RailPro User Group
RailPro => RailPro Specific Help & Discussion => Topic started by: TwinStar on January 31, 2017, 02:58:40 PM
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I've installed two of the following speakers in my P2K E7:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/192002165374?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
and have them powered by an LM-2S. Should I wire them in series of parallel?
Jacob
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I tend to wire my speakers in series because it presents a 16 ohm load to the amplifier, thus decreasing how many watts the amp puts out. This does two things: 1.) it prevents the amp from damaging the speakers when the max wattage of the speaker isn't known (most of the ones I've used are 2 watt max, but many are 1 watt max), and 2.) it keeps the sound from being obnoxiously loud. The sounds coming out of our locomotives should be pleasant to the ear, not migraine-inducing.
-Kevin
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Kevin:
That's how I wired them but was considering going the other way. I like the 'background' noises as well but sometimes haveing a nice BBBLLLLLLLLATTTTTTTTTT of the horn is cool too;)
Jacob
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You could have a happy medium by wiring the speakers in parallel with a 8 ohm resistor in series. Assuming the speakers are 8 ohm each, that would equal 12 ohms total 8/2 + 8 so you have more volume but still retain the safety factor Kevin mentions.
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I still get plenty of volume when I wire in series. In fact, all of my multiple speaker installations are at 50% master volume or less (and some are down at 30% master volume) with most other sounds around 40%. The only sound I keep up in the 90%'s is the horn. And at 50% master volume the horn is plenty loud.
Alan, good idea on the resistor.
-Kevin