976 trigger output voltage is 5V instead of 12V

I discovered that the trigger output voltage of my 976 is 5V (as measured with a meter) instead of the expected 12V. I just noticed the 976 web page says the trigger is 5V, but the manual says it is 12V in two places. I don't think this is going to be a huge deal since for my application, I can just swap out the 12V relay with one that has a 5V coil.

I've emailed support about this and I'm waiting to hear back.

That is a good catch. I would be highly surprised if it was 5V (especially since their own amps use a 12V trigger). In addition, if you look at the list of specifications on the 976 webpage (on the right) it says 12V. It appears to only say 5V in the "Among the Model 976's many features are:" section.

But certainly would like to hear their response.

Check the voltage with a meter and let us know.

He did! Says so right up there in the first sentence of the OP. I'm curious about this, too. If I ever migrate to the 976, I'd like to know the trigger will work with my 7125.

Works fine with my 976 purchased in January.

Ahh, but that info was added today, after the other posts. Original post did not mention using a meter.

With that said, it is curious why they would use a 5 Volt trigger but their amps say a 12V.

My 7125 triggers "ON" just fine with the 976...

They didn't use a 5v trigger. OP needs to call Outlaw and get a repair. The 5v accessory power ports on the 976 are right next to the trigger outlets. Maybe someone at the factory got confused.

Some of the Outlaw amps (e.g. 7125) indicate that they trigger at 3-32 volts which would work with a 5-volt trigger output so that doesn't necessarily mean the 976 is outputting 12 volts.

Has anyone else measured the 976 trigger output with a meter to confirm the voltage output?

Got an email from support.

Well there you go, then. It's a 5V trigger, not 12V. Thanks for the follow up, BryanH!

Hmmm, Then it looks like they need to correct their website and owner's manual.

This has been corrected for quite some time on the website and the website's owner's manual. It is not an HTTPS page though, so if you've been there before your computer may be caching an older version of the site. Try clearing your cache and seeing if it updates.

Dooh!, Looks like you are correct. Cleared cache and it now says 5V.

Unlikely 5V will trigger a 12V relay.

Why make a 5V trigger when the model 5000 needs at least 9v. Even the model 2200 needs more than 5v. At least the older amps are 3-32 volts.

Both the Model 5000 and Model 2200 need 3V to be triggered on. I was wondering where 9V came from - and oops, it looks like those product pages need some updating! We will have this done shortly!

Good to know.

I sold my 975 and replaced it with the 976 because the 975 would not pass 3D video. My Niles APC-2 current sensing unit worked fine with the 975 to turn on my Outlaw ICBM which has no switch. I was using the 120V current sensing feature. The Niles device does not work with the 976. I have 2 Niles unit and neither one work with the 976. They both work with other equipment that I have. I was going to try using the Niles 12V trigger input from the 976 to trip the Niles to power my Outlaw ICBM but now I read that the 12V trigger is actually 5V. My question: How do I make my Outlaw ICBM turn on when I turn on the Outlaw 976?

The Niles needs at least 30 Watts of power draw to switch reliably so I guess that means the 976 doesn't draw 30 Watts.

How are you turning on your amp? I'm guessing that if you use the trigger out of the 976 to your amp and have the Niles current sense the amp it should work. Though you will have to be careful not to exceed the max current draw for the Niles.

I only want to turn on my Outlaw ICBM with the trigger. I have separate switches for my amplifiers.

OK, I just ordered the solution. I hope! Go to Amazon and search for: loT relay. This will accept the lower trigger voltage of 5 volts. The unit specs show it operating 3-48VDC or 12-120VAC trigger.

My 976 will still not turn my amp on. Will getting this alternate trigger from Amazon help?

Note: trigger output 2 is defaulted to OFF for all inputs; trigger out 1 defaults to ON. If you are not using output 1, ensure you have trigger 2 set to ON for each input.

Not to derail the thread too much, but is it a mono cable? It needs to be. If it is, leave one end connected to the Model 976 and have the other end open-ended; use a multi-meter to ensure you have 5VDC at the other end of the cable. If not, you can always remove the cable, from the pre-amp, and check for continuity between the two ends of the trigger cable. If you have your 5V in the first place, time to contact the amp manufacturer.

The DLI IoT should also work, but check with the amp manufacturer. Customer's reported the trigger input, on the IoT Amazon page, working with 3.3V. The 976's trigger therefore should energize the relay in the IoT and take your normally open outlets and close them. Essentially, the amp has to have an always ON option, rather than just a standby state, and when the pre-amp triggers the IoT, it will then send the ~120VAC to the outlet the amplifier is plugged into.

Please feel free to email me at customerservice@outlawaudio.com .

Thanks Ben for your input.

I got the IOT relay today and it does the job. My 976 now is able to turn on my Outlaw Audio ICBM using the 5VDC trigger.

Hi, I’m new to the thread. I have my 976 connected to a pair of mono block 2200’s and could not get the trigger to work. Had to use the audio detect feature of the 2200 to get the trigger to work. I was about to connect my 976 to a 7140, but noticed this thread. Is it going to work? If the 976 only has a 5V signal?

@Audiouser,

Just to be clear, are your saying that your Outlaw Audio Model 976 can not turn on your Outlaw Audio Model 2200's using the built-in trigger connection? Is that correct?

Regards,

John

Yes, so far that’s what I have found. The 2200 has an audio signal detect that will bring it out of standby. After turning off the 976, or a few minutes of playing nothing, the 2200 goes into standby. I haven’t measured the voltage (yet), but will. I’m still unclear from the thread whether 5V is by design or is a flaw.

5V is by design. The 7140 should work as it is designed for 3-32 v trigger. The same applies to the version of the 2200 that is spec'd on the product page. Not sure why Outlaw went with 5V vice the old reliable 12V.

The 976 has 2 trigger outs. Trigger 2 out is set to off by default, while Trigger 1 output is set to on. These can be toggled in the input set up menu.

Would you post a link for for that relay? The 975 worked just fine w/a 12V automotive type relay triggering a bank of Furman mini ports. My “just arrived” 976 won’t trigger the above.

Something for the “976 dislike thread” like maybe the other trigger is 12V.

Thnx, Tony

5V relay arrived today! Back in business!

Unfortunately 976 is taller than the 975. That forced me to remove my CC EXO as its bottom is or rather was about a 1/4” above the 976 top panel. Please don’t ask me to explain the why for said location. Until my welder bud builds the speaker/amp stand w/clearance beneath for its EXO I’ll hafta do w/out a CC.

Later,Tony