Re: Receiver Control Panel


"afinpdx" <afinpdx@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1137006815.176815.220640@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Hello-
>
> I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this question, but here
> goes.
>
> I am putting together a stereo cabinet and I would like to mount the
> control panel for the receiver (buttons, knobs etc.) in a location that
> is slightly separated from where the receiver case itself would sit.
> Here are my questions:
>
> -Is this possible? My thought is that the control panel probably has
> wires running to electronics in the case of the receiver. If I could
> just extend those wires, then I could mount the panel elsewhere on the
> cabinet.
>
> -Is there any recommended type/brand/model of receiver that would make
> this particularly easy to do? I haven't chosen the receiver I will
> use yet. I have pretty limited requirements feature-wise (radio, cd
> input, aux input, A/B speaker channels), so if there is a new or
> old-ish receiver I should consider please let me know.
>
> I appreciate any help,
> afinpdx
>

Unless this is for some kind of art or furniture project, it would be so
much simpler to just use an IR remote receiver or, if the entire unit is to
be hidden, extend the unit's IR receiving module.

If you simply must have visible control knobs, read on.

It's easy enough to relocate controls, but you need to be aware that some
problems can arise in doing so -- induced noise, for one.

Use shielded cable, especially on longer runs. You *could* try twisted pair
configurations, but you *could* also be sorry you wasted your time. You
will want to add shielding to the new panel if it isn't metal. You may also
need to add extra shielding to the pot casings, depending on the design of
the original pots, where the new location is and what the controls are moved
near.

If panel shielding is required, heavy aluminum foil will suffice. Use one
large *** of foil running the length of the panel and, if need be, pinch
up enough extra for each pot so that you can wrap the entire pot casing. To
ground the new panel, simply bolt on a ground wire ring terminal and run it
to a proper receiver chassis ground. The secondary panel (required to hide
the pot nuts) will hide the ground bolt head as well.
If you need to wrap the pots with the foil, remember to first cover the
outside surfaces of the solder terminals with a strip of rubber electrical
tape. The adhesive on vinyl tape tends to turn gelatinous over time and it
can leave behind a real gooey mess when/if you need to rework the terminals.
Rubber tape is thicker, conforms well to the terminals and comes off
cleanly, even decades later. You could use rubber caulk, but it can be much
more of a hassle to remove.


Good luck,
Ray


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