Episode 21 - Installing a 2.1
stereo audio system
I wanted a decent sound system for the front of the bus, to play
music when the bus is in motion and stationary, and to make the
GPS turn-by-turn directions coming from my tablet loud enough
to hear over the roar of the engine. It might seem that the
obvious choice was an in-dash car radio with an auxiliary input
like this one.
But these units include a radio tuner, which I wouldn’t use. And
the only opening on dashboard to install it was to the left of the
driver, making it awkward to use when the bus was stationary.
So I decided to buy a stereo amplifier that would sit to the right
of the driver.
Last fall I installed two satellite speakers on the bulkhead over
the windshield. They were driven by an underpowered amp
temporarily duct taped to the dashboard. (Trashy, I know.) That
amp died recently, and I replaced it with this more powerful one
by Aiyima.
There’s a lot to like about this unit, but unlike the old one, it
requires 24-36 volts DC. The bus offers only 12 volts DC. So I
used this voltage converter to convert 12 volts to 30 volts to
power the amp. So far it’s working fine.
The other issue with the new amplifier (that I would have noticed
if I hadn’t shopped for it past my bedtime) is that it can drive a
powered subwoofer, but not a passive one. So after a dead end
trying to find a way to power the passive subwoofer I already
owned, I gave up and bought this powered subwoofer.
The installation is now complete. Click the image below to see
the project unfold in episode 21 on my YouTube channel. And
while you’re there, click the Subscribe button so you don’t miss
subsequent episodes.
Update: Below is a link to a short video in which I make a few
refinements to the sound system, including adding
soundproofing to the back of the subwoofer to eliminate a harsh
noise:
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