Mackie SWA1801 Operating instructions

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SWA1801 REPAIR MANUAL
ACTIVE

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These instructions are intended to help restore any ailing SWA1801 Active
Subwoofer back to factory working conditions. They show how to remove and
replace the woofer and amp assembly.
Please contact Mackie Tech Support (1-800-898-3211) to receive a Service
Request Number and Order Number for parts needed for this restoration. They will
also help you determine the nature of the problem and what parts will repair the unit.
Tools needed:
***NOTE: not all tools listed below will be needed for your repair***
• Phillips head screwdriver.
• 5mm allen wrench.
• Solid workbench.
• Non-carpeted work area due to static electricity. If available, an ESD mat
(Electro-static discharge) is optimal.
Parts needed:
***NOTE: not all parts listed below will be needed for your repair***
• Led PCB Assembly Part #0007334 pages 3-4
• 18” Woofer Part #0012184 pages 5-6
• Amplifier Assembly Part #0005687 pages 7-8
Safety Warnings:
• Make sure that you turn off the unit and disconnect the power cord (and all
other cords) before you begin these procedures.
• Always use safety glasses!
• Please try NOT to touch any of the pcb circuitry, capacitors, resistors, etc.
• Take care to read and follow these instructions. It may help to read the
instructions prior to the repair to get an idea of what it entails.
• Before beginning the repair, touch metal to discharge any lingering internal
static electricity.

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Led PCB replacement:
3
Carefully begin to remove the front
panel. The wave guides are a great
place to grip for stability and support. Do
not fully remove front panel as the cable
is still attached to the led PCB assembly.
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Keep the 20 screws and washers in a
safe place.
4
Carefully remove the cable attached to
the led PCB assembly.
1
Twenty screws need to be removed from
the front panel using the phillips head
screwdriver.
12 34
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20

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6
Carefully remove led PCB assembly from
back side of front panel. A flathead
screwdriver may aid in removal of led
PCB assembly if it is sticking.
5
Use phillips head screwdriver to remove
one screw from center of led PCB
assembly.
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The hard part is done, the rest is easy!
Place new led PCB assembly (part
#0007334) where the old one was. Follow
the same steps as above, but backwards
6 to 1. Power up the SWA1801 and led
should light up. Congratulations, you just
replaced an led PCB assembly...now go
play some shows!
Led PCB replacement continued:

5
Woofer replacement:
1
Follow steps 1-4 of led PCB replacement,
as the front panel will need to be
removed in order to access the woofer.
2
Eight screws need to be removed from
the woofer using 5mm allen wrench.
3
Keep the eight screws in a safe place.
+-
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12
3
4
56
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4
Carefully begin to remove the woofer.
Caution: woofer is approximately 27
pounds with weight unevenly distributed.
*
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Positive (solid yellow) and negative
(yellow and black) cables are still
attached to woofer terminals.
*
*
These two pictures were taken during an SWA1501 woofer repair. Same principle applies to the SWA1801.

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Woofer replacement continued:
6
Remove cables from terminals simply by
pushing down on terminal and pulling
out cable.
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This is what it looks like with the front
panel and woofer both removed. Place
new woofer (part #0012184) where the
old one was. Follow the same steps as
above, but backwards 6 to 1, making
sure to keep the led PCB assembly cable
in front of woofer. Power up the SWA1801
and the new woofer should now be
pumping out glorious lows. Awesome,
you just replaced an 18” woofer!
Push
in

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Amp Assembly replacement:
3
Last remaining two screws located on
the bottom of the SWA1801.
2
Two screws located on the top of the
SWA1801 patiently awaiting removal.
1
Four screws need to be removed from
the amp assembly using a 5mm allen
wrench. The screws are located at
the top and bottom of the SWA1801
(see following pictures and further
instructions).
4
Keep the four screws in a safe place.

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7
Place the new amp assembly (part
#0005687) where the old one was. Follow
the same steps as above, but backwards
6 to 1. Remove the serial number from
the faulty amp assembly (as shown in
picture above) and place on the new
amp assembly. Power up the SWA1801
and relish in the fact that you just
replaced an amp assembly. Hats off to
you for a job well done!
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Two cables need to be removed from
the amp assembly: (1) woofer cable
(positive and negative cables on one
connector) and (2) led PCB cable. Do
not force cable removal or connection.
Notice their placement, as well -- black
wire of led PCB cable and yellow and
black woofer cable are both closer
towards the edge of the amp assembly.
Amp assembly replacement continued:
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It may be easier to remove the amp
assembly if the cabinet is on its side. Do
not completely remove amp assembly
yet, as cables need to be removed first.
Caution: amp assembly is approximately
20 pounds, so please make sure to grasp
it firmly.
8Important:The faulty amplifier assembly must be returned to LOUD
Technologies. The address should be
on the return shipping label that was
provided with the new amp assembly.
If not, the return address is at the top of
this page. Also, please write the order
number and service request number
(ex: 1046256-1203935) in big, black, bold
numbers on the outside of the box. This
helps expedite the return.
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