the min. volume of this PAM8403 Audio Amplifier (1) is too high, how to lower it?

Thread Starter

LAOADAM

Joined Nov 21, 2018
956
Hi all.
I used the (1) for Audio Amplifier from ESP32 RADIO. The minimum volume is kind of too high, how to do with this?
and is it OK to replace the green potentiometer by a smaller one like (2)?
r/esp32 - the minimum volume of this PAM8403 Audio Amplifier (1) is too high, cause of the input volume is kind of high, anyway to lower it?
r/esp32 - the minimum volume of this PAM8403 Audio Amplifier (1) is too high, cause of the input volume is kind of high, anyway to lower it?

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Dodgydave

Joined Jun 22, 2012
11,395
The circuit uses a dual 10K volume control, so I would attenuate the inputs with two 10 K presets , then you can adjust the level to suit.

The inputs are grounded on the minimum setting, so maybe it's wired wrong.

Simple-PAM8403-Audio-Amplifier-Circuit.jpg
 

Thread Starter

LAOADAM

Joined Nov 21, 2018
956

Thread Starter

LAOADAM

Joined Nov 21, 2018
956
No. Leave the green pot where it is. Put a voltage divider on the inputs to the amplifier.
I used 4.7K+4.7K made it.
Thanks.

The green pot is kind of too large for my design.
I saw a LM386 amp used normal pot?
386.JPG
 
Last edited:

crutschow

Joined Mar 14, 2008
38,316
The green pot is kind of too large for my design.
I saw a LM386 amp used normal pot?
You can use a physically smaller pot but, since the PAM8403 is a stereo amp, you need a dual pot.
They are all "normal" pots.

The LM386 is a mono amp so needs only a single-gang pot.
 

MisterBill2

Joined Jan 23, 2018
27,160
The simple and safe way to reduce the minimum output level requires TWO resistors per channel. At the tree input connection points that I see in post #1, connect a 10K ohm resistor between the input and the center "G" point. Then, connect another 10K ohm resistor between the input point and your signal source. That should provide a good reduction.

As for a suitable replacement control, you need to show us the underside of the PCB.
A second option is to add an external variable control that is the size you choose , and then use that control to adjust the output level.
 

BobTPH

Joined Jun 5, 2013
11,463
The simple and safe way to reduce the minimum output level requires TWO resistors per channel. At the tree input connection points that I see in post #1, connect a 10K ohm resistor between the input and the center "G" point. Then, connect another 10K ohm resistor between the input point and your signal source. That should provide a good reduction.

As for a suitable replacement control, you need to show us the underside of the PCB.
A second option is to add an external variable control that is the size you choose , and then use that control to adjust the output level.
The question is why the original control is malfunctioning.
 

MisterBill2

Joined Jan 23, 2018
27,160
The question is why the original control is malfunctioning.
First, for some applications, a volume control that will reduce to zero is a very poor choice. An alarm announcement system is an example of that. The communications system in a police car is another example. so is a baby monitor receiver.
So the ability to reduce the level may be very intentionally limited.
I asked for a view of the solder side of the PCB because that is where we could see if there were series resistors added at the "bottom" of the gain control. That would be the common way to set the minimum level.

One more thing: comparing the variable pot installed on the circuit board with the proposed replacement, do you see any possible way that could be done without it being a really "cobbled" job???
 

Audioguru again

Joined Oct 21, 2019
6,826
The datasheet for the PAM8403 amplifier says when it is powered from 5.0V and drives 4 ohm speakers its output is 3W per channel when it is clipping like crazy with 10% distortion.
Its output is 2W per channel into 4 ohm speakers when it is hifi with no clipping distortion and is 1.2W per channel into 8 ohm speakers.

I agree that your volume control or its wiring is defective. It should produce no output signal when turned down.
 

MisterBill2

Joined Jan 23, 2018
27,160
The datasheet for the PAM8403 amplifier says when it is powered from 5.0V and drives 4 ohm speakers its output is 3W per channel when it is clipping like crazy with 10% distortion.
Its output is 2W per channel into 4 ohm speakers when it is hifi with no clipping distortion and is 1.2W per channel into 8 ohm speakers.

I agree that your volume control or its wiring is defective. It should produce no output signal when turned down.
If you choose to reduce the output to zero, SWITCH IT OFF!!!
Either sounds are to be heard or switched off. Playing sound to "drown out the silence" is often rather irksome to those who find the really awful, horrible junk passed off as "beautiful music" because it includes violins really bothersome.
The TS has never mentioned how loud the minimum level actually is, and the fact is that not everybody has perfect hearing, able to hear a mouses heartbeat from ten feet away, thru a closed door.
And still, the amplifier maybe designed to produce minimum level.
 

MisterBill2

Joined Jan 23, 2018
27,160
Thanks.
learned it.
The amplifier in post #1 uses a 16 pin IC, which is certainly NOT an LM386. Also, the volume control pot is not even slightly similar in appearance to the proposed replacement.
Besides that, at least in battery powered systems, turning the volume down to inaudible is a certain way to waste battery power. So not being able to leave it powered but not delivering any useful sound is not a malfunction at all.
 
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