Alright, I got my Z2 back in early January and installed the entire thing myself which was amazing considering I had never done anything with car audio or wiring in my life. I trusted this website and others for information, and I learned quite a bit. The whole process was educational and enjoyable.

Anyways, now that I've saved some more money, it's time to accessorize my unit with a back up camera and possibly xm. Since I'm new to car wiring still, I need to know more about constant power connections. So here are my questions.

1. Can multiple constant power connections be made on the same wire. For example, could I connect power for both xm and the camera to the same constant wire that my head unit goes to? Why and why not?

2. With wiretaps, like the ones included with the AVIC installation itself, do they sever the wire or simply penetrate? I'm asking cause if I made a mistake can I easily remove a tap and tape up the exposed wire, or would I actuatly have to solder the wire back together again so it would work?

As always, thank you guys for your insight, and for instructing us less informed guys on these things so we don't start car fires!

I wired my XM to the same wire for my Z2. I'm sure someone will chime in about there is too much amperage running through the circuit, but if the fuse doesn't blow, it doesn't blow. Your best bet is to look at your radio fuse and see how many amps it is. Then pull it and see if anything else is effected (cigarette lighter). The radio pulls a MAX of 10 amps, and I highly doubt it ever gets anywhere near there.

You are probably okay throwing the camera into the mix also. Worse that happens is the fuse blows. And if that happens, do no put a larger amp fuse in. Find another place to wire the stuff too.

The taps that come with the radio suck. They are known as Scotchlocks. I know people use them every day, but they suck. Find a local stereo shop to buy a couple T-taps from, and the insulated male connectors that go with them. (Google it, 3M makes them)

99% of the time, you aren't going to have a problem with the wire breaking with either tap. It's SUPPOSED to just pierce the insulation. A lot of the times you don't even need electrical tape, but it's always good to use. In the event that the wire breaks, you could either solder it, or butt connect it. I use butt connectors most of the time and don't have a high failure rate with them. Although I'm sure there will be some disagreement.

Congrats on your install, and good luck with the rest!

I wired my BTB200 module to the XM tuner to the HU. I also tapped into the HU for the steering wheel control module. It's been fine so far.

It depends on the vehicle. Hondas only have a 7.5amp constant at the back of the radio, where GM has 10, sometimes 20 amp.

But YES you can use the radio constant to run all accessories for Zx sieres, Bluetooth,XM,Sirius,Camera (not on constant) Ipod Module, and the Zx itself. SHOULD.. SHOULD ... only draw about 7-9 amps of current total, however it may be a little more.

T-taps and Scotch Locks somtime cut into the wireitself, and are generally NOT accepted at all in the Professional Car audio world. for anything. The fall off and only tap into 2-10 stands of the actual wire, resutling in a connection that may not handle all the current, and/or will fall off and fail.

Solder or crimp for your best connections

Wolfz23