Line Array Impedance HELP

[Dominick22]

I have 12 drivers at 6 ohms a piece that I am trying to configure into a line array, but I am struggling with the series/parallel wiring. My goal is to create a single load between 4-8 ohms.

Help please! If I need to add a few speakers to make it work-I can!

Thanks,
Dominick

 

[nsgarch]

ser/par

You can hook up four groups, of three drivers in parallel (approx. 2 ohms ea. group) and then hook up those four groups in series, for a total of 8 ohms. This is the simplest combo, but there are other ways too. Just make sure you keep your polarities straight

 

[MotorToad]

If in series, they add up normally, if in parallel it's the inverse of the sum of the individual inverses. 1/(1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + ... + 1/Rn).

nsgarc is right, putting 4 drivers in series with three sets of these in parallel gives 8 Ohms. Four parallel sets of three drivers in series gives an also acceptable to your standards 4.5 Ohms.

Either way, you'll need plenty of power to make them move in any meaningful way.

 

[Dominick22]

Maybe that is my problem then?

right now I have 4 speakers wired in series with 3 sets of that in parallel.

My amp isnt making them even peep a sound?

I thought i must have wired something incorrectly?

Thanks,
Dominick

 

[treitz3]

You can always entertain the thought of an autoformer.

 

[Peter Hogan]

Maybe that is my problem then?

right now I have 4 speakers wired in series with 3 sets of that in parallel.

My amp isnt making them even peep a sound?

I thought i must have wired something incorrectly?

Thanks,
Dominick

Hi,
Four speakers in series would give 24 ohms per group. Three of those groups in parallel would give you 8 ohms total impedance to the amplifier, which should be just fine.

If you're not getting any sound, double check ALL wiring (even BEFORE the amp). Also, substitute just ONE speaker at the amp, to get rid of any wiring problems with the array, and make sure the system works with one speaker. Then replace the one speaker with the array, and check again.

HTH,
Peter

 

[Dominick22]

Thanks so much to everyone who helped me out. It was faulty wiring connections

I have it working now and will be testing crossover designs now.

Dominick

 

[JonFo]

Thanks so much to everyone who helped me out. It was faulty wiring connections

I have it working now and will be testing crossover designs now.

Dominick

Cool. Keep us posted.

What are you using for crossovers? Active or Passive, and if active, which unit?

 

[Dominick22]

It is a passive crossover and this is really just for fun as I got all of the speakers off of parts express at el cheapo prices! But hey-it cant sound any worse than what is found at best buy-right!lol I know it can, trust me...but here is to hoping....

Dominick