Subwoofer clicks, turns on/off, there's some big mystery part doing the clicking...

[ragejg]

I use my Altec Lansing ADA 885 set as my home theater speaker set, and it works great - for the most part.

Granted, I got the set for $7 at the local Salvation Army, so I didn't expect it to be perfect, and originally I only bought it for the subwoofer.

Then I hooked it up and was blown away. Immediately I ditched my Denon (space heater) receiver and large speakers, and hope to never look back.

However, there is a problem. The sub clicks on/off, even when it's not being used. And it's like a physical click, not a speaker-made sound. I took the setup apart and noticed that on the inside of the sub box is a part that I've never seen in a sub box.... It's mounted directly to the side of the box, secured with a long center screw, and it's cylindrical in shape, about 3-5" in diameter. Whatever this part is, this is the culprit and I want to replace it. But what the heck is it? I know my electronic components fairly well and am baffled by its appearance and orientation.

For what it's worth this clicking happens whether I have it hooked up via analog or digital.

[Roadhog]

relay?

[Redeemed]

fuse? No idea honestly, any chance you could put up some pics of it? For PC Speakers the amp is usually inside the sub box. So likely it has something to do with your amp...?

Pics would definitely help. Oh, and how much for the Denon and speakers?

[ragejg]

Someone else got a good pic... although mine's balck:



So that's a toroid transformer, eh? Big bugger.

From the generically-named "Computer Forum" (http://www.computerforum.com/152154-...ing-out.html):

Originally Posted by jceb

I had same problem. Thought it was a heat tbl. I had to remove the speaker to get at circuit board underneath. On that board is a black relay and diode combo, about 2inches square which can be affected by heat. Labeled Massouse-ME 140FF 012-2h 12v DC. I noticed that just by touching this it would cause the sub to switch on and off. It turned out 1 of the 6 leads had a cold solder joint on back of board. A slight dab of solder fixed this aggrivating problem. NOte. It was easier using a walkman or such as a input to the green and tuning to an off station. That way you can work on table or bench.

... so it might not be the toroid transformer.. hmm... AFAIK though there's only one PCB in the sub's box; I don't recall seeing another one "underneath the speaker"...


EDIT: Ahh, I see... http://picasaweb.google.com/krislema...stemSubWoofer# ... there IS another PCB in there...