Mackie SWA1801Z Operating instructions

1
SWA1801z REPAIR MANUAL
ACTIVE

2
These instructions are intended to help restore any ailing SWA1801z Active
Subwoofer back to factory working conditions. They show how to remove and
replace the woofer and amplifier 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 #0016875 pages 7-9
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.

3
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 the front panel as
the cable is still attached to the led PCB
assembly.
2
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
5
6
7
8
9
10
11121314
15
16
17
18
19
20

4
6
Carefully remove the led PCB assembly
from the back side of the front panel. A
flathead screwdriver may aid in removal
of the led PCB assembly if it is sticking.
5
Use the phillips head screwdriver to
remove one screw from the center of the
led PCB assembly.
7
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
SWA1801z 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 the 5mm allen wrench.
3
Keep the eight screws in a safe place.
8
12
3
4
56
7
4
Carefully begin to remove the woofer. A
flathead screwdriver may aid in removal
of woofer if it is sticking.
Caution: The woofer is approximately 27
pounds with weight unevenly distributed.
*
*This picture was taken during an SWA1501 woofer repair. The same
principle applies to the SWA1801z.

6
Woofer replacement continued:
6
Remove cables from terminals simply by
pushing down on terminal and pulling
out cable.
7
This is what it looks like with the front
panel and woofer both removed. Place
the 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 the woofer. Power up the
SWA1801z and the new woofer should
now be pumping out glorious lows.
Awesome, you just replaced an 18”
woofer!
Push
in
+-
5
Positive (solid yellow) and negative
(yellow and black) cables are still
attached to woofer terminals.
*
*This picture was taken during an SWA1501 woofer repair. The same
principle applies to the SWA1801z.

7
Amp Assembly replacement:
3
Last remaining two screws located on
the bottom of the SWA1801z.
2
Two screws located on the top of the
SWA1801z patiently awaiting removal.
1
Four screws need to be removed from
the amplifier assembly using a 5mm
allen wrench. The screws are located
at the top and bottom of the SWA1801z
(see following pictures and further
instructions).
4
Keep the four screws in a safe place.

8
6
Three cables need to be removed from
the amplifier assembly: (1) negative
(yellow and black) cable, (2) positive
(solid yellow) cable, and (3) led PCB
cable. Do not force cable removal or
connection, although needle-nose pliers
may aid in gently removing the woofer
cables. Notice their placement, as well
(see following 3 pictures).
Amp assembly replacement continued:
5
It may be easier to remove the amplifier
assembly if the cabinet is on its side. Do
not completely remove the amplifier
assembly yet, as the cables need to be
removed first.
Caution: The amplifier assembly is
approximately 23 pounds, so please
make sure to grasp it firmly.
Side
view
2
2
3
3
1
Bottom
view
3
3
21
6a The terminal for the negative (yellow and black) woofer cable is located towards
the bottom of the amplifier assembly,
close to the transformer. The cable must
be attached to the same terminal it was
removed from. Failure to do so will result
in greatly reduced power.
6b The terminal for the positive (solid yellow) woofer cable is located near the center
of the amplifier assembly, just above
the four capacitors (dotted above). The
cable must be attached to the same
terminal it was removed from. Failure
to do so will result in greatly reduced
power.
1
Top of amplifier
assembly
Bottom of amplifier
assembly
*
*
*
*
*2
Bottom of amplifier
assembly
Top of amplifier
assembly
No Yes
No Yes

9
7
Place the new amplifier assembly
(part #0016875) where the old one
was. Follow the same steps as above,
but backwards 6 to 1. Remove the
serial number from the faulty amplifier
assembly (as shown in picture above)
and place on the new amplifier
assembly. Power up the SWA1801z and
relish in the fact that you just replaced
an amplifier assembly. Hats off to you for
a job well done!
8Important:The faulty amplifier assembly needs to be returned to LOUD
Technologies. The address should
be on the return shipping label that
was provided with the new amplifier
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.
Amp assembly replacement continued:
6c The led pcb cable attaches to the connector (as shown in picture above)
with the white cable closest to the edge
of the amplifier assembly.
3