On/Off Switch for Subwoofer
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=33079
Printed Date: May 05, 2024 at 5:44 PM
Topic: On/Off Switch for Subwoofer
Posted By: nickch
Subject: On/Off Switch for Subwoofer
Date Posted: June 01, 2004 at 6:05 AM
i have a Pioneer HU with 2x RCA outs. Have an amp powering 2* 6x9" and one Subwoofer. I was wondering if its possible to place a switch somewhere between the HU and the amp so that i can shut the woofer off completely? thanks in advance
Replies:
Posted By: thepencil
Date Posted: June 01, 2004 at 8:23 AM
Using a toggle switch between the remote wire going into the amp will do the trick. ------------- Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. 
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: June 01, 2004 at 8:25 AM
I assume you are running a four-channel amp and you want to keep the 6X9's powered? In this case you will need a high-power switch or relay on the speaker side between the amp and the woofer. Get a relay rated for the maximum power of the amp. Not a cheap scenario... a better way might be to install a remote volume control like an Audio Control MVC or a crossover with a level control for the sub. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: June 01, 2004 at 10:04 AM
I just thought of a cheap and dirty way to switch off one of your RCA sends to the amp. Get an A/B line-level switcher (they make these for audio or for AV. Either would work.) Then if you literally want to switch off the subs, you could select the empty input (B side) for the send to the channels running the subs. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: June 01, 2004 at 12:08 PM
I like cheap and dirty....that's a good one, DYohn.
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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
Posted By: insanity44
Date Posted: June 01, 2004 at 1:54 PM
We were messing around in my friends car. you don't need to use the rem wire from the head unit. make your own wire that goes from the battery to the switch to the amp that is powering the subwoofers. we used 10 gauge wire and the switch works great. Very cheap and very easy. all you need is enough wire and a cheap 12 volt switch.
Posted By: insanity44
Date Posted: June 01, 2004 at 1:58 PM
sorry ignore my post...i first read your post as if you had two amps. DYohn's way will work the way you want it too.
Posted By: nickch
Date Posted: June 02, 2004 at 1:36 AM
yeah.. i was thinking of sticking a switch somewhere on the RCA for the subwoofer. The problem that i was worried about was that the grounding abilities of the wire might be jeopardized. However, i;ve seen On/Off switches with 3 pins. and one which says ground whereas the other 2 would be the 2 connections you want to change. How do I hook up the cable shielding of the RCA properly?
Posted By: nickch
Date Posted: June 02, 2004 at 1:38 AM
i did consider the RCA option but was worried that the grounding shield around the cable would be broken and might introduce noise. But i've seen 3 pinned toggle switches around with one pin saying ground.. if this is what i'm supposed to be looking for, how do i go about wiring up the grounding shield on both ends of the connection to the switch?
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: June 02, 2004 at 8:20 AM
Toggle switch on the RCA is not what I was suggesting. Do not use a toggle switch on the RCA cable. Get an AV switcher like this. (Actualy that one is overkill as it is a 4-input audio AND video selector. You only need one that has two audio inputs. But get a device like that one, not a toggle switch.) ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: nickch
Date Posted: June 02, 2004 at 2:36 PM
how about a switch inline with the speaker cable from the amp to the woofer? I will be mounting the amp under the passanger seat and i could mount the switch on the arm rest console near the emergency brake lever. Its not too much of a distance to detour the wire to the console and then to the woofer? what do you think?
Posted By: Ravendarat
Date Posted: June 02, 2004 at 10:07 PM
not a good Idea. You would need to spend big money to buy a high current switch and relay setup like what dyhon said earlier. The other idea he had about the av switcher is your best way.
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Posted By: nickch
Date Posted: June 03, 2004 at 2:38 AM
um, now i've adjusted my plans a little as i've found out what the exact ratings my speakers are and i'll only have the sub running on the amp, this way i could put a switch on the remote cable right? Correct me if i'm wrong.. thanks
Posted By: insanity44
Date Posted: June 03, 2004 at 9:28 AM
correct, thats what i was saying earlier. if you only have the sub on the amp you can put a 12 volt switch on the remote wire and just turn the whole amp on and off
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