Mini Speaker Voltage

[David Marks 2Participant @davidmarks2]

My son has caught the model boat bug (or in his case a radio controlled rubber duck). He has ordered a mini speaker off the internet (from Hong Kong) which he intends to cannibalise so he (or should I say the duck) can produce appropriate duck type noises. This device apparently can be powered externally and requires a 5V DC supply. To save space it is intended to run the motor (a 385) on two 4.8V receiver batteries wired in parallel. Question will 4.8V be OK to also power the speaker?

[David Marks 2Participant @davidmarks2]

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

David

You'll probably find that the actual voltage range is very much wider than you think, and that 5v DC is specified mainly because it's the standard USB voltage and therefore most people have one. A speaker is after all just a moving magnetic coil and a nominal 4.8v supply will be fine.

Dave M

[David Marks 2Participant @davidmarks2]

Dave

Many thanks for your prompt response. Also intend trying an Action P78 speed controller as a change from the Mtronics units that I normally use.

Regards – David Marks

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

One for the home team, eh? If you fit the 1N4003 diode then you can run everything from the main battery packs – you don't need a separate battery for the receiver.
DM

[David Marks 2Participant @davidmarks2]

Dave

Yes I did have a quick look at the Data Sheet and found the modification re. fitting the diode. Will give that a try as obviously not requiring to fit a receiver battery frees up more space. The component appears to be freely available on Ebay. I think my soldering will stand up to the fitment.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

There should be one included. Let me know if there isn't – I have one or two in stock……………

[David Marks 2Participant @davidmarks2]

Dave

Thanks very much for the offer but my son has already ordered some via the internet. Qty 10 for 99p with free postage.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

10p each? A nice little earner, that. Check out the price for 100 here. I used to buy them 1000 at a time. **LINK**

Mind you, for the worst bargain of all check out Maplin's price for 0.6W resistors and then compare it with JPR's 0.25W!

DM

Edited By Dave Milbourn on 27/07/2015 08:48:56

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