Elk speaker wiring to outbuilding

[sda]

The shop is about 150' cable run from the main panel.   The house currently has the main speaker and 2 keypad speakers.  Not even sure if I need the Elk audio in the shop, but what's the recommended way, if any, to extend the speaker wiring?  Add a speaker amp at the panel?  In the shop?

 

[Del91574]

While overkill, the way I'd do it is using a 25/50/70V conversion and then use speakers with transformers....far less cabling to consider and factor in VD.
 
With multiple areas and audio I'd use the TWA and then drop rules into place. Far easier than playing the impedance matching game.

 

[sda]

With a TWA that would mean I'd have to take out the M1RB I've already got there.  Seems like that could have been designed better.
 
I've got an 18/2 in the pipe that I can use for speakers.  I'll try it first without the voltage conversion.

 

[Del91574]

No, the TWA is designed to be installed within proximity of the panel.
 
What it allows is multiple speaker outputs and volume adjustments, as well as being able to control the outputs via rules.
 
Going with a constant voltage and transformer rig allows you to run further distances on lighter AWG cable.

 

[sda]

Yeah, that's right.  I have an RB in the panel for outs 8 to 16.  If I put in the TWA, I lose that.  It looks like I could daisy chain the RB from TWA-J3, but if I want to switch the speakers that uses outputs 11,12,13 and that only leaves me 3 working relays (14,15,16) on the RB.

 

[video321]

Are you adding surge protection to these lines?

 

[tmbrown97]

you can also just get a separate amp (Elk 800? going by memory) to amplify that single speaker and just run over the 18/2 - since it's a single speaker in the shop I think you'd be just fine.  They're pretty cheap.

 

[sda]

Are you adding surge protection to these lines?

 

Wouldn't hurt.  You got a part recommendation that will work with the Elk bus?

 

[sda]

you can also just get a separate amp (Elk 800? going by memory) to amplify that single speaker and just run over the 18/2 - since it's a single speaker in the shop I think you'd be just fine.  They're pretty cheap.

The Elk 800 uses line level input.   Would have to use a speaker level to line level converter.  Found a simple circuit using a couple of resistors.  Worth a try.
 
The shop (3000+sf) has multiple areas.  For future use, whatever that might be, its going to make sense to have multiple speakers or at least allow for them in the areas.  

 

[pete_c]

I have an ELK 800 that I utilized for a CDMA automobile conversion to GSM / Bluetooth buried in some part of my vehicle and its been working fine now for some 13 years.