I've read lots of posts regarding adding rear speakers and losing the mute function since it only mutes the front amp in the stock radio. I'm going to order my rear speakers this week, so I haven't tried this yet. But, couldn't you simply wire a DPDT normally closed relay inline with the rear speaker and use the existing +12V mute buttom to open the relay? This would essentially mute the rears by opening the circuit to the rear speakers. The only thing you would have to worry about is the contact rating of the relay, but a 10Amper should be more than adequate. Actually, you could proabably get away with a 5A, since the stock radio only produces 30Ws.


Any comments for the "experts"? Macguyver? Pinky?


David

 

I actually considered this when I used the rear channel output for my bass shakers, but it's not that big a deal with the shakers because they put out little sound and don't interfere with talking at the drive-up.

Also, factory head unit is more like 10-12 watts, so a lower contact rating relay would be fine. I haven't tested the factory MUTE button to see how much current it will drive, so you may want to look for a low-current relay coil to avoid any problems.

I know you can buy 12v relays with 2 amp contacts that only draw 12 milliamps. Check Radio Shack Online or Digikey to see what they have. Worst case email me and I'll send ya one.

 

db,

I suggested this as a possible approach months ago when a group of us were discussing potential ways to mute multiple speakers without resorting to the head unit's (especially aftermarket heads) mute function. It is certainly a viable option, but I would be careful about the back-EMF created by the relay coil being switched on and off...too much and it has the potential to fry your mute circuit. It's a solvable problem with a simple diode, but one of those gotchas that you have to look out for in these types of applications. Up until now, it hasn't really been necessary in anyone's application, but I'm curious to see someone use it in their setup.

 

Macgyver/modifry,

Thanks for your comments. I vaguely remember about diodes from EE school. Thanks for recollecting for me. I'm planning to give it a shot soon (I'm still deciding on parts), so I'll let both of you know when I get everything in. The relay solution seems so simple, I feel like I'm forgetting something. I was even more surprised to not find another post about doing it this way. Glad to hear at least two poeple have thought about it.


Thanks,
David

 

If you develop a working system for muting the rears with the stock Honda/Alpine head unit using relay(s) and diode(s) would you be willing to whip up a parts list (generic or specific) and a simple line diagram for we who are electronically challenged.

I have purchased Polk EX602a speakers for the doors and EX402a speakers for a rear panel installation behind the seats. I Will do the doors in a few days and am trying to prep for the rears sometime in the next few weeks.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

has anyone worked up the mute for the rears yet??

 

Yes...

 

way to go lucid!!

Are you taking orders for your rear panels with the mute function yet??

I was hoping for polks since that is what i have in the doors?

Let me know...

 

Folks, I got the mute function working with the rear speakers (with the stock head unit) over the weekend. I'll have details of the install and a schematic later this week for all to see.


http://dbkelly.hn.org/s2000/RearSpeakers/



David

 

Hmm... What about the sudden loss of the load??? If you are opening the circuit up... you are going from 8/4 Ohm loads to open circuit... Definately does not sound good for the head. How about some dummy loads, switch in the dummy loads when you activate the mute. And of course a diode across the coil to stop EMF backfly.


Dale