varying values in crossover from specified

pjpoes · 28th December 2006, 01:53 PM

Hey I have a question. I'm trying to get the parts I need for a crossover design I have, and I can't find the exact values I need. How big a deal is it to vary from those values a bit. For example I need a 3 uH inductor, but all I can find are 2.8's and 3.2's. Similar problem with capacitors, such as needing 6uf's even and only finding 6.2. Is that going to cause any real big problems, or just slight deviations. Again, is this one of those deals where matching the left and right is more important than matching the exact values? Thanks.

ocool_15 · 28th December 2006, 02:16 PM

I am not sure you meant uH as you would normally be using mH for crossovers.

You can get 3mH inductors pretty easy, try parts express. Parts you buy will have a tolerance also. a 3mH +-3% could be 3.09mH to 2.91mH.

Caps values are easier. You can run several in parrallel to obtain the correct value. 1+1+4

You can buy the larger value inductor and unwind it to 3mH. Inductors put in series will add the 2 values but for several reasons you won't see this done.

FullThrottleRic · 28th December 2006, 02:18 PM

As long as you arn't waaaaaaaay off you probably won't tell much difference between exact and approximate values. If you can't find the exact value of a component you can add them togeather, for example your 6.2uF capacitor could be a 4uF and 2.2uF in parallel.

Also remember a lot of components have either a 5% or 10% tolerance so if you were to get a "6.2uF" with a 10% tolerence, it could potentially be a 5.58uF or 6.82uF.
The only way to know for sure is to either buy low tolerence components or hand pick and measure them yourself, otherwise you might think you have accurate crossover but might actually be miles off

pjpoes · 28th December 2006, 02:30 PM

Thanks, so sounds like I could get away with being a little off. Also sounds like I could combine caps to get closer if I'm having trouble.

I can get the values I need in cheaper parts, but I wanted to use some specific parts, and couldn't find the exact values I needed. I wanted to try the new Parts Express Jantzen C core inductors for the higher value, and copp foil for the lower values. I also wanted to use Clarity Cap SA caps for the caps, and so the values are a bit limited. Thanks.

28th December 2006, 01:53 PM	#1
pjpoes diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New York	varying values in crossover from specified Hey I have a question. I'm trying to get the parts I need for a crossover design I have, and I can't find the exact values I need. How big a deal is it to vary from those values a bit. For example I need a 3 uH inductor, but all I can find are 2.8's and 3.2's. Similar problem with capacitors, such as needing 6uf's even and only finding 6.2. Is that going to cause any real big problems, or just slight deviations. Again, is this one of those deals where matching the left and right is more important than matching the exact values? Thanks.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Electronic Crossover frequency values for 2-way speakers?	Brit01	Multi-Way	8	27th July 2008 09:58 PM
leap design crossover values	scottericsonon	Multi-Way	9	26th November 2007 08:58 PM
Inductor values in crossover?	googler	Multi-Way	1	3rd August 2005 03:50 PM
help with inductor values on legacy crossover?	confused	Car Audio	0	14th March 2004 08:10 PM
Determining crossover values	Peter vdP	Parts	2	12th November 2003 12:26 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

28th December 2006, 02:16 PM	#2
ocool_15 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: sk	I am not sure you meant uH as you would normally be using mH for crossovers. You can get 3mH inductors pretty easy, try parts express. Parts you buy will have a tolerance also. a 3mH +-3% could be 3.09mH to 2.91mH. Caps values are easier. You can run several in parrallel to obtain the correct value. 1+1+4 You can buy the larger value inductor and unwind it to 3mH. Inductors put in series will add the 2 values but for several reasons you won't see this done.

28th December 2006, 02:18 PM	#3
FullThrottleRic diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Leeds, UK	As long as you arn't waaaaaaaay off you probably won't tell much difference between exact and approximate values. If you can't find the exact value of a component you can add them togeather, for example your 6.2uF capacitor could be a 4uF and 2.2uF in parallel. Also remember a lot of components have either a 5% or 10% tolerance so if you were to get a "6.2uF" with a 10% tolerence, it could potentially be a 5.58uF or 6.82uF. The only way to know for sure is to either buy low tolerence components or hand pick and measure them yourself, otherwise you might think you have accurate crossover but might actually be miles off

28th December 2006, 02:30 PM	#4
pjpoes diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New York	Thanks, so sounds like I could get away with being a little off. Also sounds like I could combine caps to get closer if I'm having trouble. I can get the values I need in cheaper parts, but I wanted to use some specific parts, and couldn't find the exact values I needed. I wanted to try the new Parts Express Jantzen C core inductors for the higher value, and copp foil for the lower values. I also wanted to use Clarity Cap SA caps for the caps, and so the values are a bit limited. Thanks.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)