I am looking to get a Sirius Starbase to install into my new 2007 TC. The factory option is way too expensive from the dealer and the install looks horribly complicated. I was wondering what the best way to hook up the power would be. It says you need to tap into;

* 12v Constant power
* 12v Switched power
* Ground

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-1UDewPF...350&I=607SCFM1

When I installed some car stereo amps a few years ago we usually tapped into the battery. Would this be the best way to go here? Is it easy to get to the battery through the car? Is there something else I could tap into that would be easier?

 

Constant sounds like the battery and Switched sounds like ignition maybe. Not 100% sure though.

 

For the ground and switched power, I tapped into the cigarette lighter wires. I didn't need a constant for mine though. Look through the wiring guides here on the site and you should be able to find one. Either that, or start stabbing wires with a multimeter.

 

I did some searching and it looks like I may be able to tap into everything from the radio harness. Would these be sufficient? I would much rather tap into the radio because it is a lot less work than tapping into the battery.

Also, how does tapping into the cigarette lighter work? Is it the same as tapping into any other source? How is it switched? Doesn't the lighter have to be pushed in to be "switched" (forgive my ignorance regarding this stuff, I admit I know nothing).


Radio 12v blue + radio harness
Radio Ground brown - radio harness
Radio Ignition gray + radio harness


Radio Illumination green + radio harness
Factory Amp Turn-on N/A
Power Antenna orange + radio harness
LF Speaker +/- pink - purple +,- radio harness
RF Speaker +/- lt. green - blue +,- radio harness
LR Speaker +/- brown - yellow +,- radio harness
RR Speaker +/- red - white +,- radio harness

 

Will the parts that I bolded in my post above be sufficient to power the "brain" of this unit? Are there any drawbacks to this?

 

yes you will be find doing it that way