So I want to keep my original Hitachi KM-1420 radio in the dash, with the output sent to speaker-level input of an amp/sound processor.
My question is which is + and which is - for the speaker wires? I've got Grey (female bullet connector) and Grey/Blue stripe (male bullet connector). Anyone know which is which?
Thanks!
J.T.
Original Hitachi AM/FM radio speaker wiring
Original Hitachi AM/FM radio speaker wiring
- Attachments
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- Hitachi KM 1420 (1420BB on face, 1420DB on sticker)
- RadioFront_sm.jpg (82.77 KiB) Viewed 3132 times
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- Grey and Grey/Blue stripe
- SpeakerAndWires_sm.jpg (73.75 KiB) Viewed 3132 times
72 PL510 4door Blue#645/White "Ellie"
72 PL510 2door BambooTan/White
72 PL510 2door BambooTan/White
- two_68_510s
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Re: Original Hitachi AM/FM radio speaker wiring
On my old set, the Grey/blue wire is grounded on the frame of the radio:
Whole setup:
So, grey/blue is negative and grey is positive:Joel
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
2 '68 510 2 door sedans
'95 240SX
“We will either find a way, or make one.” – Hannibal
Re: Original Hitachi AM/FM radio speaker wiring
These old radios are before the advent of floating output (bridged ) car stereo, so the negative on the speaker is the same as the radio chassis. The next question is your amp/sound processor going to work with a non floating ground car stereo (assuming that it is the amp is a later model). In the old days we would use a Pioneer AD-304 as a booster.
Re: Original Hitachi AM/FM radio speaker wiring
Thanks! After looking at your pic I guess I should have removed the dime-sized cover where the wires go in to take a look.
Seems to be working now, some stations are clear and sound ok (ok for running mono sound through stereo speakers), others are a bit crackly. Thanks for the advice on the non-floating ground. I was wondering about that. I think I will check with Infinity about running that on an extended basis.
Radio is build for an 8 Ohm speaker. I assume the Amp is set up to show "modern" 4 Ohm load on the speaker level inputs. So I wired it in series across the L and R speaker level inputs to show the radio the 8 Ohms it's expecting (and also to give sound out of R and L channels):
(Radio output + to amp speaker level input L+)
(amp speaker level input L- to amp speaker level input R+)
(amp speaker level input R- to radio output -)
I got a refurb JBL MS-8 that is supposed to auto-adjust the output levels based on what it "hears" through microphones during the setup. Need to get the rest of the interior put in before I run though the whole setup process. Just happy that I've got some things lighting up and some other things making noise for now.
And, of course, the pictures.
Seems to be working now, some stations are clear and sound ok (ok for running mono sound through stereo speakers), others are a bit crackly. Thanks for the advice on the non-floating ground. I was wondering about that. I think I will check with Infinity about running that on an extended basis.
Radio is build for an 8 Ohm speaker. I assume the Amp is set up to show "modern" 4 Ohm load on the speaker level inputs. So I wired it in series across the L and R speaker level inputs to show the radio the 8 Ohms it's expecting (and also to give sound out of R and L channels):
(Radio output + to amp speaker level input L+)
(amp speaker level input L- to amp speaker level input R+)
(amp speaker level input R- to radio output -)
I got a refurb JBL MS-8 that is supposed to auto-adjust the output levels based on what it "hears" through microphones during the setup. Need to get the rest of the interior put in before I run though the whole setup process. Just happy that I've got some things lighting up and some other things making noise for now.
And, of course, the pictures.
- Attachments
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- RadioInstalled.jpg (217.3 KiB) Viewed 3071 times
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- RadioInstalled2.jpg (192.31 KiB) Viewed 3071 times
72 PL510 4door Blue#645/White "Ellie"
72 PL510 2door BambooTan/White
72 PL510 2door BambooTan/White
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Re: Original Hitachi AM/FM radio speaker wiring
I like your lighter/headlight switch and the rear defrost/lighter.
Re: Original Hitachi AM/FM radio speaker wiring
Thanks!
I got a JDM radio trim that has the bigger hole for the lighter on the right side and I put the lighter over there. Then I got an actual fog light switch to put in the smaller hole. I plan to use the fogs as Daytime Running Lights so now the switch I will use frequently is a whole 6 inches closer, and more importantly a conversation piece.
Post it if you have a pic of the rear defroster switch. Did I read that those were standard in Canada? I almost never see rear defrost cars, and I don't know if I've ever even seen a pic of the switch.
J.T.
I got a JDM radio trim that has the bigger hole for the lighter on the right side and I put the lighter over there. Then I got an actual fog light switch to put in the smaller hole. I plan to use the fogs as Daytime Running Lights so now the switch I will use frequently is a whole 6 inches closer, and more importantly a conversation piece.
Post it if you have a pic of the rear defroster switch. Did I read that those were standard in Canada? I almost never see rear defrost cars, and I don't know if I've ever even seen a pic of the switch.
J.T.
72 PL510 4door Blue#645/White "Ellie"
72 PL510 2door BambooTan/White
72 PL510 2door BambooTan/White
- bertvorgon
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Re: Original Hitachi AM/FM radio speaker wiring
Here is a picture of my rear defroster switch, it has a blue lens in it. It all still works, which does come in handy occasionally up here in the great white north. My car is a true 1973.
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- gauge cluster.JPG (104.79 KiB) Viewed 3031 times
"Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty" - Peter Egan
Keith Law
1973 2 Door Slalom/hill climb/road race / canyon carver /Giant Killer 510
1971 Vintage 13' BOLER trailer
Keith Law
1973 2 Door Slalom/hill climb/road race / canyon carver /Giant Killer 510
1971 Vintage 13' BOLER trailer