pa880 install with OEM HU

wekieboom
wekieboom Posts: 9
edited February 2012 in Car Audio & Electronics
I was planning on using the speaker level harness but had some questions...


Manual states that left channel is white for + and white/black for - and right channel is Gray+ and gray/black- but it seems odd the way they lined up these wires on the harness with white and grey on the left a black in the middle and both the white/black and grey/black on the right.... basically just wanted to confirm if the manual is correct here is a very simple diagram of what I am looking at.

Next question I have is why does the speaker level harness have the solid black (ground) wire? Would I need to use this?

Third question: How well does the automatic sense signal work to turn on and off the amp while using the speaker level harness versus the REM remote turn-on input??

FYI: if yall care... I am installing this amp, using a cheapo 8 awg wire set up with 12 arg for speaker wire, to run my 1 X JL 12W1v2 (4ohm) in a tuned bandpass box. This is going in my 2011 Accord.
Post edited by wekieboom on
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  • wekieboom
    wekieboom Posts: 9
    edited September 2011
    oh btw... I am pretty pumped as the pa880 is replacing an old (9 years or so) rockford fosgate 200.4 that I have been bridging one side of to power this amp. So I am going from ~75-100 (pre 2006 ratings when Fosgate was still purposefully underating their power) to 300!! I am excited but my wife will hate every minute of it.
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  • wekieboom
    wekieboom Posts: 9
    edited September 2011
    The more I think the more questions I have!

    I was planning on mounting this on the subwoofer enclosure but was thinking about all I have read about this amp getting so hot... would it be better to mount this on the floor as I have read that is the best cooling position for amps versus on its side?
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  • wekieboom
    wekieboom Posts: 9
    edited September 2011
    I'm glad you here and that it is your first time!
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  • Vital
    Vital Posts: 747
    edited September 2011
    U'll probably get a better responce in Car Audio section of the forum

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=5
    2008 Nissan Altima
    Kenwood DNX 5140
    Arc Audio IDX and XEQ
    Polk Audio SR6500 active and SR124-dvc sealed
    Polk Audio PA500.4 and PA1200.1
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  • wekieboom
    wekieboom Posts: 9
    edited September 2011
    I actually got some answers already here they are for anyone looking in the future! :

    "Make sure to follow the recommended high level wiring diagram when using the speaker connection method.

    The colors are correct for channel identification and polarity.

    I would not recommend using the auto sense for the remote turn on. I would run a separate 12 Volt DC trigger wire from the head unit. This is by far a more reliable method.
    The Auto Sense mode relies on an input signal that must break a threshold of 100 millivolts in order to turn on the amplifier."
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  • wekieboom
    wekieboom Posts: 9
    edited September 2011
    Now I am having another issue! The amp flat out doesn't work. On a trial run the Power light came on for about 5 seconds and then the Problem light kinda flickered for about 3 blinks... WTF!

    I checked all my connections and all are sound. I also hooked up my old Fosgate and it worked perfectly, so I re-tried the PA880 and got no lights at all! I am awaiting an answer from customer service but wanted to see if anyone had suggestions!
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  • Vital
    Vital Posts: 747
    edited September 2011
    Where did you get it from? Do you have warranty?
    2008 Nissan Altima
    Kenwood DNX 5140
    Arc Audio IDX and XEQ
    Polk Audio SR6500 active and SR124-dvc sealed
    Polk Audio PA500.4 and PA1200.1
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  • wekieboom
    wekieboom Posts: 9
    edited September 2011
    good ol' EBAY. The seller is actually going to send me a replacement now, so hopefully I can get that one working:confused:

    But I am interested in what would be wrong with this one... inquisitive mind and all.

    I opened her up and checked the internals visually to check for water damage or something of that nature but every thing looks clean. I also double checked the fuses via a resistance test on my volt meter. So still looking for any more ideas before I write it off!
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  • Vovan
    Vovan Posts: 2
    edited November 2011
    Hi guys,
    I've bought a PA880 and DXi112.
    My car is Honda Pilot 2009. It is already has OEM sub.
    My intention is follow: connect wire from factory sub to Polk audio PA880 speaker level input and use PA subwoofer DXi112 instead of
    OEM one .
    So, I have 3 questions:
    1. Do I need to connect third "power" wire from ACC to start up PA880(while going to use speakers level, which according to manual will turn unit on)?
    2. Do I need to connect two or four wires (parallel) on 6 pin harness speaker level while connecting it with my head unit
    subwoofer output? ( it is supposed to connect 2 channel stereo output, but I have only one channel from my head unit)
    3. Is it nesessary to connect "ground" (black wire on 6 pin harness speaker level) to the car ground?

    Your answers will be very much appreciated cause manual do not reveal that.

    Thanks in advance!!!
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  • Vovan
    Vovan Posts: 2
    edited November 2011
    I've moved ahead and:
    - put together left and right channels of speakers level input and connected to my HU sub output.
    - connected black wire to ground
    PA880 doesn't turn on.
    I've added remote"+" (took it from the lighter, which gets power once ignition is ON)
    Amp turns ON, but no sound. Once I disconnect 6 pin harness and connect it back, starts sound. But, since up to 1 minute of being playing starts humming loudly (despite of the volume level), and the only one way to stop it is to turn the ignition OFF to stop power amp.
    May be some one faced this? did I hooked it up properly?
    Thanks!
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  • lildray87
    lildray87 Posts: 3
    edited February 2012
    im having a similar issue but not with my 6 pin its with my standard rca cables amp turns on with the ignition but i het no sound unless i unplug my rca cables and then plug them back in then it owrks perfectly!! i dont get it maybe someone can help us both
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