Thread: Animated Talking Busts - Fixing the loud volume

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I love my animated talking busts I bought at Sams Club last year, but they were just too loud to use where I wanted them and they had no volume adjustment. Failing to tone them down enough by covering the speakers with styrofoam, I finally added a volume control. Here's how:

1. I bought two mini volume controls at Radio Shack (part #271-0215, $3.70 each)
2. Next, open the back of each talking bust.
3. The volume control has 3 terminals. Looking at if from the back, they're numbered 1-2-3 left to right.
4. Remove one wire from the speaker and solder it to terminal 3.
5. Solder a jumper wire from terminal 2 to the speaker where you removed the wire in step 4.
6. Drill a hole to mount the volume control.
7. Mount the volume control. This control has a very short throw to go from silent to full blast so you will need to carefully nudge it to the desired volume.

There are photos attached. Try as I might, I couldn't get them in order! They illustrate the steps listed.

Way cool fix,they are way too loud!thanks

Hope it helps. This halloween we were able to place them right near the door without drowning out the "Trick or treat."

Me too,I'm going to hit RS sometime today.The bust are sitting on my work bench waiting for me.