robosapien volume mod

overview:

The Robosapien is not very quiet, and does not feature a volume control.

The volume control is a great first mod, and after seeing one online I thought I would have a go.

 

what you’ll need:


small slider variable resistor- 10K

The first thing you’ll need is a variable resistor (aka potentiometer). This will allow you to control the volume.

If you have an simple on/off switch you could use that instead.

Check allelectronics.com for cheap surplus electronic components.

You’ll also need a soldering iron and some hookup wire. A dremel and file set doesn’t hurt either.

note: suggest you go for a 1K or 2K variable resistor. I used a 10K and Robosapien goes from full volume to silent with less than 1/2" of movement.

 

open the plate

Take off Robosapien’s back plate, and disconnect the cable connecting it to the motherboard.

You will see a small PCB for the power and speaker.

 

Remove the speaker cover, it can be used to mount the variable resistor.

note: if your resistor is a differant size, or you use an on/off switch instead you may need to find an alternate home for your component.

 

mark cutline and dremel

Mark out the cut area carefully. Make sure to leave enough room for the component and once the speaker cover goes back on.

 
I used this dremel cutter at low RPM, and then filed down the plastic for a good fit.
After cutting. I also shaved off the slider to get a lower profile.

 

cut speaker wire


cut only one of the speaker wires, close to the header.

The speaker wires are yellow.

Cut ONE of these wires about an inch and a half from the header plug.

We will insert the variable resistor between the cut.

 

solder component

IMPORTANT: Variable resistors have 3 pins, usually the outer 2 are the rails, and the center is the wiper. You must use the wiper and ONE of the rails. If you use both rails, it won’t work (volume will not be controllable).

 

Take a piece of wire around 6"-8" long, and solder it to the yellow header wire. Solder the other end to one of your resistor pins.

Solder the cut speaker wire to the remaining pin. You should have something that looks like this:

 

attach component to speaker cover


attach the soldered component to the speaker cover

Almost done!

Attach the variable resistor to the speaker cover.

I used small screws, but a glue gun will probably suffice.

 

replace speaker cover

Replace the speaker cover. You should be able to loop the long wire around the bottom.

Close-up. Ready to go back on Robosapien.

Replace the body covers and try it out!

 

replace front and back plates.. done!

Robosapien now has a low-profile volume control, right behind his head.