Is it possible to use a stock fader switch to control subwoofer volume?

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  • henryki
    E30 Modder
    • Jun 2013
    • 960

    #1

    Is it possible to use a stock fader switch to control subwoofer volume?

    I'm pretty sure I saw a thread of how to make the stock fader knob

    into a subwoofer volume control. If anyone knows of this thread help me out!

    thanks!
  • StereoInstaller1
    GAS
    • Jul 2004
    • 22679

    #2
    I am waiting on an answer too...

    Closing SOON!
    "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

    Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

    Thanks for 10 years of fun!

    Comment

    • Derptastic
      Member
      • Oct 2010
      • 59

      #3
      It appears the fader is an L-pad (i think) - basically it's like a variable resistor designed for speaker-level power - but due to its low power handling (10W or so) it probably wouldn't perform well inline with your subwoofer. I measured and found the resistance is only 500 ohms maximum, so you would have very little attenuation available if used between the preamp output and the amp.

      You're probably better off mounting a small 20K pot in a blank plug and wiring it between the pre out and the amp.

      Here's a diagram of the audio system with the fader

      Last edited by Derptastic; 05-13-2014, 11:54 AM.
      1988 Alpinweiß 325i 4D 5SPD

      Comment

      • henryki
        E30 Modder
        • Jun 2013
        • 960

        #4
        Originally posted by Derptastic
        It appears the fader is an L-pad (i think) - basically it's like a variable resistor designed for speaker-level power - but due to its low power handling (10W or so) it probably wouldn't perform well inline with your subwoofer. I measured and found the resistance is only 500 ohms maximum, so you would have very little attenuation available if used between the preamp output and the amp.

        You're probably better off mounting a small 20K pot in a blank plug and wiring it between the pre out and the amp.

        Here's a diagram of the audio system with the fader

        thanks for the reply, I could've sworn I saw a thread on modifying one of these switches somewhere. My amp is a rockford fosgate r500 and the knob would only control what they call "punch volume" or something like that.

        Comment

        • StereoInstaller1
          GAS
          • Jul 2004
          • 22679

          #5
          Originally posted by henryki
          thanks for the reply, I could've sworn I saw a thread on modifying one of these switches somewhere. My amp is a rockford fosgate r500 and the knob would only control what they call "punch volume" or something like that.
          You sure it wasn't this thread?: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=209700

          Closing SOON!
          "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

          Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

          Thanks for 10 years of fun!

          Comment

          • henryki
            E30 Modder
            • Jun 2013
            • 960

            #6
            Originally posted by StereoInstaller1
            yeah it wasn't that thread... I wanna keep my interior looking OEM so thats why I wanted to use the fader switch knob thingy haha

            Comment

            • StereoInstaller1
              GAS
              • Jul 2004
              • 22679

              #7
              Originally posted by henryki
              yeah it wasn't that thread... I wanna keep my interior looking OEM so thats why I wanted to use the fader switch knob thingy haha
              Yeah, its a real challenge. I have spent a few hours looking at Mouser and Digi-Key catalogs, have never found any other potentiometer that was that same form factor at all, much less the proper values.

              Would be kinda cool though!

              GL
              Luke

              Closing SOON!
              "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

              Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

              Thanks for 10 years of fun!

              Comment

              • xphiledan
                Mod Crazy
                • May 2009
                • 706

                #8
                anyone figure this out yet?

                Comment

                • henryki
                  E30 Modder
                  • Jun 2013
                  • 960

                  #9
                  Originally posted by xphiledan
                  anyone figure this out yet?
                  not yet, I hope someone does soon!

                  Comment

                  • AlphaE
                    E30 Addict
                    • Sep 2011
                    • 503

                    #10
                    I wanted to do this to.. but it doesn't seem feesable due to the construction the switch. As mentioned it only has 500ohms and that's 500 to left and 500 to the right. Zero at center. I tried hooking it inline in the RCA cable.... Didn't work, not enough ohms to cut it down any..

                    SO.. yeah if anyone figure it out let me know too..
                    Now with 2.7i power!!!

                    Comment

                    • Silver Wagon
                      Advanced Member
                      • Jun 2014
                      • 184

                      #11
                      has any one looked into an aftermarket set up and use the factory fadder in place of the aftermarket knob? it will take some research and some trial and error i imagine.
                      something like these:
                      http://www.sonicelectronix.com/cat_i...l-remotes.html
                      just a quick search of examples.
                      sigpic

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