is cosmetically inconspicuous while offering excellent performance.

Subwoofer Enclosures

It used to be that having a subwoofer in your vehicle meant sacrificing a significant amount of storage area in the hatch or trunk of your vehicle. A pair of ten- or twelve-inch subwoofers in a large vented enclosure took up take up a large amount of space. While the underlying philosophy of how speakers work has not changed in decades, modern subwoofer designs produce excellent low-frequency output from extremely compact enclosures. Enclosures concealed in spare tire wells or into the corner of a hatch take up little to no cargo space while providing excellent low-frequency performance.

Pickup trucks are a popular platform for upgrades. There are now dozens of subwoofers on the market that feature basket and motor designs that allow for under-seat enclosures. A pair of ten-inch subwoofers under the rear seat of a Sierra, Silverado, F-150 or Ram is a daily occurrence.

Materials and Cosmetics

If you look back through car audio magazines from the 90’s, you would be assaulted with amplifier and processor racks finished in tweed and trunk liner carpet. For a custom show-car installation, high-gloss painted fiberglass was popular. Looking back, these installations rarely matched the styling cues and materials that came from the factory. Instead, they seemed to contrast them deliberately. There are always exceptions, but from a stereotypical perspective, divergence appeared to be the name of the game.

Modern installations use vinyl that matches the factory materials for color and often for grain. Acrylic plastic inserts replicate factory styling accents. Where new grills need to be created, installers are now including multi-dimensional contours to give the panel more depth and elegance. Many installations feature painted dash or center console inserts for DSPs and radar detector control panels that match other styling cues correctly. Trunk installations are trimmed nicely so the subwoofer enclosure looks integrated rather than something dropped in back of a vehicle. Chrome inserts, accent lines and the use of several complementary materials can turn what was an all-black carpeted trunk into a creative and highlighted part of the system. But it will still look like it is a cosmetically-integrated part of the vehicle.

The highest praise for most installers is to hear that the audio system they installed sounds exceptional, and that it looks like it was a factory-installed option!

System Design and Equipment

The proliferation of reasonably priced digital signal processors has changed the way car audio systems are designed. In days gone by, a mid-level sound system upgrade may have included a four-channel amplifier, a subwoofer amplifier, a set of component speakers for the front doors, a set of coaxial speakers for the rear doors and a subwoofer. Now, rear speaker upgrades are often forsaken in favor of a DSP processor and active filtering on the front stage speakers.

The benefits of a fully active system are dramatic. Your installer has full control over the crossover frequencies and output levels for each speaker. He can equalize and adjust the signal delay to the left and right speakers to create a focused and stable soundstage across the dash of the vehicle. Your music will sound more natural and realistic. Many new system amplifiers include built-in digital signal processors to allow for a fully active three-way system installation using a single chassis. Some of these amplifiers are small enough to fit under a seat to save space.

Upgrade your Sound System for Better Performance

A lot has changed regarding car audio system design, equipment choices and vehicle integration. You can enjoy recording studio or concert-like performance from a system upgrade that is nearly invisible. If you were a fan of car audio systems years ago, then it is worth visiting your local mobile electronics specialist retailer today. You will be able to experience the latest products and installation techniques in person.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Off-Road Electrical Accessories

An afternoon of plowing through knee-high mud or bouncing off rocks in your favorite four-wheeler is a lot of fun! But proper preparation before embarking on your adventure will help to ensure that your day goes without issue. When it comes to preparation, a reliable electrical system and properly-installed accessories are as important as the mechanical systems on your truck. Read on to find out why your local mobile enhancement retailer is the perfect destination for the installation of your off-road electrical accessories.

Off-Road Lighting

High-power lighting is synonymous with off-road adventure preparation. Nobody wants to be stuck in the woods after the sun sets and not be able to see. In years gone by, adding high-power lighting meant having a row of large round lights on your front bumper or roof rack. These incandescent lights consumed a significant amount of power. For example, a single KC Pro-Sport Halogen lights can consume 8.3 amps of current and produce 2452 lumens.

Modern lights use multiple LEDs to provide much more efficient, and arguably more durable solutions. Rigid Industries is one of the leaders in LED off-road lights. Their Dually XL lights feature 9 LEDs per light and will produce more than 2736 lumens each while consuming 4.6 Amps of current. Regarding efficiency, that is almost exactly twice as much light output per amp of current consumed.

Lighting upgrades include light bars, small lights that can mount in your grill or bumper, rock lights, work lights, backup lights and more. Headlight upgrades to HID or LED solutions can make the drive to and from the trail safer as well. Lighting upgrades are popular on ATVs, side-by-sides and if your geography suits it, snowmobiles.

Lighting and Accessory System Control and Installation

When it comes to light installation, there are three important considerations: Mounting/aiming, wiring, and control. A reputable mobile enhancement retailer can provide a unique combination of installation creativity and durability. Custom mounting brackets, unique mounting locations and amazing integration options set their installations apart from conventional “bolt-on” solutions.

Mobile electronics technicians have unmatched experience when it comes to wiring. The path that the wiring for your lights takes is as important as how the lights are mounted and how they are controlled. Protecting wiring from damage starts with avoiding potential damage from moving parts, heat sources and sharp edges on metal brackets. Your wiring will also be concealed beautifully. Proper routing starts at the light by running the wiring into bumpers or roof racks, and where it runs through the vehicle. Cloth tape, braided wire loom, split loom tubing and heat shrink tubing are just some of the standard solutions used to conceal and protect the wiring. Zip ties or tesa tape will secure the wiring to ensure it will not fall out of place and be damaged.

Controlling your auxiliary lighting systems offers us another unique specialty of your local mobile electronics retailer. In days gone by, the ubiquitous chrome toggle switch mounted in the center console or on the panel under the steering column was par for the course. These days that would stand out like a paint run on a Bugatti! There are several options for lighting control. Perhaps one of the most preferred solutions is to purchase an OEM switch that fits into a blank in your dash and repurpose it for the new lights. A close second option are aftermarket switches that look like factory switches. Some of these have unusual and unique labeling to help describe the function of the light. Rock Lights, work lights, light bar and the ever-important Zombie lights are just some of the options. Your installer can integrate one or more of these lights into an existing control panel, or fabricate a new panel for all of your accessories.

Many people overlook the importance of how electrical connections are made. There are several options available when it comes to making an electrical connection. We could spend an entire article discussing the benefits and drawbacks of different wire connections methods. We will simplify by stating that soldered connections, protected with premium vinyl electrical tape or heat shrink tubing will offer excellent electrical performance and exceptional reliability.

Off-Road Winches

If lighting is the number one accessory for off-roaders, then a winch has to be a very close second. Heading out on a challenging trail without a winch is a risky decision. Even a small winch can help you get out of a (literally) sticky situation. When it comes to winches, Warn Industries is the most recognized brand name in the industry. They manufacture winches for trucks and ATVs, as well as heavy duty solutions for tow trucks and compact winches for motorcycles. Winches are powered by an electric motor. To do work, these motors require large amounts of current. The compact Warn XT17 portable motorcycle winch can draw as much as 65 amps when pulling 1700 lbs, and a popular winch like the 10,000 lb Warn Zeon 10-S can consume 409 amps at full load. How your winch is connected to your vehicle electrical system will not impact its performance, but also the reliability.

Just as with a high-power amplifier, feeding your winch requires large-gauge wiring to supply power efficiently. The cable size depends on the size and subsequent current requirements of the winch, and the distance the winch is located from the battery and alternator. For a large winch, you should look at upgrading the electrical connections between the alternator and both the battery and chassis of the vehicle. Your installer can help make recommendations to ensure the system will function reliably.

High-Performance Air Compressors

Another popular off-road accessory is an air compressor. Many off-road enthusiasts will let some air out of their tires to increase the contact patch as they venture off the pavement. Once the day on the trails is done, having a quality air compressor available to pump them back up for the drive home will make your trip safer and more efficient. Air compressors can also be used to activate Air Locker differentials to increase traction or inflate air suspension components to change ride height.

Companies like ARB offer a full line of air compressors. From a compact unit like the CKSA12 that can flow just under 1 cfm and produce 100 psi of pressure to a monster like the CKMTA12 that will provide more than 6cfm and 150 psi, all of these compressors need current to perform. Big compressors can draw as much as 50 amps of current– similar to what a 500-watt amplifier can consumer. Again, proper wire size selection and reliable connections not only ensure reliability but can increase performance.

Charging System Upgrades

If you are running a big winch, lots of lighting, and have a truck full of all the latest technology…then your electrical system may have a hard time keeping up with the power demands. Your mobile enhancement retailer can help in two ways. A high-current alternator can easily double the amount of charging current available as compared to the factory unit. Many aftermarket alternators provide 280-300 amps of current, and some feature adjustable voltage regulators to fine-tune power delivery.

Upgrading your battery is an excellent way to improve the reliability of your electrical system. A high-performance battery in a stock size can provide a little more capacity. AGM-style batteries can handle the shock and vibration that off-roading induces better than conventional flooded batteries. Your retailer may be able to fit an oversized battery in your vehicle with some simple fabrication.

If you are headed deep into the woods to camp, then an auxiliary battery system may be worth investigation. Having a battery dedicated to starting your engine, and a second battery dedicated to your accessories adds safety and security. The batteries are charged by your truck’s alternator but operate independently. If you kill the accessory battery, the starter battery is ready to get your vehicle running and get things charged back up.

Convenience Accessories

The list of convenience accessories you can add to your off-road is nearly endless. A high-power two-way radio can help you stay in touch with friends, or call for a little help if you get REALLY stuck! A power inverter will let you run 120 VAC accessories like a laptop or small power tools to make repairs. Additional cigarette lighter style plugs or dedicated USB ports can be added to make charging portable devices easier. We once heard of someone installing a snow-making machine in a vehicle. With that said, anything is possible.

When it comes time to outfit your off-road vehicle with equipment to make your adventure safer or more entertaining, drop by your local mobile electronics retailer. They can help you choose the right accessories for your application. Even if the shop does not sell the product you want, talk to them about doing the installation for you. The performance and reliability of your electrical components will thank you for it!

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Car Audio System Setup

Signal-level Adjustments

Why Sensitivity Adjustments are Important

System Setup Tools

Crossover Adjustments

Speaker Polarity Adjustments

Leave It to the Experts

It’s Smart to Purchase Your Audio Gear From the Shop Installing It

Choosing the Right Solution

Picking the Right Audio Gear

Product Installation

Warranty Coverage

After Sales Support

Spend Your Money Wisely

Is Darker Window Tint Better?

Where Does the Heat Come from?

Let’s Talk about Film Darkness

How Clear Window Films Work

Is Darker Window Tint Necessary?

Comparing Specifications

Install Comfort with an IR Blocking Window Film

Custom Installations – Past and Present

Source Units

Cosmetic Integration

Subwoofer Enclosures

Materials and Cosmetics

System Design and Equipment

Upgrade your Sound System for Better Performance

Off-Road Electrical Accessories

Off-Road Lighting

Lighting and Accessory System Control and Installation

Off-Road Winches

High-Performance Air Compressors

Charging System Upgrades

Convenience Accessories

Customer Reviews

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