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Remember Ohm's law:
Never talk back to Mrs. Ohm.
If that doesn't help, try Ohm's other law:
E=I*R Translated into English, Voltage = Current * Resistance.
If you have one device drawing X amount of volts (i.e. the head unit) and you add in parallel another device that will draw Y amount of volts (i.e. the adapter) off of the SAME line, then Ohms law dictates that they will get their required voltage by increasing CURRENT DRAW through that wire. Since resistance remains pretty much constant, the circuit will automatically draw more current to keep the equation balanced. What this means:
The wire which was designed to carry a certain load now is carrying more. What amperage fuse is attached to this circuit? Just something to consider. More current will also generate more heat, so if the wire is undersized it's going to be like pushing water through a straw instead of a garden hose. Should any of this concern you?
I doubt it. The changer should indicate somewhere how many amps it draws on a dataplate or something. It probably won't be much. If you've got a couple of low current draw items pulling power off the same line, then as long as the wiring is adequate you shouldn't have a problem. I wired my CD changer's power source to the rear amplifier on my '89 and never had a problem. If it's too much juice, you'll just keep blowing fuses. That's what they are there for, to prevent you from overloading the wiring. Examples of higher current draw items: Electric radiator fans, fuel pumps, ECUs. I'm a bit rusty, but hopefully Elec. Eng. 101 has been helpful in explaining your situation. If you need more explanation, just email me specific questions and I'll try to help. If I can't I'll fire it over to my father; a Volvophile and Electrical Engineer both for many years longer than I've been alive.
-Jon
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1LT Jonathan T. Belmont-- '91 Coupe 165K 'Gustaf'
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