Community Forums

zabooda · 01-29-2011, 02:15 AM

I was hoping to find a 12 volt 5.1 car amplifier with a HDMI connection and be able to switch between the car head unit and a DVD player so I can utilize the Polk speakers I installed up front and at the back of the kitchen and a 12 volt subwoofer amp and speaker. The only way I can make this work is to have a 12 gang rotary switch with a three position selector with the center position being off for both system (break before make). The wiring is going to be a nightmare but it is the only way I can ensure there is no back feeding into the other unit and to protect the systems when the speakers are disconnected from a particular unit. Tell me what you think.

To LF Speaker (+)
- car
- off (NC)
- 5.1
To LF Speaker (-)
- car
- off (NC)
- 5.1

To RF Speaker (+)
- car
- off (NC)
- 5.1
To RF Speaker (-)
- car
- off (NC)
- 5.1

To LR Speaker (+)
- car
- off (NC)
- 5.1
To LR Speaker (-)
- car
- off (NC)
- 5.1

To RR Speaker (+)
- car
- off (NC)
- 5.1
To RR Speaker (-)
- car
- off (NC)
- 5.1

To 12 v Subwoofer amp audio input (+)
- car
- off (NC)
- 5.1

To 12v Subwoofer amp audio input (-)
- car
- off (NC)
- 5.1

To Subwoofer amp +12v trigger source
- car +12v pwr antenna
- off (NC)
- 5.1 +12v continuous

To +12v (Circuit Protection with no speakers connected)
- car radio power in (+)
- off (NC)
- 5.1 +12v relay coil, 110 AC hot on the contacts

Wayne M · 01-29-2011, 07:50 AM

The newer coaches come equipped that way. (Hint, hint!)

Lash · 01-29-2011, 03:53 PM

There is company called River Park in Elkhart Indiana who furnishes a multiplexing type device which will allow you to do what you want.

SlyFox · 01-30-2011, 09:53 AM

Try Truline RV in Spokane Wa as they may the closest outfit to you. They specialize in retro-fitting rvs. Give them a call and talk with one of their techs just to be sure.

Truline rv of Spokane Wa. The best in custom upgrades and major repairs.

DevonJH · 02-26-2011, 12:57 AM

My best suggestion rather then going through that much hassle would be to just upgrade the stereo system to a 5.1 surround in dash dvd system. Then you can listen to music or watch dvd's whatever you want to do right from the same system without trying to get a switching system like that running. A typical in-dash dvd will have video out that you could plug into your standard tv even so you dont have to watch the small screen.

I'm one for jerry riggin dont get me wrong, but when it comes down to how much im going to use it vs how much of a pain its gonna be, I'd take the pricier road on this one.

Pusherman · 02-26-2011, 02:02 PM

This company (River Park Electronics) makes the mobile audio switching systems and amplifiers for the RV industry (OEM for Winnebago).

Give them a call. They may have a product which will do what you're interested in;

Here: River Park, Products System Integration RiverPark

Midniteoyl · 02-26-2011, 03:26 PM

Something like this?

Dayton TS-4 4 Pair Speaker Switch With Impedance Protection

Simple A/B switch...

zabooda · 02-26-2011, 09:09 PM

Thanks for the replies. I will probably make this a future project and hopefully there will be an in dash 5.1 Am/FM/Blu-Ray/everything else in the world/ so I could eliminate the switching and a separate surround sound system. I called a local stereo shop and there are none with an HDMI output for a TV. If you know of any let me know as I would expect the demand for this would be rather low.

DevonJH · 02-27-2011, 04:44 AM

ah the things we dream up. Odd how they can make surround sound for the car but can't give us a good video connector coming out. Hopefully they get something going soon. Especially if they make those in-wall dvd/stereo/alarm clock systems for RVers. All they have to do is bring it up to the modern age for all the RV's that have the big fancy TV's. Cmon manufacturers, get with the times