Supporting Horn Driver

[mpm32]

I am fixing a pair of PA speaks for a friend. One of the horn drivers are blown and we ordered 2 so both will match. The old cheap unmarked driver had a threaded hole in the back so when threaded onto the horn lens and screwed to a bracket inside the cabinet, it would be supported.

The new horn drivers are shorter and have no threaded hole in the back. In fact I don't recall seeing any replacement drivers with this feature.

I would like to support the new drivers somehow as I am sure a few good drops of the cabinet might crack the plastic horn lens with 4 lbs hanging unsupported off of the end.

Anyone have any ideas of how to support the driver? Tried and tested solutions?



PS - These will be temporary until I get a chance to build me some DR250's.

[Ron K]

I've seen older boxes with a metal strap inside. Screwed to the top of the box and wrapped around the driver circumference.Like a u-bolt only a strap.

[SoundInMotionDJ]

I've seen older boxes with a metal strap inside. Screwed to the top of the box and wrapped around the driver circumference.Like a u-bolt only a strap.

Look for "plumbers tape". I've seen that used exactly as Ron described.

--Stan Graves

[mpm32]

Excellent. Last night I thought something like that might work and now you guys confirmed it.


Thanks

[jcmbowman]

Usually the older boxes I've seen with straps were for permanent install. The touring boxes I've seen either had a custom cut wood brace that supported the magnet all the way around, or two or more metal straps - on attached to the top, one attached to the bottom. Unless you're dead certain that your boxes will only ever be lifted one way and stored one way, you need to brace it in all directions if you're that concerned about it being a problem.


Just my $.02

[bgavin]

Some guys test these by letting them fall out the truck tailgate on the freeway.
This pretty much insures that the internal parts will be subjected to gravity and intertial forces in all possible orientations.

I have a set of JBL 2345 bi-radials enclosed in their own box. These are the 7x23x16 aluminum jobs that weigh 16 pounds without driver. I have a generous BB wood block sized to fit under the throat standoff to position the horn. The horn is securely lashed down to this block which is PL'ed into the BB enclosure. It is also securely mounted at the mouth sides and top/bottom.

I can't see doing all the work to build the box, only to have it self-destruct by letting the internals come loose.

[N.Webber]

Have a look at the wood brace I did in these monitors I built:
Empty:


Loaded:

[mpm32]

Excellent idea. I think I am going to use a variation of that idea. The old driver is longer than the new Selenium drivers and there is a metal bracket that they were attached to. I am going to make a an open ended box that the driver will fit into and then bolt it from behind to the bracket.

Thanks for all of the ideas.

[Dave Non-Zero]

Have a look at the wood brace I did in these monitors I built:

Man you make some mighty fine wood products Mr Webber!