[hovercraft]

Alright guys, I've been stalking this forum for years now and I finally have a project that truly needs the aid of you audiophiles! After reading up on and looking into the products at ED I think you guys are the ones I would like to hand my money to for my next audio adventure.

A few people have attempted to add a stereo/audio system into their hovercrafts and usually fail due to the amount of ambient noise produced from these machines. I am currently running a 4 stroke motor with my propellers/fans running at lower RPM than most. so I don't have as big of an issue with ambient noise, but I still want to be able to crank out some awesome sound. The primary hurdle here will be to produce a clean enough sound given that there will be other audio distractions going on at the same time.

I would like to incorporate a few of the e3.6 subs into the mix, but i am unsure what to use for mids and highs. Any suggestions? Keep in mind that weight is the only concern I have since it will in the end affect performance of the craft.

I wanted to stay away from any type of CD/DVD reciever and stick to a more solid state system if I could. Has anyone had any experience with these systems? From what IU have read up on these solid state recievers is that they are way underpowered and would need an additional amp regardless of speaker selection.

I am fairly proficient in most electrical as well as a master at fiberglass (primary skill used in hovercraft building), but haven't been keeping up on audio equip for quite a few years now and would like to see if any of you would help guide me down the right path.


Here are a few pictures of the cabin. I figured I would enclose the subs as far forward on the floor under the dash as possible since there is such a large area for the base to resonate in, and figured I would place some type of mid/high out under the top dash area on either sides of the glove box/storage area.

I am looking for any advice or suggestions on this install since it will be one of the first installs ever with professional grade equipment that I have seen!





Many thanks!

[joeybutts]

Totally FREAKING AWESOME idea. Hope we can get some guys in this thread to contribute.

Unfortunately....I am only here for the subscription and support

[z-lite]

lol, why is there an e-brake on a hovercraft

I'm wondering if you could make fiberglass pods either right on the dash (like side view mirrors but not so far out the side) or below it so they don't interfere with sight but possibly with getting in/out of the seat. Build a water-resistant box for a small 4 channel amp that goes in the space between the seaters and put 2 8" subs down firing all the way up front and you should be good.

[alexlindeman]

That is awesome.

I cant wait to see what comes of this.

Personally, I would look into some form of a waterproof chassis amplifier with 50x2/100x2 or so. Then run a pair of e9.65i's and run them. Then you dont have any need for crossovers on the e3.6's. Put the e9.65i's in some sealed panels and you should be good to go.

Then if you wanted to do some subwoofers, as Renzo said, I would stick with 8's. They use the same size box but will offer some more output, which is a must in this application.

[alove4242]

Alex, eD makes VSi enclosures for hovercraft, right? You've probably got 3 or 4 in the computer already...I'll probably need one soon for my segway.

Out of curiosity, does this thing run on a standard 12V electrical system? i.e. can you use standard car/marine amps etc?

[hovercraft]

ha ha, Renzo the e-brake was recycled from a car, but it has a different application in a hover. When pulled, it distributes additional power to the lift system up front since there is only one engine for 2 fans. It still is technically a brake handle since when pulled it robs thrust power and causes the craft to slow down.

As for the pods, I agree, I would like to create an englosure to go in the area mentioned in this pict. I would like these speakers to cover a strong amount of highs and mids. Please don't judge me on these drawings, I just ripped them out real quick for a reference for you guys in attempt to paint as clear a picture of the areas where there is space for equipment. Also, most of the photos I have posted so far are from when the craft was still being built, so there are a few things missing in the pictures like windshield...ect.






The entire box from front to back that is located under the seat cannot be used for anything except running wires since it us loaded with belt/drive and steering components.

The electrical system is 12v standard. Right now its running off the smaller motorcycle 12v battery, but will be upgraded to an optima that I have. I can easily add an alternator to the system if the draw is to great during or after the install. Since weight is an issue I was wondering if adding a cap might help instead of upgrading to a larger heavier battery...any thoughts?

OK, here is a list of my questions at this point.
1. What model of solid state reciever should I use? I'd like to go solid state due to the vibrations that take place and have already seen that anything with CD/DVD will skip. Has anyone had any experience with these recievers yet?
2. How many of the down firing 8" subs do you think I will need? 2 or 4?
3. I can build a water tight enclusure for an amp with no problem, is there a multi channel amp that would work for powering the subs as well as the x2 e9.65i's
4. How much space is required inside an enclosure for the e9.65i's

Currently I have used this craft for promotions for Heineken and Dox Equis. I have accent lighting and removable decals for them that I would use while on display. I'm also hoping that this audio addition will add a whole new element to the presentation for those shows as well as when I'm out ripping around on the rivers. Maybe I can park it at a show with some eD decals all over it once the install is complete! It draws in everyone that sees it!

thanks for the help so far guys, I can't wait to see how all this looks and sounds once it's complete.

[hovercraft]

One additional thought. I concidered not even using a reciever since an amp will already be needed. I may just glass in a nice little mount for my ipod touch to sit in and run a 3mm to RCA adapter right to the amp. Any reason this wouldn't work? Plus without buying the reciever I can spend more on the speakers and amp/amps!!!

[alexlindeman]

I would make a waterproof box that you can open and close for the Ipod. That way it doesnt come loose and fly out, or get wet.

[Sequoiasoon]

Cool project!!

I think ANY audio system you plan to use with amps you will definitely need an alternator to keep it fully powered and keep the battery charged. Caps still need to get the power from somewhere so I'd say no. I'd also consider a small battery charger/power supply like for RV's/boats so that when doing promotions you could plug in to AC to keep it cranking.

Don't see the headlights yet in pics but some Infiniti FX bi-xenon projectors (HID) would cover pretty much everything you need to see especially since they are small and self contained you could put them in a a glassed housing with lexan lens in front. Something like these http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/INFIN...Q5fAccessories.

Amp size and weight I really like the Alpine PDX amps plus they run very cool and the 5 channel should be able to handle both the comps and subs. I know others are making them also but these came recommende by a couple members here. http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-ALPINE-PDX-5...d=p3286.c0.m14 you could run it bridged for 150 x 2 + 300 x 1 and it's marine certified for fog/salt and has all the crossovers built in. Need more in the future they make the mono sub amps also and you can stack it right on top.

[Galant14b]

Wow....my old hometown. I don't have any ideas for your really, but sometime when i'm back in IL visiting my parents i'd love to see this!

[maltesechicken]

Originally Posted by hovercraft

One additional thought. I concidered not even using a reciever since an amp will already be needed. I may just glass in a nice little mount for my ipod touch to sit in and run a 3mm to RCA adapter right to the amp. Any reason this wouldn't work? Plus without buying the reciever I can spend more on the speakers and amp/amps!!!

That will work - it's how I test amps in my basement.
However, you will lose tone control and independant control of your sub channel(s). That might not matter for you . . . but I like being able to tweak as different music styles often call for different equalization.
So, you could get a 1/2 DIN graphic equalizer with a sub out-put / control to fix this and run the iPod into that.

Awesome idea though - I look forward to seeing pics of the install!

As for subs, I think that 4 8" subs will give you more kick to truly overcome other noise. But when you go with 4 subs, you might trade off performance by squeezing them into too small of an airspace. How many cubic feet (or inches) do you have for sub enclosure? Are you looking to go ported or sealed with the sub enclosure?

Normally I only build ported enclosures for better low end extension. But given your unique environment with so much "ambient" noise and space confines sealed might serve you better (and it's easier, and you can fit more subs in the same airspace) . . . but what were you considering?

In making a water-tight amp box, be sure to allow for heat dissipation otherwise it will likely go into thermal protect . . . Water cooling maybe? . . . perhaps you can encorporate the amp's heat sink into the shell of the box, or create a whole new heat sink for the amp.

This is definitely a fun project with lots of creative potential! Keep thinking outside the box!

[Driver_King]

Check this out. It has subwoofer pre-outs, plenty of power for your highs and mids, a good equalizer, radio, shock-protection, water-proof cover, auxiliary in for an iPod, ect. Please save your money and purchase all of your cables at Monoprice. If necessary, you can purchase a water-proof iPod case from all the money you save on your cables.

[Hawmps]

You're not going to get enough juice out of a deck for the e9.65i's. I'd use a nin.4 or other good 4-channel amp, two ch for the e9.65i's and bridge the other two for the 8"s. If weight is a factor, you might consider the SQ10 (10"), weighs 7lbs, and the e3.8 (8") weighs 10 lbs. Think about the SQ10s down firing... 6 lbs lighter, thinner, moves a little more air, and a little cheaper right now too.

You're not going to have a lot of reflecting sound inside a cabin to deal with like in a car and the fans are going to be pretty loud, so I would look at just a simple head unit with an iPod input. I've been happy enough with Alpine's CDA-9856 and CDA-9857, but I wouldn't spend the money for the CDA-9887 for this application. They can play a CD, but I rarely use it, just use the iPod most of the time. I'm pretty sure there is a special "marine" equivalent to those in their product line and you could probably find it on ebay for less than $150.

Think about trying to manipulate the iPod wheel while bouncing across the water. It is so much easier and less frustrating to select songs, adjust treble and bass at a head unit; then you can just plug in the iPod and have it stashed away in your water proof case somewhere.

This is definitely one of the coolest projects I've ever seen. This rocks.

[Sequoiasoon]

Going on Hawmps reciever thing one of teh members was selling this for like $170 but don't know if it's still for sale. http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113HD94...U.html?tp=5684 this would give control of your ipod as well. Not a marine version but I've seen marine covers/cases somewhere for other radios.

Saw some also on ebay for like $190

[hurrywait]

I agree with using a preamp/eq with an aux in, gain control, sub level, etc. and using your iPod as your source. My brother does that with his golf cart and it's working very well. Speaking of the golf cart, I though that was a cool application for mobile audio, but a hovercraft? Are you kiddin' me??? The only thing that would top that would be mobile audio for a jet-pack!

And I may be blaspheming here, but have you considered transducers instead of speakers for the low end? Again, my brother's golf cart...he's got a single Bass Shaker Pro mounted on a piece of plywood under the seat, powered by an old Punch amp, and it's *very* effective, turning the entire cart into a resonator. You could mount several of them in your hovercraft, possibly under the bench; you could even box them in to protect from the belts and stuff, since they don't really need any airspace. Some kind of Class D amp to drive them, wouldn't need anything too big because I think they like about 50 watts. Sub out on the preamp/eq could be used to attenuate the level. Obviously it's felt bass, not heard bass, so you'd have to take that into consideration when addressing the mids/highs.

Regarding the mids/highs, if the goal is for *you* to hear your music, the pods make sense. If the goal is for *others* outside the ****pit to hear your music, the pods are prolly too directional unless you can play them really loud. But you could carry around a small set of all-weather patio speakers that you could connect in place of the pods and place outside the ****pit for entertaining the masses when you weren't running. And the hovercraft itself would be the sub.

Hope I don't sound too opinionated. I usually just read posts, rarely comment, but this is *just too cool* not to join in the discussion. Good luck, and keep us updated!

[hurrywait]

Wow, is the filter written by Mormons? It wouldn't let me use the word see-oh-see-kay-pee-eye-tee, you know, the pilot station. Wow.

[psychoticSER]

I too would consider the SQ10 to save weight, still go with 2 of them. You are good w/ fiberglass, so I assume you're not using any mdf for the subs, which would make for a a really light dual 10" sub enclosure.

Bass Shakers... not ideal since you use this for show as well. you'd want people to hear the bass, not hear the hover craft vibrating from the shakers.

Optima battery / cap / altenator.
Keep the 12v motorcycle battery, don't add weight with a bigger battery... but do put in a decent altenator. You don't need a capacitator really... when the altenator is producing current, it is around 13 volts, so all the audio will run off the altenator, not the battery, when the engine is on... like someone mentioned before, add an AC plug in / convertor if you want to run the system w/ the engine off and for shows (the battery will only be drained by the audio system when the altenator isn't running).

I'd recommend:

-EQ for source
I agree w/ using an equalizer w/ line driver in place of receiver. I have this one:
http://www.hifonicsusa.com/Hifonics_...rossovers.html
(bottom pic, not the crossover)
4-band turn knob eq - simple, but just enough > sub bass + mid bass + mid + treble
seperate volume knob for subwoofer
2 RCA inputs (works great w/ ipod) w/ adjustable input levels for each
...Basically all the settings a decent headunit would have (+)9 volt RMS pre-outs (+)2 RCA inputs & sub/front/rear RCA 9v output (-)CD player (-)AM/FM
I actually prefer using it over most headunits, with the exception of high-end receivers w/ timing, etc. which is nothing you need in your project.
It was also pretty cheap off ebay, somethin like $50-60

-nine.4 amp, use channels 1/2 for stereo mids&highs, bridge channels 3/4 and run as mono for subs

-e9.65i or e3.65i for mid & highs
-SQ10 or e3.8 x 2 for sub woofers

try to get the volume of the enclosure as close to recommended as possible, as it makes a noticable difference in output.
IMO, doing a ported enclosure won't give enough benefit for the extra effort.... however, a ported enclosure would make your subs a lot louder at lower frequencies (you will have a 'hump' in the dB level at the hz you tune a ported enclosure to)...
other people can comment in on ported vs sealed, esp with fiberglass enclosure.

sounds like fun!

[TheGrizz]

Originally Posted by hurrywait

Wow, is the filter written by Mormons? It wouldn't let me use the word see-oh-see-kay-pee-eye-tee, you know, the pilot station. Wow.

You could call it the Cackpit, like you're from Boston or something. Idk, but that's all I'll be contributing to this thread. Good luck with the build, looks like it'll be cool as ****.

[hovercraft]

Wow, life has been quite a different and unexpected journey lately. I havent had time for any type of personal project untill this year. I am about to startup the project I discussed with all of you months ago.

Right now I am currently gathering equipment and supplies. I have started making templates fof the fabricated portions of the project. Most of the expensive item purchases will be on hold untill tax return gets here, but I wanted to see if anyone out there has any used equipment they might have laying around. Right now I am looking for a set of the x2 e9.65i's Anyone have a used set they are looking to get rid of? I would like to have these since the boxes will require alot of design time and I want to make sure everything fits as well as possible. Next I will be on the hunt for some type of water tight amp or enclosure, not sure exactly what rout to take yet.

Starting this weekend, and continuing throut the end of the ice season, we will have quite a few craft out on frozen Lake Geneva Wisconsin if anyone wants to come take a look at what we build, and go for a ride. It's always a blast.

I know I let this project sleep for a while, but it has just been a matter of having the time, and the time is now!

Thanks for all the advice guys!

Ryan

[joeybutts]

Awesome that it is getting started again! I have an eu-700....that's it though.....