3rd Gen Amplifier Mounting Locations - a PSA

I'm sure this has been gone over before, but I just want to reiterate - when choosing to mount your amp on the back wall behind the rear seats/bench/whatever - please be ask yourself the following questions:

1. Has your third brake light leaked yet?
2. Have you sealed your third brake light? Regardless if it has been replaced or not.
3. Do you have a plan to not forget your rear window open?

I point out the issues because I have fried an amp twice (almost 3 times) - twice due to me forgetting the rear window open, and almost once due to the third brake light.

My original amp location was right under the rear window:

Arc Audio:



I left the rear window open while test driving a car with my son, and it rained. Amp stopped working, so I shipped it out to Arc Audio to repair. It's fine now, but in my son's Volvo.

AudioControl:

When I shipped out the Arc for repairs, I bought an AudioControl LC-6.1200. Easily the best amp I have ever owned. But I put it in the same location as the Arc:



And forgot the rear window open. So I had to send the AudioControl back for servicing as well.

Taking the opportunity to reconfigure behind the seats, as well as order a new box from Mr. Marv, with a 12" sub, I went to work moving the amp rack over to behind the passenger rear seat:



And then we had rain. Heavy ass rain. My truck had all the windows closed, and I discovered this:






I had left the truck outside because the wife and I were watching the rain from the garage - it had been a while - NH was in a drought. So I pulled it in and removed the amp right away. Called AudioControl - and Josh (we're on a first name basis now) told me as long as it did not power up while wet, to just let it dry out for a few days.

I had the third brake light repaired (out of pocket because my roof had been vinyled by a third party vendor) - then reinstalled the amp, and it powered right up (after three days drying in front of a fan)

Anyway, before installing your amp on the back wall - please be sure you have a plan in place for water damage mitigation!

 

Good advise

 

Good to know! I am in the process of doing a subwoofer install on my truck now. I will have to keep an eye out. Not sure if the 3rd brake light issue has been resolved for 2020 models. Hello from NH