Mackie SWA2801z Operating instructions

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SWA2801z REPAIR MANUAL

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These instructions are intended to help restore any ailing SWA2801z Active
Subwoofer back to factory working conditions. They show how to remove and
replace the drivers and the 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.
• 4mm and 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***
• 18” Woofer (#1) Part #0010141 pages 3-4
• 18” Woofer (#2) Part #0010141 pages 5-6
• Amplifier Assembly Part #0017683 pages 7-10
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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Woofer #1 replacement:
3
Eight screws need to be removed from
the woofer using the 4mm allen wrench.
4
Keep the eight screws in a safe place.
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1234
5
6
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
1
Sixteen screws need to be removed
from the grill using the phillips head
screwdriver. Make sure the front of the
cabinet is facing upwards and the
wheels are facing down.
2
Keep the sixteen screws in a safe place.
8
12
3
4
5
6
7

4
Woofer #1 replacement continued:
7
This is what it looks like with the grill and
woofer removed. Place the new woofer
(part #0010141) where the old one
was. Follow the same steps as above,
but backwards 6 to 1. Power up the
SWA2801z and the new woofer should
now be pumping out glorious lows.
Awesome, you just replaced an 18”
woofer!
6
The positive (solid blue) and negative
(solid black) cables are still attached to
the woofer terminals. Remove the cables
from their terminals simply by pushing
down on the terminal and pulling out
the cable. The woofer may be removed
from the cabinet enclosure by angling it
to the side ever so slightly.
5
Carefully begin to remove the woofer. It
may be easier to start at the top so the
weight remains rested on the bottom
until a firm grip of the entire woofer can
be made.
Caution: The woofer is approximately
20 pounds with the weight unevenly
distributed.
+-
Push down

5
Woofer #2 replacement:
1
Sixteen screws need to be removed
from the grill using the phillips head
screwdriver. Make sure the wheels are
facing upwards and the front of the
cabinet is facing down.
2
Keep the sixteen screws in a safe place.
8
1234
5
6
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
3
Eight screws need to be removed from
the woofer using the 4mm allen wrench.
4
Keep the eight screws in a safe place.
8
12
3
4
5
6
7

6
Woofer #2 replacement continued:
7
This is what it looks like with the grill and
woofer removed. Place the new woofer
(part #0010141) where the old one
was. Follow the same steps as above,
but backwards 6 to 1. Power up the
SWA2801z and the new woofer should
now be pumping out glorious lows.
Awesome, you just replaced an 18”
woofer!
6
The positive (solid red) and negative (red
and black) cables are still attached to
the woofer terminals. Remove the cables
from their terminals simply by pushing
down on the terminal and pulling out
the cable. The woofer may be removed
from the cabinet enclosure by angling it
to the side ever so slightly.
5
Carefully begin to remove the woofer. It
may be easier to start at the top so the
weight remains rested on the bottom
until a firm grip of the entire woofer can
be made.
Caution: The woofer is approximately
20 pounds with the weight unevenly
distributed.
+-
Push down

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Amplifier Assembly replacement:
3
The last remaining three screws
are located on the right side of the
SWA2801z (holding the bottom of the
amplifier assembly to the cabinet).
2
Two screws located on the left side
of the SWA2801z patiently awaiting
removal.
1
Five screws need to be removed from
the SWA2801z amplifier assembly using
the 5mm allen wrench. Two screws are
located on the left side, three on the
right. See the following pictures and
further instructions. Make sure the wheels
are facing upwards and the front of the
cabinet is facing down.
4
Keep the five screws in a safe place.
Note: There are two different screws that
connect the cabinet to the amplifier
assembly (as seen above).

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Amplifier assembly replacement continued:
5
It may be easier to remove the amplifier
assembly by gripping a ridge on each
side of the assembly using a pair of pliers.
Do not completely remove the amplifier
assembly yet, as some cables need to
be removed first. Five cables need to be
removed from the amplifier assembly:
(1) led PCB cable, (2) solid blue, (3) solid black, (4) red and black, and
(5) solid red. Do not force cable removal or connection, although needle-nose
pliers may aid in loosening the crimped
cables. Notice their placement in the
following pictures, as well.
Caution: The amplifier assembly is
approximately 22 pounds, so please
make sure to grasp it firmly.
Side
view
Bottom
view
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1
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5a Closeups of the led PCB cable and connector are shown above. The white
wire of the cable is closest to the edge of
the amplifier assembly. The cable only fits
in one way.
1
Edge of
amplifier
assembly
1
Edge of
amplifier
assembly

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Amplifier assembly replacement continued:
5b Closeups of one of the woofer’s cables and connectors are shown above. Make
sure the cables are reconnected to the
same terminals they were removed from
(but on the new amplifier assembly).
Once again, they are: (2) solid blue
and (3) solid black. Do not force cable
removal or connection, although
needle-nose pliers may aid in loosening
the crimped cables.
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23
45
45
5c Closeups of the other woofer’s cables and connectors are shown above. Make
sure the cables are reconnected to the
same terminals they were removed from
(but on the new amplifier assembly).
Once again, they are: (4) red and
black and (5) solid red. Do not force
cable removal or connection, although
needle-nose pliers may aid in loosening
the crimped cables.

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6
Place the new amplifier assembly (part
#0017683) where the old one was. Follow
the same steps as above, but backwards
5 to 1. Power up the SWA2801z and relish
in the fact that you just replaced an
amplifier assembly. Hats off to you for a
job well done!
7Important: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 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.
Amplifier assembly replacement continued: