Difficulty
Moderate
Steps
14
Time Required
45 minutes - 1 hour
Sections
1
- Volume Control
- 14 steps
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BackCreative Gigaworks T3 2.1 Speakers
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Introduction
A faulty potentiometer will cause some or all of these problems :
- Random changes of volumeFluctuations in volumeAuto-off no longer worksAuto-off switches the device on and off randomly
What you need
Step 1
Requirements
- Soldering iron
- Solder
- Small Philips screwdriver
- Cutting pliers
- Super glue
- New potentiometer (see details for purchase link)
- (Optional) Adjustable wrench
Soldering iron
Solder
Small Philips screwdriver
Cutting pliers
Super glue
New potentiometer (see details for purchase link)
(Optional) Adjustable wrench
1024
Step 2
Pull off volume knob
- Unplug your speakers and make sure they aren’t powered
- Unplug the volume control cable from the bass speaker.
- Pull up firmly to break the glue securing the knob
Unplug your speakers and make sure they aren’t powered
Unplug the volume control cable from the bass speaker.
Pull up firmly to break the glue securing the knob
Step 3
Remove nut and washer
- Unscrew nut
- Remove washer
Unscrew nut
Remove washer
Step 4
Remove plastic cover
- Unscrew the 3 small screws
- Remove plastic cover
Unscrew the 3 small screws
Remove plastic cover
Step 5
Disconnect cable
- Remove the circuit board from the base
- Unplug the white plug under the circuit board
Remove the circuit board from the base
Unplug the white plug under the circuit board
Step 6
Remove old potentiometer
- Cut the legs of the potentiometer to separate it from the circuit board
Cut the legs of the potentiometer to separate it from the circuit board
Step 7
Remove remaining parts of potentiometer
- The legs of the old potentiometer will still be soldered to the board
- Use the soldering iron to soften the solder and push the legs out the other side.
- Alternatively, you can use the pliers to hold the board by the tip of a leg while you heat up the solder. The board will then release and fall down.
- Repeat until you have removed all the legs from the board.
The legs of the old potentiometer will still be soldered to the board
Use the soldering iron to soften the solder and push the legs out the other side.
Alternatively, you can use the pliers to hold the board by the tip of a leg while you heat up the solder. The board will then release and fall down.
Repeat until you have removed all the legs from the board.
Step 8
Prepare the new potentiometer for soldering
- The new potentiometer might not have its legs aligned to the contact points.
- Bend the legs until they align properly
- The legs will also be too long to place the potentiometer level to the board. Cut the legs to the right length for all legs to touch the contact points while keeping the potentiometer level and close to the circuit board.
The new potentiometer might not have its legs aligned to the contact points.
Bend the legs until they align properly
The legs will also be too long to place the potentiometer level to the board. Cut the legs to the right length for all legs to touch the contact points while keeping the potentiometer level and close to the circuit board.
Step 9
Put the potentiometer in place
- Hold the potentiometer firmly to the board and heat up the solder to allow the legs to set into place. Start with the two large legs.
- Repeat the process progressively until the potentiometer has sunken a little into the circuit board holes and is level.
- This step is just to position the potentiometer, the contacts don’t have to be perfect.
Hold the potentiometer firmly to the board and heat up the solder to allow the legs to set into place. Start with the two large legs.
Repeat the process progressively until the potentiometer has sunken a little into the circuit board holes and is level.
This step is just to position the potentiometer, the contacts don’t have to be perfect.
Step 10
Check the potentiometer is well positionned
- Temporarily replace the plastic cover to ensure the potentiometer is well positionned.
- Screw the 3 small screws to ensure everything fits.
- Remove screws and cover again.
Temporarily replace the plastic cover to ensure the potentiometer is well positionned.
Screw the 3 small screws to ensure everything fits.
Remove screws and cover again.
Step 11
Solder the potentiometer to the circuit board
- Solder the legs to the board, making sure contacts are good and that no two legs are soldered together.
Solder the legs to the board, making sure contacts are good and that no two legs are soldered together.
Step 12
Reassemble
- Plug the main cable back into the board.
- Place the board back on the base and screw the cover on.
- Place washer and nut
Plug the main cable back into the board.
Place the board back on the base and screw the cover on.
Place washer and nut
Step 13
Test volume control
- Make sure your speakers are unplugged and not powered
- Plug the volume control cable into the bass speaker
- Power your speakers and check the volume control works.
Make sure your speakers are unplugged and not powered
Plug the volume control cable into the bass speaker
Power your speakers and check the volume control works.
Step 14
Glue the control knob on
- Put a few drops of super glue in the hole in the center of the control knob
- Carefully place the knob on the potentiometer and twist until they align and assemble
- Hold down for a few seconds for the glue to set
- Enjoy !
Put a few drops of super glue in the hole in the center of the control knob
Carefully place the knob on the potentiometer and twist until they align and assemble
Hold down for a few seconds for the glue to set
Enjoy !
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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Cameron van den bergh
Member since: 11/21/2022
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