I recently bought dual sub-woofer box that has blue illumination lights but i need 12 vdc connection ?

Question

what is a 12 vdc connection and is it something i can buy or when i get a professional to hook up my subs could they have what i need to get the lights illuminating. if i have to buy it where can i get it from?

Answer 1

You can buy 12 volts in the land of oz. Ask for the wizard, look out for the witch.

Answer 2

You just need a switched 12 volt source to power the lights.

I would use the ignition wire from the head unit. It's a known switched source and you'll probably be in the dash to run the RCAs anyway.  

Answer 3

A professional installer will work that out for you. A 12 vdc connection just means that they have to wire power to the sub-woofer box.

Answer 4

Connecting the lights to 12 volts is relatively easy.  You have a 12-volt power source available right at the amplifier.  The question is, how do you want the lights to be switched?  Do you want them on whenever the key is on?  Only when the subs are playing?  Only when you open the trunk?

You can use a standard automotive relay, available at Radio Shack or just about any auto parts or car audio store, to power the lights.  Connect the light's ground terminal to chassis metal, or just to the ground terminal of the amp.  Connect the (+) terminal to the #30 connection of the relay, and connect the 87 terminal to your amp's positive power terminal.  (Put a 1-amp fuse between the amp terminal and the relay).  The other relay terminals used will be 85 and 86, and their connections will depend on the switching method you want.

You can use 18-gauge primary wire, or just leftover speaker wire, to make your connections.