correct way to run power & speaker wires?

**michaelrj9** · 07-14-2005, 10:45 PM

Hi all,
I know the correct way is to make sure the power and speaker wires are ran on separate sides of the car, but does that mean the speaker wires (for my components in the front going to the crosover in the trunk) or just the rca cables going from the head unit to the amps.

Why I am asking is because 5 years ago I had my system put in by a car audio shop that has been in business for 20+ years won lots of competitions with trophies, and they have my rca cables and the power cable separate but the speaker wires were on the same side as the power cable.
Is this the correct way?
does it make a difference
or did they cut corners because it was easier?
or maybe it was me because I did re-run some wires when I upgraded my system but I do not think so because I think I would of re-ran them the same way as they were.
If this is incorrect what would be the minimum distance that should be between them

thanks for all your help.
Michael

**SickVette** · 07-14-2005, 11:07 PM

Speaker wires and power wires can run together. Signal cables (RCA) should not run with the power wire. It is almost impossible to keep the power and RCA totally seperate do to small space available in a car and both wires have to terminate in the same location. Just use a quality RCA and keep them as seperate as possible and you will be fine.

**GreenBeast** · 07-15-2005, 05:43 AM

speaker wire and power together? surely not

they can all be run separately if you're willing to take seats out and stuff,
i just installed all my cable the other day. I have speaker cables down both sides to all the doors then power cables (main 4AWG, a 12v and 5v run and remote on) on the passenger side of the centre console and my 2 usb's and my VGA down the driver's side of the centre console
therefore all power and signal cables are separated and i shouldn't have any interference from them

**SickVette** · 07-15-2005, 08:32 AM

GreenBeast...show me an install that has noise in it from power wire running next to a speaker wire. You can't and it is not because you are across the pond. I have installed 1000's of amplifiers in my 15 year career as a professional car audio installer and not 1 time has I ever seen noise in a system because a power wire is next to a speaker wire.

**Mad Ad** · 07-15-2005, 08:49 AM

speaker wires can be thought of as audio power wires whereas in comparison the rcas are low power signal lines.

**GreenBeast** · 07-15-2005, 08:55 AM

ok ok...i wasn't getting at you. i am in no way a pro installer i just thought it didn't sound right
surely if you can run everything separately with little additional work it would be best yes/no?
in fact in my case it was better becasue the 4awg wire wouldn't have fit down the side very easily but does down the middle

yeah i get that before amplification its more susceptible to inteference

**michaelrj9** · 07-15-2005, 09:14 AM

Thanks for all the help...
1 more question...
What side should I run all the computer cables on?(vga,usb,serial,keyboard,mouse) etc....

Thanks

**RedGTiVR6** · 07-15-2005, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by GreenBeast

surely if you can run everything separately with little additional work it would be best yes/no?

when you are in it to make money and the way you make money is to install as many cars possible in a day, taking that extra effort to run all the wires seperately in a car can cost you a lot of money. Especially when it won't make a lick of difference.

in fact in my case it was better becasue the 4awg wire wouldn't have fit down the side very easily but does down the middle

exactly....YOUR case

but even here I would beg to differ...as I have two 1/0 wires run down the drivers side, along side the factory wire, all tucked up nice and neat and out of the way, and even run UNDER the seat mount...and we both have MKIV VWs

**RedGTiVR6** · 07-15-2005, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by michaelrj9

Thanks for all the help...
1 more question...
What side should I run all the computer cables on?(vga,usb,serial,keyboard,mouse) etc....

Thanks

run them away from everything else if possible. Remember, there is also the center of the car as well....granted you might have to pull the seats and the carpet, but no one ever said that doing it right was doing it the easy way.

If you can't do that then I would shield the heck outta all of that stuff for sure...wouldn't hurt to do it anyways IMO

**GreenBeast** · 07-15-2005, 10:21 AM

i don't understand why you beg to differ? your power cables are run under the seat...so are mine just on the passenger side.

i wasn't trying to make out that my way was the only way or that he should definately do it that way, but it worked for me and if a forum isn't a collection of opnions and experiences then i don't know what it is

for example someone might search for running cables in a golf and find this and that might just help them decide what to do. you see?