E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > AUDIO/VIDEO + BLUETOOTH + Electronics/Alarm/Software > Shielded rca wiring



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-16-2013, 07:29 AM   #1
afsar
Lieutenant
United Kingdom
38
Rep
405
Posts

Drives: BMW X5 xDrive40d
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: London

iTrader: (2)

Shielded rca wiring

If you want to have shielded rca hu to amp cable for your wiring to mitigate any noise then where do you guys connect shield to? Ground at both the ends? or leave it disconnected?
__________________
650i F12 - HUD, 6WA, SLI, Logic 7, Dynamic and Adaptive Drive, Comfort Access, Soft-close, top-view,
Previous X5 40d M Sports and 535d LCI
Appreciate 0
      05-16-2013, 06:42 PM   #2
alexwhittemore
Lieutenant Colonel
116
Rep
1,951
Posts

Drives: 2009 Crimson 328i
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by afsar View Post
If you want to have shielded rca hu to amp cable for your wiring to mitigate any noise then where do you guys connect shield to? Ground at both the ends? or leave it disconnected?
Chassis ground, and connect only at one end (probably the originating end is best).

That said, it's probably pretty pointless with fully differential twisted pairs, as in the OEM wiring. The only noise I've ever heard is some engine squeal, and that's only at super high volume (listening to quiet talk radio from the iPhone) and it wouldn't be helped by shielding.

And that's with an iPhone running LTE full blast, sometimes many at various locations in the car (passengers). If anything were going to cause noise that could be mitigated by shielding, it'd be cell phones.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      05-16-2013, 07:37 PM   #3
ctuna
Lieutenant General
2045
Rep
13,364
Posts

Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Santa Cruz, Ca

iTrader: (0)

There is no problem with the twisted pair setup

There is no problem with the twisted pair setup.
Its designed to suppress noise .
If you have an amp or processor that accepts the signal you shouldn't
have a problem .
The problems I have seen on noise here generally are a bad grounds, bad head unit ,or
non compatible amp and gains set wrong.
If you have and RCA connected to a radio output the shield
is a live signal.
The Jl audio amps auto detect this and use the signal accordingly.
Appreciate 0
      05-17-2013, 10:06 AM   #4
afsar
Lieutenant
United Kingdom
38
Rep
405
Posts

Drives: BMW X5 xDrive40d
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: London

iTrader: (2)

In my case output is BMW CIC in hifi coding, I am in process of tidying up the wiring a bit so got rid of old transparent ones (it was different requirement then) and laying new wires, now since they are brand new wiring I thought I would go for shielded ones, also the signal is low level so doesn't need thick gauge wiring.

Normally for shields cic gives dedicated pins (like for all fbas signal) so was wondering where can I connect newly laid cable's shield. Thanks for the answer guys, I would club them all up and connect to the cic chassis, better then leaving then dangling.
__________________
650i F12 - HUD, 6WA, SLI, Logic 7, Dynamic and Adaptive Drive, Comfort Access, Soft-close, top-view,
Previous X5 40d M Sports and 535d LCI
Appreciate 0
      05-17-2013, 11:11 AM   #5
makkan00
Major General
makkan00's Avatar
United Kingdom
896
Rep
9,105
Posts

Drives: F83 and F36
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Essex

iTrader: (56)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ctuna View Post
There is no problem with the twisted pair setup.
Its designed to suppress noise .
If you have an amp or processor that accepts the signal you shouldn't
have a problem .
The problems I have seen on noise here generally are a bad grounds, bad head unit ,or
non compatible amp and gains set wrong.
If you have and RCA connected to a radio output the shield
is a live signal.
The Jl audio amps auto detect this and use the signal accordingly.
What he said
__________________
F36 Xdrive for her - HUD, park assist, heated steering wheel, rear camera, Apple car play
F36 RWD for him - HK, M sports pack, GTS tail light, Apple car play
Appreciate 0
      05-17-2013, 11:12 AM   #6
makkan00
Major General
makkan00's Avatar
United Kingdom
896
Rep
9,105
Posts

Drives: F83 and F36
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Essex

iTrader: (56)

Quote:
Originally Posted by afsar View Post
In my case output is BMW CIC in hifi coding, I am in process of tidying up the wiring a bit so got rid of old transparent ones (it was different requirement then) and laying new wires, now since they are brand new wiring I thought I would go for shielded ones, also the signal is low level so doesn't need thick gauge wiring.

Normally for shields cic gives dedicated pins (like for all fbas signal) so was wondering where can I connect newly laid cable's shield. Thanks for the answer guys, I would club them all up and connect to the cic chassis, better then leaving then dangling.
If
- your amp accepts differential balanced input
- you are using shielded twisted pairs
- coded to hi-fi
- not using LOC
- Proper earth

then you should not have any noise.

You do not need to earth anything. Cure the things only, if you have problems.
__________________
F36 Xdrive for her - HUD, park assist, heated steering wheel, rear camera, Apple car play
F36 RWD for him - HK, M sports pack, GTS tail light, Apple car play
Appreciate 0
      05-17-2013, 11:22 AM   #7
ctuna
Lieutenant General
2045
Rep
13,364
Posts

Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Santa Cruz, Ca

iTrader: (0)

If you extend the RCA cable with balanced signals

If you extend the RCA cable with balanced signals
do not allow the shields to touch each other as they are live seperate signals.
It would be a good to insulate them with some tape .
Some RCA extension cables have insulated shields some don't.
Appreciate 0
      05-17-2013, 03:05 PM   #8
taibanl
Brigadier General
taibanl's Avatar
281
Rep
4,121
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NA

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by afsar
In my case output is BMW CIC in hifi coding, I am in process of tidying up the wiring a bit so got rid of old transparent ones (it was different requirement then) and laying new wires, now since they are brand new wiring I thought I would go for shielded ones, also the signal is low level so doesn't need thick gauge wiring.

Normally for shields cic gives dedicated pins (like for all fbas signal) so was wondering where can I connect newly laid cable's shield. Thanks for the answer guys, I would club them all up and connect to the cic chassis, better then leaving then dangling.
Are u wiring from front or only from amp area
Appreciate 0
      05-17-2013, 06:00 PM   #9
afsar
Lieutenant
United Kingdom
38
Rep
405
Posts

Drives: BMW X5 xDrive40d
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: London

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by taibanl View Post
Are u wiring from front or only from amp area
All the way from CIC to the boot mounted MS-8.
__________________
650i F12 - HUD, 6WA, SLI, Logic 7, Dynamic and Adaptive Drive, Comfort Access, Soft-close, top-view,
Previous X5 40d M Sports and 535d LCI
Appreciate 0
      05-17-2013, 06:55 PM   #10
Technic
Lieutenant General
Technic's Avatar
2472
Rep
13,132
Posts

Drives: 2025 Countryman S, 2024 i4 M50
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida

iTrader: (18)

Quote:
Originally Posted by afsar View Post
If you want to have shielded rca hu to amp cable for your wiring to mitigate any noise then where do you guys connect shield to? Ground at both the ends? or leave it disconnected?
No need for any shielding with HiFi:

Appreciate 0
      05-17-2013, 07:55 PM   #11
taibanl
Brigadier General
taibanl's Avatar
281
Rep
4,121
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NA

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by afsar View Post
All the way from CIC to the boot mounted MS-8.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
No need for any shielding with HiFi:
For what its worth. I have been working on my noise issue with VP-Electricity and we suspect I am picking up noise along the harness run due to lack of twisted pair in the technic harness.

If you run twisted pair RCA you should be ok.
Appreciate 0
      05-18-2013, 05:50 AM   #12
makkan00
Major General
makkan00's Avatar
United Kingdom
896
Rep
9,105
Posts

Drives: F83 and F36
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Essex

iTrader: (56)

What he said.
I ran normal wires in my first upgrade with hi-fi coded hu and picked up noise.
So I ran shielded + twisted pair of rca in 2nd upgrade and never had any issues since then.
__________________
F36 Xdrive for her - HUD, park assist, heated steering wheel, rear camera, Apple car play
F36 RWD for him - HK, M sports pack, GTS tail light, Apple car play
Appreciate 0
      05-19-2013, 03:28 AM   #13
afsar
Lieutenant
United Kingdom
38
Rep
405
Posts

Drives: BMW X5 xDrive40d
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: London

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by makkan00 View Post
What he said.
I ran normal wires in my first upgrade with hi-fi coded hu and picked up noise.
So I ran shielded + twisted pair of rca in 2nd upgrade and never had any issues since then.
Exactly, previously I had "stereo" coded going directly into amp thru loc and massive irritating alternate whine was the result. Ground was all good as far as I could see. Now I want to avoid that situation again.

Btw. does all shielded wire come as twisted pair inside, what sort of guage wires do you guys go for and with what kind of sheild (braided metal or foil)
__________________
650i F12 - HUD, 6WA, SLI, Logic 7, Dynamic and Adaptive Drive, Comfort Access, Soft-close, top-view,
Previous X5 40d M Sports and 535d LCI
Appreciate 0
      05-19-2013, 04:16 AM   #14
makkan00
Major General
makkan00's Avatar
United Kingdom
896
Rep
9,105
Posts

Drives: F83 and F36
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Essex

iTrader: (56)

Afsar
Not all of them are twisted pairs and shielded.
I have used different brands on my car and I prefer;
1- Audison twisted / shielded (£25)
2- Knukonceptz twisted / shielded (£20 delivere)

Actually few days ago I sold 4 channel Knukonceptz at a bargain price. I guess you hardly visit UK classified.

There are cheaper stuff out there but would not go for them.
__________________
F36 Xdrive for her - HUD, park assist, heated steering wheel, rear camera, Apple car play
F36 RWD for him - HK, M sports pack, GTS tail light, Apple car play
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2013, 11:59 AM   #15
taibanl
Brigadier General
taibanl's Avatar
281
Rep
4,121
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NA

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by makkan00
Afsar
Not all of them are twisted pairs and shielded.
I have used different brands on my car and I prefer;
1- Audison twisted / shielded (£25)
2- Knukonceptz twisted / shielded (£20 delivere)

Actually few days ago I sold 4 channel Knukonceptz at a bargain price. I guess you hardly visit UK classified.

There are cheaper stuff out there but would not go for them.
Isn't ordinary non-shielded twisted pair sufficient?
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2013, 03:30 PM   #16
makkan00
Major General
makkan00's Avatar
United Kingdom
896
Rep
9,105
Posts

Drives: F83 and F36
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Essex

iTrader: (56)

Not sure about your side of the continent but here in Uk, there is not a lot of difference in the price of both, so opted for shielded.
Shielded gives it another level of protection from any interference.

From different experiments, I have noticed that sub frequencies are least likely to pick any noise.
Since I am running 4 way active system, therefore I selected 4 different pairs of rcas.
One is Audison, two different types of knoukonceptz, and ordinary untwisted pair.
Last is used for sub frequencies.
All the installation which I do, I run a track of black noise to make sure there is 0% noise in the sound system.
So far it has worked 100%.
__________________
F36 Xdrive for her - HUD, park assist, heated steering wheel, rear camera, Apple car play
F36 RWD for him - HK, M sports pack, GTS tail light, Apple car play
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:40 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST