Beach Radio v5! (Sealed 3015LF sub)

[m R g S r]

Took a lot of cutting and melting plastic with the heat gun, but I got the larger panel to fit inside the top of the cooler!

Taped the top with aluminum tape (stuff is super sticky) and got it ready to spray some expanding foam inside to try and lock the solar panel in place

Clamped in place and sprayed some foam in there! I'll see how it comes out tomorrow!

And re-glued the cheapo horn tweeters, the plastic waveguide separated from the compression driver

 

[m R g S r]

Grabbed the wood and got started on the cabinet.

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

Crossovers in position, mid enclosures pretty much built.

The housing on the left above the crossover is for the head unit.

Total calculated internal volume before amps, subwoofer displacement and port tube subtraction is 2.456 ft ^3.

 

[m R g S r]

So after two 11" ports made of schedule 40 PVC and amps and driver displacement, I figure around 2.15-2.2 cubic feet
With dual 3" ports 11" long that should be roughly 36-37hz tuning. That shoud do and with only a 30hz high pass I think I'll still be fine given the wattage ill be running.

 

[von Ah]

Wicked project. I love it.

 

[KMossman]

sadly, I can not see the photos

 

[m R g S r]

Grabbed the breifcase solar panel. I now have 3 panels totaling roughly 30 watts.

 

[KMossman]

Grabbed the breifcase solar panel. I now have 3 panels totaling roughly 30 watts.

CALCULATED or actual?

 

[m R g S r]

Just estimating. 2 13 watt panels and 1 10 watt. We shall see what I actually pull from them once we get some warm weather / sun here in NY.
Sorry it's 1 15 watt, 1 13 watt, 1 10 watt.

 

[m R g S r]

Two 35ah batteries in parallel would give me 70ah right?

Any reason not to use these two in parallel? (Same 50lbs total weight, both will fit in the duffle bag I have.....)
$141 shipped to me.
http://www.apexbattery.com/12v-35-a..._content=pla&gclid=CO2b8_bPu7UCFcyj4AodC3MAKA

 

[weltersys]

Two 35ah batteries in parallel would give me 70ah right?

Any reason not to use these two in parallel? (Same 50lbs total weight, both will fit in the duffle bag I have.....)

On paper, a pair will give you 70AH to full depletion.
No reason other than weight and expense not to use two.

That said, taking lead acid batteries below 50% charge (12.06 volts after a rest) shortens battery life quite a bit.
The group 27 marine lead acid batteries I used on my trike did not hold much charge after only 4 or five deep discharges.

 

[m R g S r]

Amps mounted. Trying to figure out wiring with what I had...

Made it all work. Everything secure

Front view. Ports secured and tweeter holes done.

Just barely was able to squeeze it all in there!

 

[m R g S r]

So I think I'm going to just go with 4 of these, for $240 plus shipping they should last me a very long time. And if not on this project ill have them for years on other projects.

http://evolveelectrics.com/PDF/CALB/CALB_40AH.pdf

 

[weltersys]

So I think I'm going to just go with 4 of these, for $240 plus shipping they should last me a very long time. And if not on this project ill have them for years on other projects.

http://evolveelectrics.com/PDF/CALB/CALB_40AH.pdf

As long as you pay attention to not letting any of the cells get charged over 3.6V, or discharged below 2.8V, the batteries may outlast the rest of the system.

 

[m R g S r]

That's what I figure. And ill only have the panels connected when the radio is on, so current draw will deff exceed the charging current.

Can't wait to fire this up! Might finish construction tomorrow if I have time.

 

[m R g S r]

So it looks like this battery is $262 shipped to me. With the nickel connecting bars included.

LiFePO4 Prismatic Battery: 12.8V 40Ah , 12V 40Ah lithium battery

I think I'll just do that. Says in stock too.

 

[weltersys]

So it looks like this battery is $262 shipped to me. With the nickel connecting bars included.

LiFePO4 Prismatic Battery: 12.8V 40Ah , 12V 40Ah lithium battery

I think I'll just do that. Says in stock too.

Those appear to be the same GBS batteries as I purchased from EVolve.
I like the four screw battery posts better than the single post, but the specs are not as good as the other brand.

Build quality seemed good, only time will tell how many recharges they will do.
Been too cold for me to feel like riding the bike, so have not put on any more miles since post #9.

 

[m R g S r]

Got some more stuff done. Just have to do finishing touches after this!

It fits!

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

Front view untainted

Quick coat of paint to seal the wood

 

[TMHutson]

I like the progress. That thing is awesome...
I am curious to see how the power works out.
I have friends that go on hikes in the desert.
Would be fun to make a solar powered stereo for the back of the suburban
So we can bump tunes while relaxing after the hike...

 

[m R g S r]

Thanks man.
Me too! I keeping my fingers crossed that it will be enough to play all out for a few hours. From my rough calculations it should be able to, just depends on how bass heavy the tracks are I guess.

 

[m R g S r]

Its Alive!!!

Grills on

Thinking of a grill solution for the 15". Just have to screw the top on, make some kind of prop to hold the top open when the radio is on its side, and inject a little more foam into the cooler between the Baltic birch and the plastic cooler walls.

Impression? It sounds pretty good for what it is! Plenty of bass to go with the midranges, tested to full output and a bunch of stuff was shaking in the workshop, no chuffing from the ports.

I hear a slight buzzing inside the box, gotta insulate some of the wires and plastic stuff inside from buzzing. Maybe it was the cooler walls too.
But basically just finishing touches left for her! I'm excited for it to get sunny and warm here in NY and test this stuff outdoors!