[naxxal]

Hello,

I own a Passport 8500 x50 radar detector and the alerts are not loud enough or not sharp enough to hear them when my music is around 10-15 volume range, so one day i connected my AUXMOD wire to my radar detector and all alerts were freaking loud as hell, but i am not stupid to use my AUXMOD for my radar not the music, i just wanted to find a way to connect my Tweeters "right and left", and whenever alerts goes on i will hear it blasting throught the music i am listening to. I know that there is a speaker like that sold separatly for $25, but i wanted to make my own wire with the speaker that i can connect. I have used a one side of the phone jack wire connected it to the radar, and the other sliced on half, connected "-" and "+" wires and no sound ALERT sound whats so ever. So, can anyone suggest me how can i make my pown speaker that i could use with my radar detector?

 

[dread]

I have the same problem, It sucks because I like to blast my music and drive fast.

 

[lg paul]

Really? It seems super loud to me. I about have a heart attack and swerve off the road when the LASER alert comes on. I have to keep the detectors volume half way up otherwise it hurts my ears.

 

[dread]

yeah the laser is scary but most of the time the detector is too quiet. It also does not give nearly enough warning for me. Sometimes it doesn't go off until I am next to a cop.

 

[naxxal]

I used to own Beltronics 925, some really old model, but alerts on it were amazinglly loud, on Escort they are loud but i would say it is "LAZER" and "KA", but while listening my music on the highway with my windows rolled down radar becomes part of the stereo system, i cant hear any signal unless i keep an eye on my radar reading. But speaker will make me hear all of these signals right the way.

So, can anyone suggest how to make your own speaker, i can buy one for $35 online, but why when i can use my tweeters or something?

 

[smiler82]

Not sure if this is possible, but if the alert circuit could be located/isolated, a great way to go would be to tap into the telephone mute pin/wire that our stock and most aftermarket radios have and link the two. That way instead of listening for the warning, the music would be instantly muted and the warning volume could stay the same....

anyone got a schematic for the Passport? maybe even tap into the warning LED?

 

[mz3frs]

I believe your problem is in the signal power exiting the detector. The output voltage of the unit is likely far too weak to drive a speaker on it's own. That's why it works through the auxmod, but not straight to the speaker (Auxmod is routing it through the head unit's amp). You'll need to construct a separate amp. Even the most basic of amp circuits is probably gonna run you about $10...

If you have an old set of computer speakers you can rip apart you will likely find a workable amp inside. Just wire the radar detector output to the speaker input, and run the output wires to your tweeters... Hopefully you already have them protected by a capacitor .

If you are interested in building your own amp circuit I can probably come up with some pertinent links; just ask.

 

[naxxal]

[quote author=MZ3FRS link=topic=70909.msg1249619#msg1249619 date=1173115197]
I believe your problem is in the signal power exiting the detector. The output voltage of the unit is likely far too weak to drive a speaker on it's own. That's why it works through the auxmod, but not straight to the speaker (Auxmod is routing it through the head unit's amp). You'll need to construct a separate amp. Even the most basic of amp circuits is probably gonna run you about $10...

If you have an old set of computer speakers you can rip apart you will likely find a workable amp inside. Just wire the radar detector output to the speaker input, and run the output wires to your tweeters... Hopefully you already have them protected by a capacitor .

If you are interested in building your own amp circuit I can probably come up with some pertinent links; just ask.
[/quote]

I will trully appritiate it, i might find a pair of unused computer speakers and be able to takethem apart, but i dont know details of electronics, or how does that little amp looks like, if you have pics or drawings it would be very nice. This way it would be nice "How TO" mod to have, just for those who own radar detectors. Thanks alot man.

 

[mz3frs]

If you do find a set of speakers to tear apart, take a picture of the circuitry inside, I should be able to point you in the right direction.

I don't know how comfortable you are with DIY electronics, but this is a good circuit to start with:
http://tangentsoft.net/audio/cmoy-tutorial/

It's intended as a headphone amplifier, so it may be a bit weak for your purpose... but I believe it would work. The above link is a very detailed step-by-step walk through on building it. Most of the article is concerned with improving audio quality; pointless in your purpose. Just use the cheapest parts you can.
You can omit the LED and RLED (unless you want an LED) you can also omit the POT if you don't need volume control (There's one on the unit right?).

I'm certain there is a more efficient way of doing this, but this circuit has nice easy instructions, and can be reasonably cheap.



I think your best option is to lay your hands on a set of speakers tho. It will almost certainly be cheaper, and that way you won't have to solder anything up.

GL