Recommended power leads for a radio

[njoconnor]

While finishing up the carpeting this weekend, I took a long look at the PO's version of a radio power lead. Looks to be a simple "scrape the insulation off the red wire off the ignition, wrap the radio wire stands around it, apply black electrical tape" level of execution. At least he put an inline fuse holder in it.... .

Any suggestions on doing it right? Which fuse/circuit, etc. I won't be installing a radio until later this summer (probably a Retrosound Model 2). I have the antenna leads and speaker wires pre-laid and in place. I'd prefer a solderless solution (soldering is on the "to be learned " list), but I'll consider all ideas.

Thanks

Neil

[81SPIDERMATT]

I was curious about this myself ....

http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=23326

[aj81spider]

My stereo needed always on and switched power. For the always on I cut the power wire going to the lighter and crimped connectors on both sides - then installed a jumper "Y" cable to go to the stereo between them.

For the switched power I traced the switched power from the ignition switch to the fuse box (my car is a 74, so it may differ in wire color and fuse connections from yours). There was a spare terminal that I could connect to (with a crimped connector on the wire side) to carry switched power to the stereo. Make sure to put an in-line fuse on this, as you will be going unfused from the ignition switch to the stereo.

You can do all of this with crimped on connectors and no soldering.

[njoconnor]

Thanks, aj81spider. I'll have to see what my intended radio requires when I buy it this summer. I suspect this is what the PO was trying to do (albeit clumsily) with the "wrap around splice".

Neil