Series/parallel wiring question.

[johns811]

Hi, I'm working on a line array project. If I have 6 4 ohm speakers would it be better to wire 2 banks of 3 speakers, or 3 banks of 2 speakers? What is the result of daisy chaining 2 line array speakers? Does this change the net ohm rating?

Thanks.

[Tom Smit]

3 @4 ohms in series=12 ohms. 2 sets at 12 ohms=6 ohms/cab
2 @4 ohms in series=8 ohms. 3 sets at 8 ohms=2.6 ohms/cab

Are the cabs to be seriesed (sp)or paralleled when daisy-chained? if paralled, then as you can see, it would be in very dangerous territory.

Here is a link to sort of figure things out. Use a pencil and paper to put your thoughts down.
http://www.the12volt.com/caraudio/boxcalcs.asp

[johns811]

Thanks Tom

It looks like the math is 4 * (3/2) = 6 ohm
4 * (2/3) = 2.6 ohm

For daisy chaining on each cab i was thinking running positive to positive, negative to negative. Why is this dangerous?
Thanks again
John

3 @4 ohms in series=12 ohms. 2 sets at 12 ohms=6 ohms/cab
2 @4 ohms in series=8 ohms. 3 sets at 8 ohms=2.6 ohms/cab

Are the cabs to be seriesed (sp)or paralleled when daisy-chained? if paralled, then as you can see, it would be in very dangerous territory.

Here is a link to sort of figure things out. Use a pencil and paper to put your thoughts down.
http://www.the12volt.com/caraudio/boxcalcs.asp

[Bruce Weldy]

For daisy chaining on each cab i was thinking running positive to positive, negative to negative. Why is this dangerous?

If you have an amplifier that is 2 ohm capable and has enough power to run cool supporting that load and voltage - it's ok.

Tom's concern is that often people don't consider those issues and going below 4 ohms can be a problem.

[johns811]

So if I daisy chain positive to positive, does that drop 6 ohm to 3 ohm.

I want the option to run them chained or separate on each channel, is it possible to wire them that way?

For daisy chaining on each cab i was thinking running positive to positive, negative to negative. Why is this dangerous?

If you have an amplifier that is 2 ohm capable and has enough power to run cool supporting that load and voltage - it's ok.

Tom's concern is that often people don't consider those issues and going below 4 ohms can be a problem.

[Bruce Weldy]

So if I daisy chain positive to positive, does that drop 6 ohm to 3 ohm.

I want the option to run them chained or separate on each channel, is it possible to wire them that way?

For daisy chaining on each cab i was thinking running positive to positive, negative to negative. Why is this dangerous?

If you have an amplifier that is 2 ohm capable and has enough power to run cool supporting that load and voltage - it's ok.

Tom's concern is that often people don't consider those issues and going below 4 ohms can be a problem.

Daisy chaining typically means running from one speaker cabinet to another and that is with parallel wiring.

Parallel wiring is when the positives all terminate at the speaker jack.

I think that's what you mean, but when you say you are wiring positive to positive, I'm not really sure what you are doing....so, to be safe - give a little more detail.

[johns811]

I'm attempting to make 2 small line arrays, they are 4" wide and 36" tall, Each will have 6 4 ohm full range drivers. I was hoping to have the option connecting speaker 1 to speaker 2, OR also be able to connect them each off their own channel . So what I'm trying to figure out is if I can wire a jumper output jack from speaker 1 to speaker 2, and if it would be safe and correct. The reason I want to chain them is for very small spaces, I want to be able to stack them for a minimum footprint size. So think I got the wiring down to make a 6 ohm cabinet, but not sure how to connect them together if possible. I think if I did a parallel it would result in 3 ohms which might not be desirable.

[Bruce Weldy]

I'm attempting to make 2 small line arrays, they are 4" wide and 36" tall, Each will have 6 4 ohm full range drivers. I was hoping to have the option connecting speaker 1 to speaker 2, OR also be able to connect them each off their own channel . So what I'm trying to figure out is if I can wire a jumper output jack from speaker 1 to speaker 2, and if it would be safe and correct. The reason I want to chain them is for very small spaces, I want to be able to stack them for a minimum footprint size. So think I got the wiring down to make a 6 ohm cabinet, but not sure how to connect them together if possible. I think if I did a parallel it would result in 3 ohms which might not be desirable.

Ok.....gotcha'

If each cab will end up with a 6 ohm load, then you can daisy-chain (which in this case means parallel) by just using a standard jack plate with two jacks. Wire the speakers to one jack and then jumper from there to the other jack. Do the same on the other cabinet.

When you plug the two together, you'll get a 3 ohm load.

So, the next question is - what amp are you driving them with? As mentioned before, if it's 2 ohm capable, then you are good to go.

Based on the questions you are asking here, you don't want to even attempt any kind of series wiring configuration between the two cabinets. Keep it simple.

Why not just run each cab off one side of the amp? Or, are channels a limitation?

Tell us what amp you are using and we can go from there.

[johns811]

Well I was hoping to run small sub off one channel, and the array off the other. This is for really tight spaces or low power applications. My amp is a inexpensive Pyle amp, which has worked very well for me but does not appear to be rated for 3 ohms, the specs stop at 4. It appears to have some of limit protection built it, I guess I can try it at 3 ohm and see what happens unless there is risk of killing it which then I probably should just forget about it. This is not for big high power application, something small I can pack in the back seat or trunk a car. I have plate amp laying around I could probably use for the sub. Then again maybe just 1 array would be plenty.

Appreciate the help!

Not sure if it matters but these are drivers http://www.parts-express.com/grs-3fr-4- ... m--292-436

[Tom Smit]

May I make a suggestion? Make a box where it's input is from one channel of the amp. There would be two outputs where each line array cab would plug into it's own output terminal. Now, here is the "tricky" part: the two outputs are actually wired in series. Input +ve goes to outut "1" +ve, output "1" -ve goes to output "2" +ve, output "2" -ve goes to input -ve.

I hope I haven't confused you. If it's too much, don't do it.

[Tom Smit]

This site has a lot of DIY info:
http://www.colomar.com/Shavano/construction.html
Use at own risk. Understand it before you do it.

[johns811]

May I make a suggestion? Make a box where it's input is from one channel of the amp. There would be two outputs where each line array cab would plug into it's own output terminal. Now, here is the "tricky" part: the two outputs are actually wired in series. Input +ve goes to outut "1" +ve, output "1" -ve goes to output "2" +ve, output "2" -ve goes to input -ve.

I hope I haven't confused you. If it's too much, don't do it.

I get this mostly! What does this do with ohm rating, 12 ohm if used (assuming 6 ohm per cab)? I was thinking I could put a similar circuit inside speaker 1.
Thanks again for the suggestion! Most appreciated.

[NukePooch]

I'm attempting to make 2 small line arrays, they are 4" wide and 36" tall, Each will have 6 4 ohm full range drivers.I was hoping to have the option connecting speaker 1 to speaker 2, OR also be able to connect them each off their own channel....So think I got the wiring down to make a 6 ohm cabinet.

I'm missing something here...how do you take one 4 ohm driver and end up with a 6 ohm cabinet?

[johns811]

I'm attempting to make 2 small line arrays, they are 4" wide and 36" tall, Each will have 6 4 ohm full range drivers.I was hoping to have the option connecting speaker 1 to speaker 2, OR also be able to connect them each off their own channel....So think I got the wiring down to make a 6 ohm cabinet.

I'm missing something here...how do you take one 4 ohm driver and end up with a 6 ohm cabinet?

6 o

I'm trying to wire 6 4ohm drivers, the way I understand it with 3 sets of 2 the math would be 4ohm * (3/2) which would be 6 ohm cabinet.

[Rick James]

Why didn't you just build SLAs?