DC Trigger to older equipment without jack; only wire buss

msg

Hey guys,
I'd like to utilize the DC trigger feature on the Halo C2 and have it turn on a Parasound 2205A. Easy enough when both units have jacks for this, but in this case, only the processor has a jack, and the amp only has the wire buss.

I thought I saw someone post about this a while ago, but I can't seem to find it in a forum search.

1. what kind of cable do I use? stereo 3.5mm?
2. presuming I snip one end off, how do I wire it to the buss?

ZLTFUL

3.5mm mono cable, and depending on the cable type and manufacturer, when you snip one end, the positive could be the center wire, the red wire or the white wire (assuming the other wire is black).

msg

so can I just read those wires out with a multimeter with the processor powered up and the cable plugged in to determine which is which?

zane77

That would be the best wat, just don't short them together.

msg

zane77 wrote: »

That would be the best wat, just don't short them together.

meaning don't touch the wires together?
can I still read across the pair directly to determine polarity?

zane77

Yes...

Glen B

msg wrote: »

so can I just read those wires out with a multimeter with the processor powered up and the cable plugged in to determine which is which?

Another (safer) option is to use the continuity setting on the multimeter. Connect one test lead probe to the tip of the jack and the other probe to each wire end. When you get a beep from the multimeter, that will indicate which wire is connected to the tip.

msg

That makes sense. But how to determine what the tip sees from the processor?

zane77

Just measure the voltage with your meter and be careful not to touch the leads or wires together, pretty simple.

Glen B

msg wrote: »

That makes sense. But how to determine what the tip sees from the processor?

Polarity is usually tip positive. If processor and amp manufacturers wired triggers any old way (some tip positive, some negative), equipment would not be compatible from one brand to the next. Otherwise, everyone who bought new gear would be running around like chickens with their heads cut off, trying to find out if their preamp/receiver and amp triggers were compatible.

skrol

Do you use a power conditioner that has switched outlets? I am using a Monster HTS-3600II what has 110V AC trigger and 3-30V DC trigger to control some of the outlets including the power amp. In my cast, my preamp (Parasound C/PT-600) does not have a DC trigger out so I use one of the switched 110V AC outlets on back of the C/PT-600 preamp to trigger the power conditioner outlets to turn on the HCA-800II.
Stan

msg

Glen B wrote: »

Polarity is usually tip positive. If processor and amp manufacturers wired triggers any old way (some tip positive, some negative), equipment would not be compatible from one brand to the next. Otherwise, everyone who bought new gear would be running around like chickens with their heads cut off, trying to find out if their preamp/receiver and amp triggers were compatible.

cool, thanks Glen.

skrol wrote: »

Do you use a power conditioner that has switched outlets? I am using a Monster HTS-3600II what has 110V AC trigger and 3-30V DC trigger to control some of the outlets including the power amp. In my cast, my preamp (Parasound C/PT-600) does not have a DC trigger out so I use one of the switched 110V AC outlets on back of the C/PT-600 preamp to trigger the power conditioner outlets to turn on the HCA-800II.
Stan

Hey Stan,
yeah, I do, a refurbed Panamax something or other, and I'm using it right now, powering up/down with the power button that controls the switched outlets. ahhh, interesting idea - I do seem to recall that mine has DC trigger jacks on it, too, so I'll have a closer look to see whether I can control it in the way you're describing.

mufsoman

I have a similar situation with the recent purchase of a Parasound HCA-1500A amp. My SC07 has a mini plug socket for the 12v trigger, the 1500A has a wire buss. But on the 1500A the two connections on the buss are labeled as "12v" and "ground". So if the tip of the plug is positive, then does that correlate to "12v" or "ground"? I have a 50/50 chance of connecting it right. Will either piece of equipment be damaged if I guess wrong???

DracoAmericanus

The tip is almost always positive, and the ring (lower part of the 3.5mm jack) being ground, if your not sure use a meter and check it, do not allow the wires to touch each other, to be truthful it's a very easy test