Installing electronics next to SRS Airbag controller in car

Question

I have bought an add-on for my car stereo (GROM USB3) which adds USB and Bluetooth capability for playing music and answering calls. This module is contained in a little box with 4 ports, and connects to the back of the OEM radio unit through the CD Changer interface. Its size is approx. 10cm x 7cm x 2.5cm (4" x 2.7" x 1").

With some help, I removed the radio and AC panel and did the necessary connections. So far, it works really well.

What bothers me is that I placed this little box on the car floor, right next to another "box" which is the SRS Airbag controller module, separating them by a sponge-type foam to reduce vibration. This has a big warning sticker on top of it and is covered by a transparent plastic sheet pasted on its top side only. I did not touch its connections. The car is a 2006 Subaru Legacy.

My question is: Is this risky? I was thinking about electromagnetic interference between these items or its cables, or static electricity building up (because of the foam). My fear is that the airbags could be activated randomly.

I attach a picture of the box placement. The cable on top of the SRS controller is the cable running from the back of the radio to the GROM add-on (labeled SUB08). The black foam is the one I added, the yellowish one was already there.

Thanks for comments and suggestions.

picheto · Answer

As mentioned by @alephzero in the comments, the airbag controller is contained inside a solid metal box which should keep out EM radiation. But maybe irrationally I just felt better moving it to the glove box.

Tip: You can easily remove a little plastic "drawer" located on a corner of your glove box by putting a flat screwdriver on its border and then pulling it out. It lets you have direct access to the back of the radio and pass the wires.

Diamond · Answer

There are typically several controllers housed together. I'm guessing that the grom was installed here because the CD player was originally here - a CD player will typically produce much more interference due to motors etc. than a simple grom. If you're worried about EM, wrap the grom in aluminium foil. As the controller is already shielded, there shouldn't be any worries. That cubby is intended for multiple controllers to be housed there anyway.

Answered by Diamond on August 20, 2020

Installing electronics next to SRS Airbag controller in car

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