Wiring +12v, Low inputs and speakers
NicoB16A2
03-06-2003, 02:52 PM
I know this has been asked a thousand times, but here it goes again. I am installing an amp in the back of my Civic hatch.
It know i should run the RCA low inputs wires separated from the +12V.
I will run the four low input wires in the left side of the car, and the +12V and remote in the right side.
But, i will also need to run the speakers wires from the amp to the front speakers. Is it ok to run those along with the power wires?
In short:
left side of car
- RCA low inputs 1,2,3 & 4
right side
- +12V from battery
- +12V remote
- front speakers wires
Also: my headunit (a kenwood cd/receiver) has line outs and preamp outs (RCA). If I use the preamps, does the head unit still produces power for the line outs. Is that a problem? Do I just tape the lineouts? The head unit does not have a way to deactivate them. It may be a stupid question, but...
Thanks a lot, and again, sorry for my bad english
It know i should run the RCA low inputs wires separated from the +12V.
I will run the four low input wires in the left side of the car, and the +12V and remote in the right side.
But, i will also need to run the speakers wires from the amp to the front speakers. Is it ok to run those along with the power wires?
In short:
left side of car
- RCA low inputs 1,2,3 & 4
right side
- +12V from battery
- +12V remote
- front speakers wires
Also: my headunit (a kenwood cd/receiver) has line outs and preamp outs (RCA). If I use the preamps, does the head unit still produces power for the line outs. Is that a problem? Do I just tape the lineouts? The head unit does not have a way to deactivate them. It may be a stupid question, but...
Thanks a lot, and again, sorry for my bad english
turbcivic
03-06-2003, 03:44 PM
Yea, i haven't had a problem yet.
b16a3sol
03-06-2003, 04:27 PM
ideally you should run the speaker wires all on the same side, and the power on the other side, but it doesnt make too much of a difference.
as for the lineouts vs preouts, just use the preouts and dont do anything with the lineouts. most likely it has some sort of switch inside that determines with lines are drawing current and adjusts things accordingly so you dont try and draw too many signals from it. you dont need to cap off or tape the lineouts, just leave it as it is. if you are still using the same wiring harness, just terminate all the wires going to speakers, and you should be fine.
as for the lineouts vs preouts, just use the preouts and dont do anything with the lineouts. most likely it has some sort of switch inside that determines with lines are drawing current and adjusts things accordingly so you dont try and draw too many signals from it. you dont need to cap off or tape the lineouts, just leave it as it is. if you are still using the same wiring harness, just terminate all the wires going to speakers, and you should be fine.
NicoB16A2
03-06-2003, 05:14 PM
Thanks for the response. But one thing it's still not clear: the speaker wires should run along the preamps, or along the power wires? Or it doesn't matter? (As long as the preamps and the power wires are run separately)
PaulD
03-06-2003, 09:09 PM
yes, we HAVE been over this numerous times. Running RCA's and power wires on opposite sides of the car is and old wives tale that turns out to be false when scrutinized
turbcivic
03-10-2003, 01:56 PM
HUH? I have to disagree with you, i have see many problems fixed when you move the rca cables away from the power wire.
PaulD
03-10-2003, 05:41 PM
the problem was fixed by moving the RCA cable away from the noise ... which wasn't the power wire. I will ask the same question - when the music is turned all the way down, does the noise diminish ? Of course not, the noise stays the same - even though there is no power going thru the wire. And what goes in MUST come out (thevenin's theorem) - all the current that goes thru the power wire to the amps returns to the battery thru the chassis. There is no way to seperate the cable from the vicinity of the chassis, unless you suspend it in the middle of the car. There are lots of "noisy" spots in modern cars - the secret is to find a path that is the least noisy
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