Shortening RCA cables

(trickyboarder08)

I have a few sets of RCA cables that I have saved from past systems, I was wondering if it is ok to shorten the RCA cables by cutting them and splicing them back together. I know some wires are not supposed to be spliced, so I was wondering if there would be anything wrong with shortening the RCA cables. I have a few 8ft cables and only need them to be about 1 or 2 feet.

(olskooltige) · (olskooltige) **Join Date: Mar 2007** 03-10-2008, 10:48 AM

Nothing wrong at all. Be sure to leave some strain relief.

(Message edited by olSkoolTige on March 10, 2008)

(trickyboarder08)

Thanks, that makes my life a little easier.

(timmy) · (timmy) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 03-10-2008, 10:53 AM

I would recommend cutting them shorter then putting new connectors on rather than splicing them

(Message edited by timmy on March 10, 2008)

(trickyboarder08)

do they sale just the connectors at hardware stores?

(hal2814) · (hal2814) **Join Date: Feb 2006** 03-10-2008, 11:04 AM

You should be able to pick some up at Radio Shack. Sadly, whoever is working the counter these days is a cell phone salesman instead of someone familiar with electronics so you may have to hunt them down yourself. I found them near the Molex connectors in my store. Seems like they'd put them closer to the speaker wires...

(timmy) · (timmy) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 03-10-2008, 11:06 AM

you can get usable connectors at radio shack, otherwise you can probably get better connectors from a car stereo shop.

The main problem with splicing a coaxial cable is that you lose the shielding at the spot where you spliced them. There are probably other issues that it could introduce but that is beyond my knowlege base, and I'd have to do some research to figure it out.

(olskooltige) · (olskooltige) **Join Date: Mar 2007** 03-10-2008, 11:45 AM

Yeah....I should have clarified same as everyone else. Don't splice them, just cut them to length and put new ends on. RS actually has some pretty good ones that are not in a drawer but rather on a rack.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104066&cp=2032058.2032231.203 2280&cp=2032058.2032231&fbn=Price%2FUnder+%243.99& f=Taxonomy%2FRSK%2F2032280&fbc=1&categoryId=203228 0&fr=StorePrice%2FRSK%2F00000000%2F00000399&kwCatI d=2032058&kw=rca&parentPage=search

For good info on how to solder them properly, go to bcae1.com
http://www.bcae1.com/rcacable.htm

(Message edited by olSkoolTige on March 10, 2008)

(trickyboarder08)

thanks, just checked and my store has them in stop. Will stop by and get them after work.