DIY Bluetooth Speaker: Upcycle laptop eWaste speakers

part of ReMakeIT workshops

ReMakeIt: rePurposeful Bluetooth Speakers
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1C44tHs-uhSs0H3C-gGhp4zp6meJV31WG8CT8TZDqhHQ/edit?usp=drivesdk

Turn laptop speakers into DIY Bluetooth speakers with your own design.

Parts needed: Used laptop speakers, 3.5mm audio cable plug, Bluetooth decoder and power source

Equipment needed: Soldering iron

Project cost: <S$15.00

Introduction - When EG receives a used laptop that does not work, we will harvest the working parts and components, before putting the rest into an e-waste bin, to be disposed responsibly. No part is wasted! Here we document a process to repurpose used laptop speakers to a Bluetooth speaker.

Fig. 1. A used laptop to be disassembled. Note the speakers on the bottom left and right.

Fig. 2. Useful components from laptops - two webcams (left) and three sets of speakers (right)

First, solder the speaker wires to a 3.5mm audio jack. These jacks cost less than S$1 each.

Fig. 3. Wires from speakers soldered to a standard 3.5mm audio jack.

Fig. 4. Close up of the speaker wires soldered to the jack.

A key component needed for the DIY speakers is a Bluetooth decoder. There are several types available. They should all have an audio output, to plug in a speaker. Some include an SD card slot, some come with a remote. You can decide on one depending on your project requirement. For example, the ZZ-WRBT board on the right of Fig. 5 comes with a remote, and costs around S$10 on [Aliexpress.com](http://aliexpress.com/).

Fig. 5. Different types of Bluetooth decoders

The speakers can now be connected to the Bluetooth decoder, which can be powered by a portable power bank, connected via micro-USB cable.

Fig. 6. Bluetooth speaker set up

Connect an audio source (e.g., a phone) to the speakers via Bluetooth and test the set up. Finally, you can package the set up in anyway, e.g., into a box, as preferred.

(End)

A bit of music - The Darby Institute

Computer Club after school was "Rad", mostly playing Alien Rain and Karateka. The simple tones, clicks and simulated polyphonics were the audio equivalent of artifact graphics. One of the great joys of Arduino is a return to this audio simplicity. It is easy to get started with Arduino tunes.

https://www.thedarbyinstitute.com/abitofmusic