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General Chat => Technical => Topic started by: Dav2Hoo2 on February 13, 2020, 02:53:17 PM



Title: Apprentice V5 with Emerald Driver (No Sound) Can I add it myself?
Post by: Dav2Hoo2 on February 13, 2020, 02:53:17 PM
I ordered my first saber from US, an Apprentice V5 with the Emerald Driver and I waited the 4+ weeks for it to arrive! It came yesterday, I was so excited to open it (a 53 year-old kid) and was very disappointed that it didn't have sound! My mistake! I was under the impression the emerald driver did both, and now that I've read further I see that it doesn't.

So I have a choice, I can send my saber back to get sound added (and wait another 4-5 weeks) or I order the parts and perform the upgrade myself.

I have some electronics experience with arduino and circuitry soldering, not a lot, but some. I know I void the warranty if I do it myself, but how hard would it really be to add the sound board? I assume board has to be wired to the switch on the saber (like the lights) and I know the end-cap has to be changed to a vented one. Maybe the battery has to be upgraded for more power consumption?

I'd appreciate any recommendation, I don't know if these parts come with instructions or are we on our own if we try and do the work ourselves? I've emailed customer support, but I expect I won't hear anything back for a few days because they seem really swamped right now.

Thanks in advance!

David


Title: Re: Apprentice V5 with Emerald Driver (No Sound) Can I add it myself?
Post by: firehand10k on February 13, 2020, 05:25:00 PM
That's easier than you're  worried about. The Emerald controler takes care of power distribution for the LEDs so that simplifies it a good bit. You just need to get the power from the switch to the sound board then from there to the emerald driver. Your power supply stays the same but you will want the battery pack with the speaker attached. TCSS does have a speaker mount that can attach to the battery pack you already have if you prefer. Any savings on the parts will likely be eaten up by shipping if you order from both sites. And only the Obsidian Sound boards will work simply and correctly with the Emerald controller you already have.  To make it even better the Obsidian boards, V3 or V4 come with the header and wires you need to attach it.

From what I'm seeing doing a quick build on the site you currently have a latching switch so that will need to be changed to a momentary as well. Sound cards require the use of a momentary switch. Which style do you have now, the guarded or unlit AV?


Title: Re: Apprentice V5 with Emerald Driver (No Sound) Can I add it myself?
Post by: Dav2Hoo2 on February 13, 2020, 08:35:55 PM
First - Thank you for the reply and the benefit of your knowledge and experience!

Here's some of the details from my order, maybe this will answer the question?

[Battery Configuration: Li-Ion Setup (Batteries & Charger Included)]
[Recharge Port: No Recharge Port]
[Blade Option: UltraEdge Midgrade]
[Blade Size: Standard 32" Blade]
[Pommel: Regular Solid Pommel (No Sound) [Recommended]]
[Switch Type: Silver Non-illuminated AV Switch]

So I'm guessing the easiest solution is the Obsidian board v4, vented Pommel and a battery pack with a mounted speaker? Possibly a different switch as well?


Title: Re: Apprentice V5 with Emerald Driver (No Sound) Can I add it myself?
Post by: Racona Nova on February 13, 2020, 09:25:05 PM
You should already have the battery pack/speaker combo when you have the Li-Ion setup. UltraSabers only has two types - the 4x AAA battery pack without speaker, and the 2x 14500 Li-Ion battery pack with speaker.

Vented pommel is required, as well as a change of the latching AV switch to the momentary AV switch.


Title: Re: Apprentice V5 with Emerald Driver (No Sound) Can I add it myself?
Post by: firehand10k on February 13, 2020, 10:19:38 PM
If it already has the speaker mount as Racona said you can get the speaker and poo it in there although the new pack comes with the speaker mounting and wires routed. Then yes the V4 card and definitely a new switch. Make sure its momentary.


Title: Re: Apprentice V5 with Emerald Driver (No Sound) Can I add it myself?
Post by: Dav2Hoo2 on February 14, 2020, 04:09:14 PM
You all are awesome! Got my parts on order, can't wait to install it. Hopefully the lead time won't be too bad!

Thanks!

David


Title: Re: Apprentice V5 with Emerald Driver (No Sound) Can I add it myself?
Post by: Arcinsaw on March 15, 2020, 03:31:35 PM
I'm doing something similar with the Saber I just got, so please let us know how it goes!

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