Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Replacing a 16ohm micro speaker with an 8ohm micro speaker.


559 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

Trusted

Topic # 95390 2-Jan-2012 11:54
Send private message

Hey guys i have a radar detector on which the speaker blew. Ive tested another micro speaker which works fine but the physical size is wrong(so i can't close the unit up). The original is a 30mm micro speaker with 16ohm printed on the back.

Ive ordered the same speaker online but can only get them at 8ohm, will any damage be done to the transformer on the unit or something similar running half the ohms?

Cheers. 

Create new topic
1079 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 31


  Reply # 563883 2-Jan-2012 22:43
Send private message

It's possible you could damage the radar detector's internal amplifier, but not particularly likely. I would suggest connecting a small 8ohm resistor (1/2W) in series and see what the volume is like. If it's too quiet try without.
If it were mine though, I'd just plug in the 8ohm speaker and try it, but that's me.



559 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

Trusted

  Reply # 564083 3-Jan-2012 18:29
Send private message

awesome, thanks mate. I think ill buy a resistor just incase because it was an expensive detector.

 
 
 
 




559 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

Trusted

  Reply # 564084 3-Jan-2012 18:35
Send private message

also, where would i get one of these resistors? are they metal film resistors from dick smiths?

is this correct?
http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/product/R0122/pack-5-metalfilm-4r3-0-6w-res-5-band-1-yel-org-blk-slv-br 

2906 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 511


  Reply # 564103 3-Jan-2012 19:41
Send private message

It will possibly only be an issue if you were driving the speaker at high power (volume) most of the time which I guess is unlikely.  You would be very unlikely to have an issue if you were to use the 8 ohm speaker on its' own.




Sony Xperia X running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS 
Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
Nokia N1
Dell Inspiron 14z i5



559 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

Trusted

  Reply # 564114 3-Jan-2012 20:32
Send private message

i do use it at full volume on the radar unit, crap..

1079 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 31


  Reply # 564196 4-Jan-2012 08:15
Send private message

s.joseph: also, where would i get one of these resistors? are they metal film resistors from dick smiths?

is this correct?
http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/product/R0122/pack-5-metalfilm-4r3-0-6w-res-5-band-1-yel-org-blk-slv-br 


Yes, two of those in series will do it. If you have Jaycar close to you I would try there first. The few components Dick Smith still lists are often not even in stock. If you are using a single resistor a 1Watt might be necessary, but I'm assuming the detector only makes sound intermittently (things won't get too hot).

2906 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 511


  Reply # 564235 4-Jan-2012 10:32
Send private message

If you are fitting a resistor don't even bother with Dick Smith, they used to be very good for this sort of thing but now are a complete waste of time.  Go to Jaycars, the catalogue no. you need is RR2524 for a 8R2 ohm 1 Watt 5% Carbon Film Resistor.

 

P.S. while two 4.3 ohm resistors in series will do the same job it's much easier and simpler to fit one resistor plus you're probably tight on space as well.

P.P.S. A metal film resistor will do just as well just they are more expensive though probably smaller 




Sony Xperia X running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS 
Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
Nokia N1
Dell Inspiron 14z i5



559 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 2

Trusted

  Reply # 565286 6-Jan-2012 11:43
Send private message

so i got the resistor and now the speaker is super quiet! :( what can i do?

1079 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 31


  Reply # 565556 6-Jan-2012 22:26
Send private message

remove the resistor.

2906 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 511


  Reply # 565575 6-Jan-2012 22:59
Send private message

Did you get the correct value resistor? Have you got a meter to check it. It's possible that a resistor was put in the wrong bin. How familiar are you with resistor colour codes? For example the multiplier colour will be the only difference between a 8.2 a 82 or 820 ohm resistor.




Sony Xperia X running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS 
Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
Nokia N1
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

Create new topic



Twitter »

Follow us to receive Twitter updates when new discussions are posted in our forums:



Follow us to receive Twitter updates when news items and blogs are posted in our frontpage:



Follow us to receive Twitter updates when tech item prices are listed in our price comparison site:



Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.


Geekzone Live »

Our community of supporters help make Geekzone possible. Click the button below to join them.

Support Geezone on PressPatron


Updates »

Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.

Alternatively, you can receive a daily email with Geekzone updates.