Laying cable :)

[Dyldo]

Howdy all

I am trying to plan my future install of a very basic stereo install into my Bora. My plans at this stage include:-
Head Unit - most likely Alpine
Amp(s) to power cabin speakers and Sub - this depends how big i go for power requirements, bridging, etc. Brand can be anything.
One sub in a ported box in the boot as the Bora's boot is easily big enough for something good. Brand can be anything.
Admittedly the cabin speakers are great as they are, but if i am doing an install i figure replace them. Probably with Alpine DD drives all round.
Dynamatt sheeting and Dynaxorb reflector panels will definitely be going in. I plan on doing the floorpan (if needed) and the speaker areas and sub box.

Now, with my system being pretty straight forward and my goals being clarity and enjoyment rather than winning a contest on loudness, my question relates to wiring. Particularly the idea of taking seats and trim and carpet off to do the install.
a) Is this relatively easy or are there areas in the Bora that are majorly annoying?
b) Do i need anything special in terms of skills or tools to lay cables from the HU all the way along the body and then into the speakers and the boot for the subs?
c) Particular mounting spots that work well for subs and amps.

As always, the collective knowledge of the forums is appreciated.

[dylan8]

i did a headunit, amp and sub in boot, ran the cable etc.
Its all pretty easy (and my dad and i had never touched a car audi system before.
My tips are (although this is what we found best, other may disagree) do it stage at a time, make sure it all works before going to the next stage. dont mount your amps on the underside of the parcel shelf (mine rattled like mad after a month or so).
and take your time. other then that its all pretty simple! Good luck and post some pics if you can.

[Dyldo]

where did you run your cables from the HU to the boot? along the transmission tunnel? down one side?

[Silver dub]

if you were sitting in your car this is how i ran mine,

I ran all my left speaker cables from amps down left side, all right speakers cables from amp down right side, power down left side, speaker outputs from head unit to amps down center of car, remote wire down right side and i think the rca cables are down the right,

[Dyldo]

if you were sitting in your car this is how i ran mine,

I ran all my left speaker cables from amps down left side, all right speakers cables from amp down right side, power down left side, speaker outputs from head unit to amps down center of car, remote wire down right side and i think the rca cables are down the right,

didn't happen to capture it with piccies?

i am relatively ok with this stuff, so give or take how many hours did it take (assuming you have all the AV goodies and tools and cables)

[h100vw]

The general rule is not to run power and signal wiring together as you can get inductive interference.

Gavin

[Dyldo]

The general rule is not to run power and signal wiring together as you can get inductive interference.

Gavin

so can i assume that by keeping power cables on one side of the tunnel and the signals on the other it should be ok? or you need more room?

[h100vw]

Opposite sides of the tunnel would be ok. If you were doing it for points and sound offs, it would be opposite sides of the car.

Any time you have power going down a wire there's an electromagnetic field surrounding the cable. Put another cable parallel within that field and electricity will be induced in it.

Crossing cable at 90 degrees reduces the inductive coupling to practically nothing.

Earthing is critical too. Best to take all your earths back to one point rather than earthing everything through the body.

Using wire that can't handle the current and then not fusing it close to the power source is the biggest misdemeanour.

Gavin

[Dyldo]

TYVM for the advice as i am always keen to learn and do the work myself

[dylan8]

where did you run your cables from the HU to the boot? along the transmission tunnel? down one side?

Under the door sill, up under the plastic cover next to the rear seats, and up between the two layers of parcel shelf. Ran power down one side (passenger i think... as its on the battery side) and signal wiring down the other.

[Silver dub]

sorry mate didn't get an pics of laying the cables, i did mine over about 3 or 4 night doing a couple of hours each night, but i spent the time and ran them neat and secured them all properly.

I ran my power cable low, kind of under the carpet and ran my speaker cables up high under all the plastic sills, so they were away from each other and i have never had any problems. A mate of mine is a fairly top installer and is now high up in clarion and this is how he told me too do it, and this how he did all of his installs.

But each to their own on where to run them.