Speakers wire and RCAs Install
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=41031
Printed Date: May 15, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Topic: Speakers wire and RCAs Install
Posted By: jeep59
Subject: Speakers wire and RCAs Install
Date Posted: October 16, 2004 at 8:38 PM
Hello, Im in the middle of an install, can I run my battery lead to the AMP (4gauge to 300W amp) next to my speaker wires? Also can I run my RCAs next to my speaker wires (but on the other side on the car of my battery lead) Thanks!
Replies:
Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: October 16, 2004 at 8:49 PM
It it best to keep any audio carring wires away from power wires
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2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
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Posted By: jeep59
Date Posted: October 16, 2004 at 8:58 PM
Thanks Jeff, how about RCAs and Speaker wire?
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 16, 2004 at 9:53 PM
Like Jeff says , try always to keep power wires as far away from signal wires and cables as possible. RCAs ans speaker wires together should be ok as long as your using good quality RCAs and not the cheaper ones.
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99 F-one fitty
Pioneer Premier H/U
Alpine EQ
Kicker 1200 amp
4 Kicker comp 10s
6 kicker SS65.2 components
Posted By: jeep59
Date Posted: October 16, 2004 at 9:58 PM
Well im building my own out of cheap speaker wire. I guess Ill run the batt/remote down the left side, the RCAs down the middle, and the speakers (except the LR) down the right) Thanks
Posted By: Rushman
Date Posted: October 16, 2004 at 10:02 PM
Im sure that will work for you but dont be suprised if you pick up some or alot of noise and altenator wine.
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99 F-one fitty
Pioneer Premier H/U
Alpine EQ
Kicker 1200 amp
4 Kicker comp 10s
6 kicker SS65.2 components
Posted By: jeep59
Date Posted: October 16, 2004 at 11:01 PM
Ok so if i go buy $60 worth of twisted pair shielded RCAs (3x as I have a 6 channel amp) will that do it?
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: October 17, 2004 at 12:21 AM
You can make your own as long as you twist the wires and keep them away from power wires. If, in the end, you get noise in the system that you can't get rid of...then buy some twisted pair RCA's of high quality. You'll only be out the cost of the cheap speaker wires, the RCA plugs, and your time. I use a variable-speed drill and a wood plate at the tip of it to twist wires...goes real fast. Using the plate keeps the wires separated and makes the twisting easier. You can run all the signal wires down the opposite side of the power wire, easier than running down the center. Note, the wires going to the amp need to be twisted...the speaker wires from the amp do not. 
https://www.bcae1.com/installationprimer.htm ------------- Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
Posted By: jeep59
Date Posted: October 17, 2004 at 12:48 AM
Great idea, is that stranded wire or solid?
What about CAT5 Cable? Its twisted and has 8 strands already But solid. I can pick these up for ~$20 each tomorrow so to be safe and since its sunday maybe I can wrap it up before work Monday
https://www.monstercable.com/caraudio2/productPageCar.asp?pin=1561 Either way CAT5/Make my own twsiters/buy the ones above- its ok to run them next to my outbound speaker cable? Thanks
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: October 17, 2004 at 12:59 AM
Stranded is always used for its flexiblity in a car environment. And you need to twist to one to two twists per inch. Can't do that with solid wire. I'm not familiar with CAT5 cable...but you get the picture. Can you work with it, will it hide under carpeting, and so forth. I thought you were working with a budget of two dollars and fifty cents. Well, not that low...but the price of bulk 20 gauge wire is pretty low at a hardware store, if you find one where you can buy it by the foot. That allows you to use different colors so you can keep the polarity correct. But in the end, yes, you can run them along with the speaker wires as I said above.
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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
Posted By: Francious70
Date Posted: October 17, 2004 at 1:10 AM
Cat 5 Cable will work, but it's usually not reccomended. Granted, it's double shielded, has 8 strands, but it would hide under carpet to well. It would to an extent, but i don't think good enough.
Thats my $0.02
Paul
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