DIY: Custom "Flush Mount" Sub Level Control

[saturnv7890]

Hey inspired by this thread I made one too!!!
I know I'm bumping a thread as old as me (on the forum) but I figured it's a worthy contribution.

For those who don't have the ability to have a remote control that hooks up right to their amp, there are inline RCA controllers that people seem to swear by. I won't tell you it's better or worse or anything because I'm not educated in the subject enough, but I do know that people loved the PAC LC-1. It takes the rca outputs from your radio and runs them through a potentiometer before sending them to the amp, thus controlling the volume.

As far as sizing went, it was a gamble when I bought it, I thought it might be too big, maybe wayy bigger than these amp specific knobs, but I decided to go for it anyway, and it worked out great!!

Only complaint is that, though the knob doesn't look out of place next to the radio, it doesn't look great next to everything else in the car. I'm starting to look for knobs that will fit that are more incognito.


Started with a pac lc-1 and its knob, and the trusty e30 blank plate!



Dremeled out the guts, drilled a small hole in the plate for the knob to pass through. It was then held on by a nut, very simple



As you can see, perfect fit!



Doesn't look out of place next to the radio, maybe next to all the e30 stuff though.. oh well. It would've been cool to make it out of the factory fader, but I didn't really have the space to do it, and that fader is being used as an aux fan switch. (also yes I know I need the trim ring for the radio, it's on its way to my house now)

[StereoInstaller1]

Pierre, what amp do you have?

[pegase747]

Thanks Luke, do you know where I could buy such a controller with that kind of connector ??

Cheers Pierre

[StereoInstaller1]

Pierre, the controller shown is a completely different brand than the amp I am using it on.

They seem to be about the same for most brands, but I would make sure of compatibility before doing anything.

[pegase747]

Hi Luke,

What I meant is :

Many Sub controller says that their sub controller will work with their Amps.

I wonder if a generic sub controller which has an RJ45 back connector, will work with any amp that hes an RJ45 type of remote connection. all compatible ? and same pins functionnality ?

Pierre

[StereoInstaller1]

very nice Luke !

One question though.

is the RJ connection on the Taiwan sub remote standard across all type of subs with RJ connector remote input ??

just wondering if you replace an ugly remote with RJ connection, with a nice and discrete remote like you just did...

Cheers Pierre

Pierre, I don't understand your question. That is just a normal sub level controller, most of them are pretty much the same as that one.

Any yeah, that could easily be done with the cigarette lighter knob, I have done a couple of dozen like that over the yeas on many cars, including MBZ with the folding ashtray.

[pegase747]

very nice Luke !

One question though.

is the RJ connection on the Taiwan sub remote standard across all type of subs with RJ connector remote input ??

just wondering if you replace an ugly remote with RJ connection, with a nice and discrete remote like you just did...

Cheers Pierre

[Schnitzer318is]

^Now that's actually awesome! Anyone do it on an e30 yet?

Easy... gut a cigarette light housing. Affix the lighter knob itself to the sub level control knob, or replace it depending on fitment. Then fit it all into the stock cigarette lighter housing.

Personally I like Luke's idea in an e30 more as I use my lighter plug for other things occasionally.

[Mikhail Bakunin]

^Now that's actually awesome! Anyone do it on an e30 yet?

[Victell]

cig lighter sub control

[Schnitzer318is]

Damnit Luke... I was completely against stand alone sub fader control. Now I have work to do... and wire to run... damn damn damn.

I was perfectly happy using the level control on my head unit... grrrrrrrr.

EDIT: Was so busy berating you I forgot to compliment you on your fine work. Thank you for the info/idea.

[Simon S]

Factory appearance..

The only way to fly.

Well done Luke !

[Jean]

With? If it still has the shitty factory fader...get rid of it :)

[bzboardz]

e30 needs more blanks..mine are all full :(

[StereoInstaller1]

Kinda like this, eh? :)

Nope, completely different...