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Product Spotlight: Thinkware Q200 Dash Camera

Thinkware Q200

Consumers typically have two schools of thought when it comes to dash cameras. Some want the most advanced technology and highest-resolution image sensors available. Others believe that any dash camera system is exponentially better than none. Sadly, the latter concept often leads to people buying low-quality, unreliable solutions. Sitting between these philosophies is the Thinkware Q200 dash camera system. With 2K QHD image quality on the front, 1080P FHD image quality on the rear, intelligent parking modes, and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, this affordable system is anything but run-of-the-mill. It even includes a 32 GB microSD card! Let’s check it out!

Thinkware Q200 Front and Rear Camera System

The Thinkware Q200 dash camera system is based around the compact (3.9 x 0.9 x 1.3 inches) forward-facing camera with its Quad-HD (2506 x 1440-pixel) image sensor. The camera has a 125-degree field of view, offering a good balance of forward focus and side-approach monitoring. Videos are recorded in HEVC format using the H.264 codec to keep the file sizes manageable. As mentioned, the system includes a UHS-1 32 GB memory card but can accept cards up to 256 GB in capacity for over 800 minutes of storage.

Thinkware Q200
The included GPS receiver captures both location and speed information.

The camera includes several video processing technologies to help improve image quality. First, Super Night Vision 2.0 helps ensure clear, low-noise images in low-light situations, capturing details like license plates or street signs when it’s dark. Advanced Video Clear Technology includes High Dynamic Range (HDR) capture technology that compresses washed-out highlights while boosting information usually lost in the shadows. Smart focusing and intelligent auto exposure enhance the system’s ability to store clear, sharp videos. Finally, de-warping technology reduces barrel distortion so objects at the extreme edges of the video don’t look misshapen.

Thinkware Q200
Features like Super Night Vision 2.0 dramatically improve performance in low light levels.

The camera body has three connection ports: one connection is on top of the chassis for the power source, while one on the side is for the rear camera and one for the GPS receiver. The buttons on the rear panel activate the manual recording mode, and another provides control options for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. You can use Wi-Fi with the free Thinkware Dash Cam Link application to download videos directly from the camera. Alternatively, you can remove the microSD card from the bottom of the chassis and use the PC viewer software to view video files.

Thinkware Q200
The compact Q200 dash camera fits neatly beside your rear-view mirror and captures everything that happens in front of the vehicle while you drive.

Rear and Optional Cameras

The rear camera included with the Q200 Front and Rear kit is even more compact (2.40 x 1.20 x 0.98 inches) and captures video in full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels). It shares the same 125-degree field of vision as the front camera and records at 30 frames per second. A 19.7-foot cable lets your installer connect the rear camera to the front camera.

Thinkware Q200
Your installer can mount the included rear camera in the back window to monitor drivers approaching from behind.

Another option is the infrared interior camera from Thinkware. This compact camera (part number TWA-NIFR) is ideal for taxi, limousine, and rideshare applications where recording what happens and what’s said inside the vehicle is important. The camera includes two compact infrared transmitters so it can effectively see in the dark.

Thinkware Q200
The optional infrared interior camera is ideal for taxis, limousines, Uber and Lyft drivers.

The Q200 is compatible with the optional multiplexer box. With this option, your installer can add three additional cameras to the system, bringing the total to five. The four cameras connected to the multiplexer combine their images into a single video feed that records on the rear channel of the Q200. Side-view and infrared interior cameras are just some options available for additional cameras.

Thinkware Q200
Thinkware offers several multiplexer bundles to add three cameras to the Q200.

Parking Mode

For those not up-to-date with dash camera lingo, the parking mode feature allows the camera to continue capturing what’s happening around your car when it’s parked. Depending on where you park, you can work with your installer to choose between two frame-per-second Time Lapse, Energy Saving, and Motion/Impact Detection options. In Motion and Impact mode, the camera monitors the image sensor for changes that indicate something or someone has entered the field of vision. When this happens, it stores a video file with 10 seconds of footage before and after the trigger. The built-in three-axis accelerometer also monitors the vehicle for motion from an impact, which triggers a similar recording.

Energy-saving mode foregoes image sensing, dramatically reducing the electrical energy required to maintain camera operation. This mode is ideal for longer-term parking recording.

Thinkware Q200
Parking mode will monitor what happens around your vehicle in the driveway or a garage.

Built-In ADAS Features

The Q200 is no slouch when it comes to bonus features. The camera includes Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in the form of Lane Departure Warning (LDWS), Forward Collision Warning (FCWS), and Front Vehicle Departure Warning (FVDW). These systems use artificial intelligence and advanced image processing to detect potential hazards and provide a warning to the driver. The GPS antenna must be installed for these features to function.

Protect Yourself with the Thinkware Q200

As is evident, the Thinkware Q200 dash camera system is exponentially more capable than most solutions you’ll find outside a professional mobile enhancement retailer. If you want premium image quality in the videos, advanced ADAS warnings, and easy Wi-Fi downloading, drop by your local Thinkware retailer and ask about the Q200 system. They can provide a package price for the dual camera system with expert installation to ensure reliable operation.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Automotive Battery Science: How Batteries Work

Automotive BatteryYour automotive battery is one of the most important, and most often overlooked, electrical components in your vehicle. If your battery is not in good condition, you can be stranded, and other components in your vehicle may be damaged. This article discusses how batteries work and how to take care of them.

What is Inside an Automotive Battery?

Automotive BatteryInside a typical car battery are six smaller energy-producing components called cells. Each cell contains a series of electrodes or plates. The positive plate of the battery is lead [eroxide (PbO2). The negative plates of the battery are pure lead in a soft, sponge-like state. The plates within each cell are arranged in alternating layers for a total of 16 components. All of the positive plates in a cell are wired in parallel, as are all of the negative plates.

Each cell produces roughly 2 volts of electricity. The six individual cells are wired in series with one another so the voltage generated by each cell adds together. The result is 12 volts.

Are You Ready for the Chemistry?

A diluted solution of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) surrounds the plates. The ratio of acid to water (H2O) is typically in the region of three parts of water to one part of acid.

When we connect a load to the external terminals of the battery, a chemical reaction starts to take place. Our diluted sulfuric acid mixture comprises H2SO4 and water (H20). As the reaction commences, the sulfuric acid splits into positive hydrogen ions (2H) and negative sulfate Ions (SO4).

Automotive BatteryWhen the hydrogen ions reach the lead peroxide plate, they absorb electronics from it and become a hydrogen atom. This process attacks the lead peroxide to produce lead oxide (PbO) and water (H2O). The lead oxide reacts with the sulfuric acid to form lead sulfate (Pb SO4) and water (H2O).

Negative sulfate ions move freely within the solution. As they reach the pure lead plate, they give up their extra electron and become what is known as a radical sulfate. As a radical sulfate cannot exist on its own, it will attack the pure lead plate to produce lead sulfate (PbSO4).

The action of positive hydrogen ions taking electrons from the lead peroxide plate, and the negative sulfate ions giving electrons to the pure lead plate produce an electron imbalance. These electrons flow through the external load to try and balance themselves. This process is how the battery provides power to our load (light, amplifier, heater or computer).

The Chemistry behind Battery Charging

Automotive BatteryWhen we apply an external DC source to the battery, we reverse the process. An external DC source such as an alternator or a battery charger feeds electrons to our positive lead sulfate-covered lead peroxide plate and the negative lead peroxide-covered lead plate. During the charging process, the density of the sulfuric acid solution falls, but we still have positive hydrogen ions and negative sulfate ions.

The positively charged hydrogen Ions more toward the negative terminal of the external DC source. Each hydrogen ion takes one electron from the negative plate to become a hydrogen atom. These hydrogen atoms attack the lead sulfate to produce lead and sulfuric acid.

The negative sulfate ions move toward the positively charged plate. When they get there, they give up their extra electron to become radical sulfates. This radical sulfate reacts with the lead sulfate, and forms lead peroxide and sulfuric acid.

We Can Simplify that a Lot!

In a nutshell, the negative terminal of a lead-acid battery has an over-abundance of electrons. When you connect a load to the battery, the electrons scramble through the load to get to the positive terminal. This electron flow is what allows the battery to provide energy to do work.

When we apply a voltage to the battery that is higher than its resting voltage the electron flow reverses. The sulfate layers on the plates are converted back to lead and sulfuric acid.

Battery Charging: Calm Down – What’s the Rush?

About the worst thing you can do to a car battery is to rush the charging process. If you rush the recharging chemical reaction, the lead sulfate will heat up and adhere permanently to the lead and lead peroxide plates. Once it is stuck there, we can no longer use that area of the plate to flow electrons, and we have reduced the effective size of the battery.

Automotive BatteryYou probably have heard the expression “a battery is never the same after it has been killed.” This statement is very true if the battery is not charged gently and thoroughly.

When you want to recharge your battery properly, keeping the process slow will allow the chemical reaction to take place at a controlled rate. If you are using a high-quality, computer-controlled charger (and you should be!) there are two major charging stages. The first stage is called bulk charging. The charger will maintain a constant current flow to the battery by adjusting the applied voltage.

How do you know if you are charging a care battery too quickly? Standard flooded batteries should not exceed roughly 120 degrees Fahrenheit during charging. We suggest that slower and cooler is always better. An absorbed glass mat (AGM) or gel battery should not exceed 100 degrees.

Once approximately 80% of the used energy has been returned to the battery, the charger will switch to the absorption stage. At that stage, the charger provides a constant voltage to the battery and the current flow diminishes as the battery reaches full charge.

How to Calculate Maximum Battery Charging Rates

A relatively large car battery may have a capacity of 70 or 80 amp-hours. This specification means that under ideal conditions, you can draw 1 amp of current from the battery for 70 or 80 hours. After that time, the battery will be considered dead.

To find the ideal charging rate for our 70 amp-hour battery, we divide this specification by 10 to get seven amps. The battery should be able to accept 7 amps of charging current without overheating. It is worth noting that, if the battery is completely discharged, it will take 10 hours to charge it. Remember, slower is better when it comes to charging batteries.

Taking Care of Your Car Battery

Automotive Battery
The CTEK charger is a great charger to keep your battery operating at its potential.

Some of us who are more fanatical about the care and maintenance of our car batteries will connect them to intelligent battery chargers several times a year. One rule of thumb is to charge your battery fully after each oil change, or four times a year. You should increase this frequency if you make short trips that do not provide adequate charging time. Likewise, time spent playing your audio system with the engine off can drain a battery very quickly. If you have been out with friends and your car battery has been depleted, put it on a high-quality charger overnight.

If you can access the acid solution in your battery, ensure that it is at the proper level, or at the very least, is covering the lead plates completely. A hydrometer should be used to confirm the specific gravity of the solution, but if it is low, adding distilled water is better than doing nothing. That little green “eye” included in some batteries is a hydrometer. When it disappears, the chemical balance within the battery is off and it needs to be charged.

Your local mobile electronics retailer may have a battery load tester that they use before every remote car starter they install. If you are concerned about the condition of your battery, ask them to check it. Being stranded due to a dead battery when the temperatures get cold is frustrating if you are trying to get home or to work.

Ensure the battery terminals and connections to your vehicle are clean and secure at all times. A loose connection can have a dramatic adverse effect on the functionality of your electrical system.

If you need a new battery, check with your local mobile enhancement retailer first. They often have extensive experience in upgrading batteries and can help you choose a solution that will ensure your car is ready to go every time you turn the key.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Product Spotlight: Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR

Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR

Imagine you are driving your side-by-side down a twisty, high-speed trail. You want to crank up the volume on your stereo. Do you take your hands off the wheel to make an adjustment? You don’t have to if you have the Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR universal remote control installed. Let’s check it out!

What is the Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR?

The PMX-BTUR is a remote designed to mount on the steering wheel of your side-by-side, boat, car, or truck. The remote pairs with your smartphone using Bluetooth and allows you to control the device. You can adjust the smartphone’s volume, change tracks, or even answer a phone call. When used with an iPhone, you can also fast-forward and pause what’s playing.

The remote is impressively compact, measuring only 2-3/4 inches tall, 1-7/8 inches wide, and 1-1/4 inches thick. Your installer can mount it on the dash or a center console using two-sided tape. The remote also comes with a heavy-duty Velcro strap and mounting adapter that allows it to be attached to the inside of your steering wheel. Best of all, there are no wires to run. The device is powered by an easily replaceable CR2032 coin cell.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR
The PMX-BTUR universal Bluetooth remote is small enough to fit in your pocket.

How Does the PMX-BTUR Work?

The PMX-BTUR is easy to configure and use. Once installed, press any button to wake the remote up. You can then search for PMX-BTUR in the list of available devices. Once selected, it will pair with your smartphone. The remote uses Bluetooth 4.0 to communicate commands to your phone. It uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) as only small digital commands are transmitted back to the phone. This communication method dramatically reduces power consumption and extends the battery’s life. Low Energy Bluetooth still provides up to 30 feet (10 meters) of range. As such, you can use your Polaris Ranger’s Rear Audio Cap to provide music for the entire campsite and control it all with the PMX-BTUR.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR
Are you on DJ duty with your Polaris Ranger? The PMX-BTUR remote is the perfect companion.

Durable Design for Long Life

Rockford Fosgate knows how crazy things can get in a side-by-side or after an evening of hanging out with friends by the campfire. The PMX-BTUR remote is IP67 rated, so it can be dropped in the water or get dusty without fear of failing. The materials used to construct the remote are designed to withstand prolonged UV and salt spray exposure.

Remote Control Adds Safety

The PMX-BTUR controls the operation of your phone, not a radio. As such, you can pair your phone with almost any radio brand and use this remote. It would be an excellent solution for a factory-installed or aftermarket motorcycle audio system mounted on the handlebar. You could even use the PMX-BTUR with a motorcycle helmet and built-in speakers.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR
The PMX-BTUR is an excellent solution for motorcycle and ATV applications.

Of course, if you are captaining a boat, then the PMX-BTUR adds instant convenience. Imagine being at the helm of a jet boat headed up the rapids. Keeping your hands on the wheel is crucial to ending the day with great stories instead of drama. The PMX-BTUR is a perfect solution!

Do you have an older car or truck without steering-wheel audio system controls? The PMX-BTUR is the perfect solution for controlling your phone. Stream music from a service like Pandora or Spotify, then use the remote to change tracks or adjust the volume.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-BTUR
Strap the PMX-BTUR to the steering wheel of your side-by-side or UTV and enjoy the ride.

Add Audio System Convenience Today

If you’re looking for a remote that works with most smartphones to provide volume, track selection, and let you answer a call, drop by a local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer today. You can find a shop near you using the online locator tool on their website. As always, be sure to follow our fanatical friends from Tempe on Facebook, Instagram, and, of course, YouTube.
This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Product Spotlight: PMX-1R Marine Remote

Rockford Fosgate PMX-1R

Installing a marine radio in your boat is the best way to improve your day on the water. If your boat has bow seating, a swim platform, a cuddy, or a full cabin, adding a wired remote to the source unit at the helm makes it easier to control the music. The marine audio experts at Rockford Fosgate offer several wired remote solutions to upgrade their marine multimedia receivers. Let’s check out the PMX-1R wired remote control.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-1R Design

The PMX-1R is a compact wired remote with a rotary encoder, eight buttons, and a 2.7-inch color display. Its functions mimic the controls on the PMX-2, PMX-3, and PMX-5CAN radios. The remote also works with the PMX-8BB and the older PMX-5 source unit.

The remote measures 4.2 inches in height, 4.5 inches wide, and only 2.5 inches deep. Its shallow depth makes it a popular choice for instrument clusters where space behind the mounting panel is an issue. In those applications, a source unit like the nearly identical-looking PMX-3 could be installed in the galley or nav station.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-1R
The PMX-1R doesn’t require much mounting depth, making it ideal for mounting in the hull of a boat.

The display features the same TFT wet-bonded design used in the PMX-3 source unit. This construction method allows for great visibility and vibrant colors in bright conditions.

At the center of the remote is a rotary encoder with a large knob that serves as the system volume control. The knob can be pushed to access additional functions. Speaking of additional functions, the eight rubber-coated buttons provide direct access to track or channel selection, source selection, and even dimmer control. Knowing how Rockford Fosgate fanatics think, dedicated SUB + and SUB – buttons provide direct access to adjust the subwoofer output. Things couldn’t be more intuitive.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-1R
The wet-bonded 2.7-inch color display is easy to read in harsh lighting conditions.

Remote Wiring and Installation Options

Your installer will find a multi-pin DIN connector on the remote’s rear. This plug connects to any Rockford Fosgate marine source units mentioned above using the PMX16C 16-foot, PMX25C 25-foot, or PMX50C 50-foot extension cables sold separately. Multiple remotes can be used with a single source unit with the addition of the PMXYC Y-cable. Rockford Fosgate marine radios will support up to three remotes and as much as 100 feet of cable in the installation. That’s not 100 feet per remote, by the way.

The remote mounts through a three-inch hole in whatever panel you choose. Your installer can clamp the remote with the aluminum support bracket. Alternatively, they can use the four stainless steel mounting screws to affix the remote from the front. A trim ring is provided to conceal the mounting hardware, giving the remote a clean and tidy appearance. A rubber seal ensures water won’t get into the boat through the mounting hole in either solution.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-1R
The PMX-1R includes several installation options to ensure reliable operation.

Element Ready™ Design

Crucially, all Rockford Fosgate marine source units and remotes feature their Element Ready™ design. Where most companies stop with weather resistance ratings like the IPX6 found on the front panel, things go several steps further with the PMX-1R and its brethren. The remotes are tested in a UV light exposure chamber, which mimics years of prolonged sun exposure. The materials and design must remain colorfast and not turn chalky, fade, or dry out. Further, salt fog testing ensures the radios and remotes can be used in saltwater without concern over corrosion.

Rockford Fosgate takes things even further with its vibration and impact testing. When crashing over the waves, your boat can experience impacts of well over 5 G’s, with emergency situations exceeding 7 G’s. All products carrying the Element Ready™ symbol are tested on a vibration bench to ensure the design and internal components can withstand these stresses. When the Product Specialist you are working with tells you that purchasing a Rockford Fosgate marine source unit and remote is an investment in quality, they have the proof to support that statement.

Unlimited Installation Applications

Aside from marine applications, recreational vehicles, motorhomes, travel trailers, campers, and toy haulers are popular applications for Rockford Fosgate marine source units and remotes. A radio can be installed in the dash, and then additional remotes can be added in the kitchen, master suite, or even outside to control a set of marine-grade speakers. If you have a four-seater side-by-side, a PMX-1R could be added to a Stage 5 Polaris Ranger audio system to give the backseat crew as much control as the driver.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-1R
The PMX-1R can be used almost anywhere to make controlling an audio system easier.

Upgrade Your Marine Radio with the Rockford Fosgate PMX-1R Today!

Whether you are starting to build an audio system from scratch or looking to upgrade an existing installation, adding a remote like the PMX-1R is an excellent solution. If space is limited, the PMX-0 remote without an LCD display is another option. To find the best solution for your application, drop by a local authorized Rockford Fosgate retailer today. You can find a shop near you using the online locator tool on their website. As always, be sure to follow our fanatical friends from Tempe on Facebook, Instagram, and, of course, YouTube.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

RCA Y-Cables, Friend or Foe?

RCA Y-CablesIf you spend any time reading car audio discussions on Facebook or in forums, then you will have undoubtedly come across comments involving the supposed drawbacks of using RCA Y-cables. There seems to be a lot of misconception or misunderstanding about how preamp signals works, and this misinformation leads to comments that aren’t always accurate. Let’s take (more than) a few minutes to clear things up.

Understanding Preamp Level Audio Signals

RCA Y-CablesThe audio signal that connects your source unit to your amplifier is both very weak and quite small. The voltage of the preamp signal is rarely above 10% of the maximum voltage capability of your source unit for several reasons. Firstly, the signal level is directly proportional to the output of the system. When the volume is low, the signal is low in amplitude.

The second factor that contributes to the microscopic amplitude of the preamp signal is known as the Crest Factor. By way of a formal definition, the Crest Factor is the ratio between the peak signal amplitude and the RMS value of a waveform. For a pure sine wave, this value would be 1.414. For music, the Crest Factor value is much larger.

We analyzed a few different songs to come up with some relatable numbers. The new song Run by the Foo Fighters has a maximum amplitude of +0.15 dB and an RMS amplitude of -12.7 dB over the entire track. To keep the math simple, let’s call it 13 dB, which is a ratio just shy of 20:1. We also analyzed Heathens by Twenty One Pilots and found that it has a Crest Factor of 10.5 dB, or just about 11.25:1.

If we think about the highest voltage possible on our preamp signal as being 4 volts, then the average voltage for the above track would be 200 millivolts and 355 millivolts respectively. The peak of 4 V only happens when the volume is at maximum. Don’t forget that.

Scotty, We Have No Power!

Another characteristic of our preamp signal is that it contains almost no current flow. As with any electrical circuit, the amount of current flowing through the circuit is determined by the voltage in the circuit and how much resistance there is. The output impedance of most head units is between 300 and 500 ohms. The input impedance on most amplifiers is about 10,000 ohms.

Using our maximum voltage of 4 volts, and a resistance of 10,500 ohms, the maximum current in our circuit will be 0.381 milliamps. If we consider that the average signal amplitude is about 275 millivolts, then we have an average current flow of 0.0275 milliamps. That is nothing.

What does an RCA Y-cable Do?

RCA Y-CablesAn RCA Y-cable allows you to connect a single RCA output to two RCA inputs. Typical applications for Y-cables are a single subwoofer output RCA on a source unit or processor and the need to feed a pair of inputs on a subwoofer amp. Another common application is a source unit with only a single left and right RCA output; you want to use a four-channel amp that doesn’t include a two-input/four-input switch.

Please Don’t Believe the Hype

The biggest myth about the use of Y-cables is that they dramatically reduce the signal going to each input. To prove why this is not true, we need to understand how a voltage divider circuit works. Yes, it is time for a little physics and math.

In an ideal situation, when we have a signal source and a single load, all the voltage developed by the source appears across the load.

RCA Y-Cables

If we have multiple loads, the voltage produced by the source is divided among the loads when they are wired in series. In the image below, we have two loads in series with our single signal source.

RCA Y-Cables

If the resistance value of the two loads is the same, then the voltage produced by the source is divided equally across the loads. Half the voltage can be measured across each load. Using our 4 V preamp example, we would see 2 V across each load. However, what happens when the load resistance is not the same? We have to do some math to determine how much voltage is across each.

Let’s label the loads. The load on the left will be called Rs. This is the resistance of our source. For this example, we will use a value of 500 ohms. The load on the right will be our amplifier input resistance of 10,000 ohms, and we will call it Ra1.

RCA Y-Cables

We have 4 volts being produced by the source and a total circuit resistance of 10,500 ohms. We can calculate that the current flowing in the circuit is 0.0381 milliamps using Ohm’s law. Knowing the current in the circuit allows us to determine how much voltage is dropped across each resistance. For our source load, we have a resistance of 500 ohms with a current of 0.381 milliamps to produce 190.476 millivolts. The rest of the 4 V source signal or 3.809525 volts appears across the load.

Let’s wire another amplifier in parallel with our first amplifier. This is the same effect as using a Y-cable. Our second amplifier will be called Ra2.

RCA Y-Cables

Now it is math time again. This time, our circuit has a total resistance of 5500 ohms, and as such, has a current of 0.7272 milliamps flowing in it. The voltage dropped across the source has increased to 0.363636 volts, and each amp is seeing 3.636 volts. That seems like a noticeable difference, doesn’t it?

The Decibel Scale Changes Everything

Between the two examples above, we have seen a decrease in voltage at the amplifiers by 4.772%. Does that mean our music is almost 5% quieter? No. When we talk about the ratio of voltage to volume, we need to take into account the decibel scale. Our decrease of 4.772% percent in voltage works out to -0.405 dB less output.

Before you get your knickers in a knot, you can fix that by turning the gain on your amplifier up by that amount.

A Worst-case Mathematical Example

RCA Y-CablesThis example was a worst-case scenario. What if you have a source unit with a lower output impedance? Some head units have an output impedance of 300 ohms. For that head unit, with the same 10,000 ohm input impedance on the amplifiers, the change in output by using a Y-cable would be -0.2493 dB. If you have a premium line driver in your system, the output impedance may be as low as 50 ohms. In this scenario, the loss is a paltry -0.0431 dB.

What did we learn from this? If you need to connect many amplifiers to a single source, then choose a source with a low output impedance.

RCA Y-cables as a Solution are Not Evil

If your system requires that you use a set of Y-cables to distribute the audio signal to multiple amplifiers, then go right ahead. Once your installer sets the sensitivity controls on your amps, you will never, ever know they are there.

If you have any questions about the design of your audio system or what to know about how your installer will be wiring it, talk to the salesperson and your local mobile electronics specialist retailer – they would be happy to explain things to you.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.