I am still in search of marine grade volume controls for the audio system on my new 460. I am running out of time to source them in time to have them included in the comissioning. What I am looking for is a marine quality stereo attenuator that I can place in line with the speakers on my stereo, so that I can adjust the volume in each cabin and up on deck. If I do not find a suitable item, I may decide to simply place an on/off switch on the cockpit speakers so that I can at least listen to the stereo without blasting out everyone else when we are in a marina. Looking for sources for the volume controls, or creative ideas. Thanks for your help! George
- Status
Happy Happy Joy Joy
Well, that's bit much, but I might have another option for you. I'm not sure about the MARINE quality of said items, btin a previous post you were only anti-Radio Shack parts. So, you got me to thinking (dreaming) about buying volume controls for my own 450 (yeah right!) and I went looking. Google.com responds with several good search matches on the following: "volume control" -Windows -Linux Among the matches were dozens of links to the same site. Not a marine site, but they look like they know what they're doing.Try this link: http://www.smarthome.com/avvlmctrl.html which also shows a "weatherproof" version. You might call them and get their definition of "weatherproof" Let me know what they said; I could afford the volume control waaaaaaay before the rest of a 450.
Well, that's bit much, but I might have another option for you. I'm not sure about the MARINE quality of said items, btin a previous post you were only anti-Radio Shack parts. So, you got me to thinking (dreaming) about buying volume controls for my own 450 (yeah right!) and I went looking. Google.com responds with several good search matches on the following: "volume control" -Windows -Linux Among the matches were dozens of links to the same site. Not a marine site, but they look like they know what they're doing.Try this link: http://www.smarthome.com/avvlmctrl.html which also shows a "weatherproof" version. You might call them and get their definition of "weatherproof" Let me know what they said; I could afford the volume control waaaaaaay before the rest of a 450.
Looking Good
Jay, Thanks for the lead. The controls look better than anything else I have found. I have written to them to see if they think the units will stand up to saltwater. It is also very cool that they do impedence matching, as this is always a concerne when you add too many speakers to an audio system. Thanks for your help, I am sure my boat will sound better for it!
Jay, Thanks for the lead. The controls look better than anything else I have found. I have written to them to see if they think the units will stand up to saltwater. It is also very cool that they do impedence matching, as this is always a concerne when you add too many speakers to an audio system. Thanks for your help, I am sure my boat will sound better for it!
Use the fade
If your stereo is setup for 4 speakers there should be a balance control for Right (R) and LEFT (L) plus a fade control for FRONT (F) and REAR (R). We use fade to control the volume of the speakers in the cockpit (REAR) and in the cabin (FRONT). If you have more than four speakers you will need additional volume control.
If your stereo is setup for 4 speakers there should be a balance control for Right (R) and LEFT (L) plus a fade control for FRONT (F) and REAR (R). We use fade to control the volume of the speakers in the cockpit (REAR) and in the cabin (FRONT). If you have more than four speakers you will need additional volume control.
Your Welcome...
...now just don't forget me when you need crew for ...oh....say...a week or two at sea on the new boat! (You'll need someone to help adjust the volume, right?)
...now just don't forget me when you need crew for ...oh....say...a week or two at sea on the new boat! (You'll need someone to help adjust the volume, right?)
Some good ideas
Let me give you some thoughts. First of all, there's a company called Niles Audio Corporation, which makes really nice audio attenuators. Basically, it's a switched multi tap transformer affair, which fits into a standard duplex box cutout. I mounted one of these in my cockpit centre console to control the cockpit speakers. The problem you typically run into is water migration down the shaft. To solve this, I mounted the unit above the knob on an angled plate, and used a flex shaft affair to connect the knob to the attenuator, as water doesn't run uphill very well. The second neat thing you can do is purchase some fibre optic cable from Edmond scientific, and route it so that it ends up at the IR receiver at the front of your stereo. You terminate the fibre optics in the cockpit, (or wherever), with a door peep hole. You can use your supplied remote control, (assuming your stereo has one)to control not just volume but track selection as well from a few locations. There are a few companies that sell remote IR links as well, but I'm not sure of their names. If you want to seriously inquire about the remote IR links, call Bay Bloor Radio in Toronto.
Let me give you some thoughts. First of all, there's a company called Niles Audio Corporation, which makes really nice audio attenuators. Basically, it's a switched multi tap transformer affair, which fits into a standard duplex box cutout. I mounted one of these in my cockpit centre console to control the cockpit speakers. The problem you typically run into is water migration down the shaft. To solve this, I mounted the unit above the knob on an angled plate, and used a flex shaft affair to connect the knob to the attenuator, as water doesn't run uphill very well. The second neat thing you can do is purchase some fibre optic cable from Edmond scientific, and route it so that it ends up at the IR receiver at the front of your stereo. You terminate the fibre optics in the cockpit, (or wherever), with a door peep hole. You can use your supplied remote control, (assuming your stereo has one)to control not just volume but track selection as well from a few locations. There are a few companies that sell remote IR links as well, but I'm not sure of their names. If you want to seriously inquire about the remote IR links, call Bay Bloor Radio in Toronto.
- Status