DizRotus Posted September 28, 2019 Author Share Posted September 28, 2019 It’ll have to go some to sound better than my SURE TPA3116 class-D powered Radio Shack FE-103/40-1197 box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted September 28, 2019 Author Share Posted September 28, 2019 It sounds very good. The first song played via Bluetooth, iPad, and Spotify was Brubeck’s Take Five. The piano, sax, and percussion were excellent and the drums and cymbals belied the size of the drivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justinsweber Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 I should have mine ready for finishing next week. Looks amazing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted September 28, 2019 Author Share Posted September 28, 2019 After enjoying it for a few hours I’m pleased with how it sounds, but I prefer my FE-103. The sound of the older boombox is more effortless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted September 29, 2019 Author Share Posted September 29, 2019 It won’t take a charge. With the supplied 12v PS plugged in it plays, all LEDs are illuminated, Bluetooth, Aux-In, and volume control work, but it doesn’t take a charge. Unplug the PS and the music stops and LEDs go dark instantly, except “charging” LED, which fades to dark gradually. With the PS plugged in and the switch OFF, no LEDs are illuminated and it failed to charge overnight. All connections were double checked and battery polarity confirmed. Suggestions? I sent an email to PE tech support, but don’t expect a reply until Next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glens Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 So what you're saying is you don't know yet whether the batteries won't take or the circuitry won't give. Or whether it's a hookup (ID10T) problem :^) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted September 30, 2019 Author Share Posted September 30, 2019 Greg from PE tech support replied to my Sunday email before 8am EDT today. He suggested testing the batteries with a "meter." After labeling the batteries A, B, or C, using a DVM, they tested as follows: A= 4.20v; B= 0.00v; and C= 4.21v. Apparently, B is a dud. Greg said it will be replaced under warranty. I should have checked them prior to assembly, but I'm not sure the problem would have been evident prior to charging. The takeaway is to confirm proper operation, including charging, prior to mounting the module into the case. The fewer times those tiny wood screws are screwed into and removed from the MDF (or even the hardwood plugs I glued behind the MDF) the better. I hope and expect a new battery to resolve the charging issue. In any case, it would be unscientific and ill-advised to do further diagnosis until the known variable is addressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted October 3, 2019 Author Share Posted October 3, 2019 The new batteries took a charge. All is well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted October 10, 2019 Author Share Posted October 10, 2019 I ordered a second one to build as a gift for a nephew. Building the second one will be easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MookieStl Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 7 minutes ago, DizRotus said: I ordered a second one to build as a gift for a nephew. Building the second one will be easier. always is! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted October 12, 2019 Author Share Posted October 12, 2019 The second MKBoom arrived yesterday. This one will be a gift to my nephew. As before, it arrived well packaged. The lower attached photo was taken after removing the panels from the foam packaging and prior to gluing on the dowels.The first task is to glue the hardwood dowel sections to the screw locations to give the attachment screws more to bite into than thin MDF. FYI, the first MKBoom, when wired as instructed, has the left and right channels reversed, This was first noted when the initial percussion on Brubeck's Take Five was in the right channel, rather than the left as recorded. The reversed wiring was also confirmed by a system test program. On this one, I'll confirm proper left channel/right channel orientation before final assembly. Now the question is whether to see if my son cares about the reversal on his. If he does, it can be corrected, but I suspect he won't care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted October 13, 2019 Author Share Posted October 13, 2019 I decided to deviate from the directions. Rather than glue the top on last as instructed, I will glue the back on last. That will make it easier to seal all the joints with Silicone RTV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted October 15, 2019 Author Share Posted October 15, 2019 Epiphany! I was wondering how to test for left/right channel orientation without having to solder and possibly remove and re-solder the leads to the crossovers. Then it hit me, by putting the back on last, there is no top or bottom to this thing until I install the feet and the handle. With that in mind, I can pass the leads through the sidewalls, solder the leads to the crossovers, and play Take Five and a test program. I can flip it over until the percussion is on the left, and then put the handle on the top and the feet on the bottom and the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted October 15, 2019 Share Posted October 15, 2019 2 hours ago, DizRotus said: I was wondering how to test for left/right channel orientation without having to solder and possibly remove and re-solder the leads to the crossovers. Just solder then either way. If the L and R are reversed, flip it upside down. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted October 15, 2019 Author Share Posted October 15, 2019 That's the plan. This time I checked the rechargeable batteries immediately. They all showed ~3.5v before charging. I'll assemble the amp/control module and test it prior to the weekend. With good weather over the weekend I should get it Duratexed and playing this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted October 20, 2019 Author Share Posted October 20, 2019 This one is also labeled incorrectly regarding left/right channels. If you care about proper channel orientation, test for it prior to gluing the last panel into place. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glens Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 The previous generation of Harley's Touring line sound system had a HK head unit with a CD player. Radio and CDs had the proper channel routing but MP3s burnt to disc had to have the channels swapped while encoding else they'd play swapped. I never told them (and never ran across mention of the phenomenon) so I guess it's my fault the final firmware download on their site, now several years old, leaves that situation intact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glens Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 In any event it's of minor consequence in most cases anyway. But John Entwistle stood on the left looking at the stage... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted October 20, 2019 Author Share Posted October 20, 2019 I won't get it done today. I still need to reach in through the motorboard holes to seal the seams where the back panel is glued to the sides, top, and bottom. I need the Titebond to cure first. I want to avoid sealing in moisture? Following the sealing with RTV Silicone, I’ll use a router to round-over the hard corners , and then fill and sand the exterior seams. It should be ready for DuraTex next weekend, if the weather cooperates. The screws visible in the attached photo are attachment points for the rubber feet that will be attached to the bottom and the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted October 22, 2019 Author Share Posted October 22, 2019 The interior joints and seams are sealed with RTV silicone. The crossovers are in place. The driver openings are taped closed. Next the hard edges will rounded over by a router. The exterior seams will be filled, and the whole thing will ready for Duratex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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