Installing a volume control

[Diggler]

Does anyone know what type of POT to install for a volume control? I guess it will just be in-line with the positive speaker terminal. It will be on a Silver Sabre uMax. I know it will void the warranty but I don't think that thing will ever fail me! I use Killer B's usually but this detector is only one tone and I really only use it for cherry picking with the CleanSweep 3x18. Right now I have tape dog eared over the hole (3 layers) and it is still too loud. I want more control and I know it will look better. Should also make the battery last longer too. Any other tips on how/where to install appreciated.

[Ed in KC]

You can buy inline volume controls for headphones, but all that I've seen are stereo and 1/8" connectors.

[Diggler]

All of my headphones have volume controls. I want to not use headphones most of the time on this particular setup. I want to install a volume control for the detectors speaker.

[devros]

you can really use any small POT, sometimes you want to add like a 10ohm resistor in line with everything else. I would say a 50K ohm POT should do the trick with it, try one of those and then if it gives you any grief then try it with the 10ohm resistor inline with it. hope this helps.

[Diggler]

Originally Posted by devros

you can really use any small POT, sometimes you want to add like a 10ohm resistor in line with everything else. I would say a 50K ohm POT should do the trick with it, try one of those and then if it gives you any grief then try it with the 10ohm resistor inline with it. hope this helps.

Thanks. I think I will go ahead and do the resistor at the same time. This thing is LOUD!

[randwool]

Whichever pot you get, make sure it is an audio taper, not a linear taper.

[hobbes_lives]

Another alternative that shouldn't void the warranty is to put a label over the speaker. You won't have variable control, but it should quiet it down substantially.

[Diggler]

I had 3 labels over the volume. You would not believe how loud this thing is until you hear it. Go outside and listen, I will turn it on now...

[Vlad]

Originally Posted by Diggler

I had 3 labels over the volume. You would not believe how loud this thing is until you hear it. Go outside and listen, I will turn it on now...

if you need some used pots let me know, I have some kicking around in the garage. I'm not sure what kind they are but I can take a pic if you want.

[SkiWhiz]

Originally Posted by Diggler

I had 3 labels over the volume. You would not believe how loud this thing is until you hear it. Go outside and listen, I will turn it on now...

You can not tame the power of a Tesoro, below is a picture of one of TabDog's Tesoro's that he was trying to leash the power of. Steve.

[Diggler]

Yah I can't afford the flux capacitor mod. Besides, where am I going to get a 1.21 jigowatt battery?

[Vito]

Originally Posted by Diggler

Does anyone know what type of POT to install for a volume control? I guess it will just be in-line with the positive speaker terminal. It will be on a Silver Sabre uMax. I know it will void the warranty but I don't think that thing will ever fail me! I use Killer B's usually but this detector is only one tone and I really only use it for cherry picking with the CleanSweep 3x18. Right now I have tape dog eared over the hole (3 layers) and it is still too loud. I want more control and I know it will look better. Should also make the battery last longer too. Any other tips on how/where to install appreciated.

For real control I think a 10k will do a great job. And if soldered as shown in the "schematic" you can drive it from 0 to full power.

Hope this is helpfull.

[Diggler]

Originally Posted by Vito

For real control I think a 10k will do a great job. And if soldered as shown in the "schematic" you can drive it from 0 to full power.
Attachment 45333
Hope this is helpfull.

Excellent. I have been lazy and not done mode yet. So when I do I will follow your schematic.

[Vito]

[devros]

Nice advice Vito, and nice graphic to go along with your post. Thanks.