I plan to build speakers with three LM3883 amps built into the speaker stands along with an active x-over. The stands will be made of wood and I would like to avoid using a separate metal box to hold the amps and power supply. What are the issues, especially safety ground related, with building in a non-metalic chassis? Everything I've read regarding grounding assumes you have a metal case to connect the ground lead from the main power.
Thanks
Thanks
I am doing something similar to you, but avoiding the grounding concerns.
My underbelly is thick metal, along with front and back. Think of a "u", if viewed from the side, the left edge of the "u" would be the front and the right edge of the "u" the back.
The top (and sides) is made of hardwood. Similar-type "u," just flipped upside down and rotated 90 degrees, so it slides down over the "u," completing the six-sided structure.
I am putting a groove in the wood to accept the raised front and back of the metal chassis. It should hold nicely with friction, but I can always place some kind of a hold-down tab in there to secure it.
Advantages: Sides and top are hardwood. It appears to be an all-wood component with a matte-black metal faceplate. Flat chrome 1" knobs could set it off well. But it is wood where it looks best, and metal where it needs to be, for strength, panel-mount-dept, or grounding issues.
Front and rear panels are thin enough to easily take panel components. I will raise it with screw- or stick-on feet. A pattern of holes drilled in the bottom and back will allow air ventilation to dissipate heat past the sinks.
Best advantage is, it is easy to build the amp, complete-to-finish, totally open before placing the wood "sideways -U" on top. As a kicker, I am going to make the top a light wood, like beech or birch, and the sides a dark wood like teak or mahogany, with the grain set at 90 degrees (front to back, while grain at top runs left-to-right.)
If I do the same wood pattern on my speakers (even if I have to use veneer over MDF), the whole look could be gorgeous.
GnD
My underbelly is thick metal, along with front and back. Think of a "u", if viewed from the side, the left edge of the "u" would be the front and the right edge of the "u" the back.
The top (and sides) is made of hardwood. Similar-type "u," just flipped upside down and rotated 90 degrees, so it slides down over the "u," completing the six-sided structure.
I am putting a groove in the wood to accept the raised front and back of the metal chassis. It should hold nicely with friction, but I can always place some kind of a hold-down tab in there to secure it.
Advantages: Sides and top are hardwood. It appears to be an all-wood component with a matte-black metal faceplate. Flat chrome 1" knobs could set it off well. But it is wood where it looks best, and metal where it needs to be, for strength, panel-mount-dept, or grounding issues.
Front and rear panels are thin enough to easily take panel components. I will raise it with screw- or stick-on feet. A pattern of holes drilled in the bottom and back will allow air ventilation to dissipate heat past the sinks.
Best advantage is, it is easy to build the amp, complete-to-finish, totally open before placing the wood "sideways -U" on top. As a kicker, I am going to make the top a light wood, like beech or birch, and the sides a dark wood like teak or mahogany, with the grain set at 90 degrees (front to back, while grain at top runs left-to-right.)
If I do the same wood pattern on my speakers (even if I have to use veneer over MDF), the whole look could be gorgeous.
GnD
dhenryp your equipment does not have to a ground connected to it but the mains should be connected and fused in a safe matter inwhich it will protect your house hold wiring and your equipment....it just comes down to common sense
DIRT®
DIRT®
I make all of my GC cabs out of wood, however i use battery P/S and line the iside with copper foil then ground the foil to keep out Rf
signals.
ron
signals.
ron
Active Speaker Feaver
As these projects come together PLEASE post pictures. Active speakers are great.
I spent some time listening to a friends KRK's this afternoon.
-Dave
As these projects come together PLEASE post pictures. Active speakers are great.
I spent some time listening to a friends KRK's this afternoon.
-Dave
wooden cab for GC
In the process of setting up a new puter so this link may work to my old webtv site.
http://community.webtv.net/roncla/nope
ron
In the process of setting up a new puter so this link may work to my old webtv site.
http://community.webtv.net/roncla/nope
ron
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