Did I F-up my RCA wire run?

[phenryiv1 10+ year member]

I have a Pioneer DEH-P580MH headunit with sub output through a 3rd set of RCAs. I will be running a 4 channel amp with 2 channels bridged to a sub and 2 in stereo to the front stage.

Okay, here is where I thought that I'd get all crafty. I used a 3 Channel RCA to the trunk (from home audio) to cover the 3 channels of output that I woudl have.

I cannot figure out whether or not I can make the HU's sub output mono (thus combining the L&R channels). As of right now, it seems like my mono sub is only hitting in conjunction with one side of the car- L or R, depending on where I have the RCA-out plugged in.

I have several questions-

1. Does anyone know whether I can sum the RCA output WITHIN the HU so that the signal sent through EITHER channel of the sub output has the same (summed) signal?

2. If not, can I run "Y" cables from both channels of the sub out into the single RCA run and then "Y" it back out to both channels at the amp? Or will this short something out?

3. Am I just an idiot who needs to run another RCA cable to the rear and be done with it?

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[pboulos 10+ year member]

not exactly sure but what i would do if i was you would be to purchase 2 of these - http://cgi.ebay.com/STREETWIRES-ZN2-0-Zero-Noise-1F-2M-RCA-Y-Adapter-Cable_W0QQitemZ290067751434QQihZ019QQcategoryZ32809QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem - and plug the male ends into the sub out on your headunit and plug one of your 3-channel rca's into the other end of the splitter (while the remaining 2 from your 3-channel's will go into the front output from your HU assuming that you will be using half of your amp to power your front speakers). then i would take that 3rd cable from your 3-channel's that was connected to the splitter at the headunit and split it again at the amp

 

[Trey803 5,000+ posts]

I thihnk your problem is that you need 3 sets of RCA cables...not a 3 channel rca cable

 

[pboulos 10+ year member]

I thihnk your problem is that you need 3 sets of RCA cables...not a 3 channel rca cable

i think he would only need 2 sets... 1 for the front output and one from the sub-out

 

[Trey803 5,000+ posts]

I think what he is using is an RCA with white red an yellow(for a video) and he is trying to make this work. You need to go buy some different RCA cables. But yea do what the guy above said. You need to go and buy 2 sets of RCA cables that only have 2 wires one for left and one for right.

 

[phenryiv1 10+ year member]

not exactly sure but what i would do if i was you would be to purchase 2 of these - http://cgi.ebay.com/STREETWIRES-ZN2-0-Zero-Noise-1F-2M-RCA-Y-Adapter-Cable_W0QQitemZ290067751434QQihZ019QQcategoryZ32809QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem - and plug the male ends into the sub out on your headunit and plug one of your 3-channel rca's into the other end of the splitter (while the remaining 2 from your 3-channel's will go into the front output from your HU assuming that you will be using half of your amp to power your front speakers). then i would take that 3rd cable from your 3-channel's that was connected to the splitter at the headunit and split it again at the amp

Those are exactly what I was considering using, and what I was asking. At least I was (theorhetically) on the right track.

Will summing the RCA outs potentially cause a short in either the HU OR the amp on the receiving end?

I thihnk your problem is that you need 3 sets of RCA cables...not a 3 channel rca cable

i think he would only need 2 sets... 1 for the front output and one from the sub-out

Correct- I only need 2 sets.

I think what he is using is an RCA with white red an yellow(for a video) and he is trying to make this work. You need to go buy some different RCA cables. But yea do what the guy above said. You need to go and buy 2 sets of RCA cables that only have 2 wires one for left and one for right.

That is what I have used- a R/W/Y home theater cable. I had a brain fart when I bought it, thinking I was being all smart and saving me one cable run. I actually HAVE 3 or 4 sets of "regualr" stereo cables, but I was trying to cut down on the number of wires running through. I kept thinking that since the sub would be mono (only one sub) that I only need one cable. unfortunately, that ONLY works if the signal that I send to the amp is already summed into the single channel.

If I can sum the channel through the use of 2 pigtails, I will do that. I THINK that the amp can accept a mono input when run in bridged mode, so I MAY only need a pigtail on the source end. I am calling Pioneer today to see if there is a way to configure the output on the 580 so that it sends identical signals through both sub channels. if it can do this, then all will be well with the world.

Thanks for the help so far. if anyone has any information on the question that I put in bold above, I woudl appreciate it. Thanks! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[phenryiv1 10+ year member]

By the way, Trey- I like your setup. Good, solid parts, and a great vehicle. Do 2 10"s overpower you in that small of a cabin?

 

[phenryiv1 10+ year member]

Well, I caved and called Pioneer. Despite the tech being thuroughtly confused about what I was asking (at first), I think that I got the point across to him.

Verdict: I cannot sum the output electronically, but I CAN use a 2M to 1F "Y" on the HU end and run it to the mono input on the amp end.

I believe that the word is............./thread. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[wesl56 10+ year member]

hm i think i remember trying to do something like that when i was a kid... (sum 2 channels into 1 with a Y adapter) it didnt short anything out, so if you like it like that then kool g

 

[phenryiv1 10+ year member]

hm i think i remember trying to do something like that when i was a kid... (sum 2 channels into 1 with a Y adapter) it didnt short anything out, so if you like it like that then kool g

It is not that I like jerry-rigging things- it is just that I only need a summed signal to my sub, so if it works, I'll run w/ it.