Xanth's Audio Build (Page 4/8)
Arns85GT JAN 31, 01:31 PM

quote
Originally posted by Blacktree:

Just about anything soft and fluffy should work. Some common things to use for stuffing are pillow stuffing, cotton balls, and fiberglass insulation. (Although, I wouldn't suggest using fiberglass insulation. That stuff is evil!) Some common things to use for lining the walls are foam rubber, shaggy carpet, and blankets.

BTW, I really like your attention to detail. Keep up the good work!




The best thing is to get some Rock Wool at the building supply store. Rock Wool is used by professional sound engineers to dampen sound. It is flame proof to a very high degree and safer than fiberglass matting in a car.

Arn
Xanth JAN 31, 01:41 PM
First failure: the sub gave out rather suddenly. Everything was good, then like flipping a switch its rattling. Cant afford to replace it, just continue with what i have for now.
Xanth FEB 01, 12:14 AM
Browsing through subs, I'll probably either grab this one:
http://www.partsexpress.com...?&Partnumber=264-826

Or this one, same one FieroSound used in his Fool Everybody thread:
http://www.partsexpress.com...?&Partnumber=264-831

The first one is rated for higher watts and at 8ohms, so may be the better match for my amp, going by what Arns85GT is saying.

The second one though is highly recommended, but is rated for less watts at 4ohms, I may just ruin that one as well.

[This message has been edited by Xanth (edited 02-01-2008).]

Eau_Rouge FEB 01, 09:02 AM
After months of trying to get an Xtant 1.1i as recommended in the other threads and having no luck, I found an older kenwood KAC 33 amp on ebay that is rated at 30 watts RMS x 1 channel. I ended up buying it for a little over $20 plus shipping. I have the recommended 5 inch subwoofer and hopefully the amp that I bought will be a good match for it. When I get it and set it up I'll post my opinion on it.

...just a suggestion, keep an eye out for low power amps on ebay. It may be a better alternative.
Xanth FEB 01, 10:02 AM
If this continues to be a problem I will give a lower rated amp a try, or go ahead with my ideas on installing an 8inch sub under the dash.

I believe though that first sub should be able to handle my amp.
Xanth FEB 03, 06:05 PM
Well, my Tang Band sub is on the way
http://www.partsexpress.com...?&Partnumber=264-831

Also on the way are the slide resistors I need to modify the overhead console. With any luck by this weekend I'll have the sub in and the overhead volume control working.
Xanth FEB 10, 08:31 PM
Okay, here goes my modification of the Performance Sound overhead unit.

Quick reminder, I'm using the PAC LC2 line converter, which has a volume control on it. It uses a Stereo 50kohm rotary resistor:


Here is the stock unit, you can see the variable resistor in the center, used to control the gain on the stock system:


I removed the bracket and buttons, leaving just the variable resistor:


One of the new variable resistors, a single 50 kohm audio taper slide resistor with 30mm of travel:


Testing the fit of the new resistor in the assembly, this resistor will be the one the slide knob fits onto:
Xanth FEB 10, 08:40 PM
Next step, I modified the bar to accommodate the second slide resistor. The reason I need to use two resistors is the the PAC resistor is stereo, but I was unable to find a stereo slide resistor small enough.


New sliders installed in the bracket:


I modified the slider on one of the new units to somewhat match the original slider so the knob will snap on:


Heres the sliders with centers removed, the modified slider is in the factory position:


Here's the factory knob, notice the cutout in one side? It is important.


I made up a dowel that goes through the hole in the knob, and through both sliders so they will move at once. Afterwards I used some hot glue to sturdy the assembly together.
Xanth FEB 10, 08:50 PM
Soldered leads onto the new resistors, and sealed them with hot glue:


Bracket reinstalled with new resistors and connector:


Here is the factory connector on the Performance Sound overhead, problem is it does not mate with the wiring in my Formula, non-performance sound units have a wide 2-pin connector:


So, heres the pins removed from the stock two-pin connector:


Overhead unit is now done, all factory Performance Sound wiring is removed, so unit will plug right into my Formula:


Here it is from the front:

[This message has been edited by Xanth (edited 02-10-2008).]

Xanth FEB 10, 08:57 PM
Moving on to the PAC L2 unit, I'm replacing the wires where the volume knob used to be, with wires that match the color setup I used on the overhead:


New connector in place of the original knob:


Connector to mate with my speaker harness in the car:


PAC LC2 reassembled with connectors to match my custom harnesses: