build your own bridging module

Do any of the gurus on this site have the know how to suggest to me a way to build my own bridging module for an early generation Orion amplifier? I just bought a 4100gx and the manual states I must use a bridging module to bridge two of the channels. Not going to do this soon, but I would like to have the option in the future. Thanks, MikeChronic, late stage optimist.

Isn't that an "input" bridge (2 into 1 or 1 to 2 etc) as opposed to an input inverting bridge to phase the bridged outputs? (eg SiliconChip/Jaycar's Bridge Mode Adaptor for Stereo Amplifiers)

That device inverts the right channel just as the Orion Bridging module works. Orange = Bridge positive, Yellow will be bridged Negative.

I used the link. It gave a page with error scripts. I used the one link that was working on that page and it took me to a page entitled: "DIN Bridging Module".    I looked. I am afraid I don't read all the stuff well on there, but it appears it is a diagram to put something miniature inside the DIN male plug? That is TINY! Or, am I reading it wrong? Sorry for being so dumb on this, but if I know what it says, I am a competent person with a soldering iron and solder! I just have to know what exactly I need to purchase for the parts, and how I am to hook them up.Chronic, late stage optimist.

LOL! I'm the dumb one - I didn't even see the SMD OpAmp small device. (I auto-downloaded the link but it missed the .swf... d'oh - see, I am an idiot #2!) Hence Dear i am an idiot Esq, forgive my reply above. I thought it was mere resistor bridging (and after your reply thought the amp had inverting inputs...) (Yours sincerely, IAAI#2.) fuster - information is somewhat lacking on that link. There is a section on Op-Amp Inverters at http://www.bcae1.com/opamp.htm but it doesn't quite tally with the circuit on the earlier linked .swf which is probably using the LM358/LM2904. [It needs to be a single-supply OpAmp as opposed to those that require a balanced +ve & -ve supply around 0V (GND).]    [Locate sections like the abovementioned Operational Amplifiers by scrolling down the RH side of the bcae1 home page bcae1.com, eg #51 Amplifier Bridging, #82 Operational Amplifiers, etc.] Maybe IAAI Esq. can provide the required detail... ? BTW, that bcae1 DIN bridging module/cable is a simplified equivalent of the SiliconChip July 2008 Bridge Mode Adaptor which uses an equivalent LM833 OpAmp.

Hey, well, I contacted the seller of the bridging module in the first post with the link to a seller. Here is what he told me: Hi Mike, Thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately, this unit will not suit car amplifiers as it requires a dual rail power supply. OK, well, it sounds as though I still have to hunt on that "bcae" web link to find the right bridging module?Chronic, late stage optimist.

It's not my day for NOT being an idiot. Or is it just this thread? Talk about me being confustergated (as in "confustigate the muddy bucket of pitch"... ah - maybe it's you? That SillyChip & LM833 uses a dual supply (I called it balanced above). And IMO that is required due to the audio signal swing above & below GND. There are ways to use a single-supply OpAmp, but IMO based on that BCAE circuit the DIN pins must therefore have +ve & -ve rails (supplies). Again, maybe i am an idiot can confirm or supply extra info. I think I'll butt out of this thread... Though before I do... I recently decided that a dual supply is not that difficult. I have a box of 12V cig-socket chargers for mobile phones etc that I convert for other voltages. Some seem to be dual else split supply outputs, but if not, they are relatively easy to modify for dual supply outputs. (Though I suspect keeping to a 3V-8V (and hence +/-3V to +/-8V) output is easiest to avoid "up" conversions.) That came about because for ages I've been wanting to use some Tamura current sensors/transducers (from DigiKey) for misc vehicle tests and monitoring. Though the Tamuras have +5V versions which would be easiest for vehicle DC systems, the output is unsuitable for connection to cheap panel meters since the output is centered around +2.5V (for 0 Amps). I decided the best solution was to use the +/-15V dual supply Tamuras so that a common LCD etc voltmeter panel could be used without any level shifting. (The +5V version is suitable for "intelligent" inputs - eg, uPCs, PICAXES etc - the +2.5V "zero" point is merely mapped as being zero Amps.) A dual supply audio inverter could use the same. In fact its low current might even mean that simpler "primitive" transistor & capacitor converters could be used. But I'll let the audio experts hereon provide their solutions.

Hi, Your amplifier probably has the dual rail supply inside it...powering the preamplifier portion of the amp. Careful probing/circuit identification will be required. Or a small dc/dc converter, once power requirements of the bridging adapter are known. Mark

Ween is correct, your amplifier does provide + and - voltage needed by that other bridging module. Positive voltage is on pin 1 of the din plug. Negative voltage is on pin 3 of the din plug.