Custom RCA Cables

[green4WDmonster]

So I'm in a unique situation. Normally, I find myself coming up several inches short when it comes to wiring, but this time i really only need a few inches total. I have an Panasonic in-dash DVD player. the headunit comes with an auxillary box that allows me to easily hook up other video inputs/outputs as well as inputs for my iPod and an XM Radio. Well i've had XM before and wanted it again, so i got the special black box reciever for 23 bucks on Amazon.com of all places. I had mounted the headunit's auxillary box on the back of the center console (for easy access but still out of my sight) i decided to mount the XM box right on top of it with some double-sided tape. Now the headunit came with a special 3 inch video cable to run the video display signal of the XM reciever to the DVD monitor (i knew this before mounting the XM box) however there was no RCA cable to connect the audio signal. They want me to buy some special cable for another 20 bucks, but i'm pretty sure any RCA cable will work. I can't seem to find an RCA cable less that 1.5 feet and i really only need about 4 inches since the connections are litterally right on top of each other. I hate extra wires laying around, especially at the feet of my back seat passangers. I want to know if it's possible to make my own RCA cables. Has anybody done this? any tips to offer? I'm pretty sure i could find the ends at Radioshack and i can always cut up one of my old cables just laying around. Is there anything special i need to do to make sure they work properly? Any help is greatly appreciate, thanx in advance!!!


-Todd

 

[shortstack]

yes a typical rca cable should work as long as its able to plug in. you could just wrap up the exsta few feet and sip tie it and try and hide it. or if u wanna do some work

1. carefully splice the first layer

2. move the wires out of the way so you can splice the next layer

3. carefully splice the next layer

4. this is what the final product looks it should look like

p.s. make sure u make enough wire to connect them back together when u get the desired length. MAKE SURE THEIR NOT TOUCHING. connect the outside one with the other outside and inside w/inside. you could solder but electrical tape would work just as well.

i think this is what you were wanting. let me know how everything goes

 

[Exploderpilot]

you know what man, pm me your address, give me an exact length, and i'll make you one......

 

[green4WDmonster]

you know what man, pm me your address, give me an exact length, and i'll make you one......

Gimme a couple days to attempt one myself. If i manage to booger it up, i'll PM you. I appreciate the offer!!!

 

[jimbo74]

there are special tools you can buy to build your own, it really simplifies it. however, they can usually be cost prohibitive unless you plan on making a lot of cuustom wires... just an idea to look into though

 

[Exploderpilot]

yeah i was an avionics tech in the navy, as well as a miniature electronics tech for a few years, so i have those tools.

 

[Charlie]

You can buy ends at radio shack really cheap, and then you just screw or solder on wires from speaker wire in. Its really easy to do.

Like this:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...A)+plugs+&+jacks&fbc=1&parentPage=family

 

[shortstack]

i though my ways was the best you shouldn't have to buy anything but oh well:

 

[green4WDmonster]

Alright, so i thought it would be a couple days before i could try this, but i did it cuz i just couldn't wait. it was so simple! i recommend everybody cut thier RCA cables to length. I've got some pics of the final results. I had to do it twice because the first time the length of the cord was 8 inches. the final lenth of the entire cord was 3.5 inches and it fits perfect!!! Oh yea, and it works too!!! Here's some pics of the final product and it installed ( this is my first time posting pics so if they don't work, tell me how to fix it.)

Here's the final product....total of 3.5 inches...

you can see the red and white RCA cable, the all black cable is the video signal, and that white one is for my iPod hook up


Maybe somebody should make this a sticky???

 

[shortstack]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ i dont see any pics

 

[jimbo74]

 

[jimbo74]

i dont know what was wrong with your links, but you had too much in them... they had 2 urls each... and that doesnt work..... but cardomain is wierd... its liek they assigned the attachment off the main link... so anyways.....

 

[green4WDmonster]

THANKS JIMBO!

I'll keep that in mind next time i try to post pics off of that site.

i fixed my original post, so you can delete the extra pics.