What is a 12 Volt Trigger? - Blu-ray Forum

Steve · 08-07-2009, 08:26 PM

I know this is a pretty stupid question, but what exactly is a 12 Volt trigger on a receiver? The model I have doesn't have any, but I see several higher end ones do. I'm guessing it "triggers" whatever is plugged into it to power on/off. Is this correct? If so, what kind of components would you plug into it? Thanks.

StimpsonJCat · 08-07-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman325

I know this is a pretty stupid question, but what exactly is a 12 Volt trigger on a receiver? The model I have doesn't have any, but I see several higher end ones do. I'm guessing it "triggers" whatever is plugged into it to power on/off. Is this correct? If so, what kind of components would you plug into it? Thanks.

Yes that is what it is used for. You could use it to trigger an external amp.

Steve · 08-07-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StimpsonJCat

Yes that is what it is used for. You could use it to trigger an external amp.

Ok thanks. So I'm also guessing then, that whatever is plugged into it doesn't run off of power provided by the receiver, but is instead still plugged into the wall. So all this trigger does is signal a component to turn on/off and nothing more. Is this correct?

I suppose there is also some special cable/cord required for its use?

StimpsonJCat · 08-07-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman325

Ok thanks. So I'm also guessing then, that whatever is plugged into it doesn't run off of power provided by the receiver, but is instead still plugged into the wall. So all this trigger does is signal a component to turn on/off and nothing more. Is this correct?

I suppose there is also some special cable/cord required for its use?

Yes. I think you just need a 1/8" mini cable.

Steve · 08-07-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StimpsonJCat

Yes. I think you just need a 1/8" mini cable.

Thank you for the clarification. It's much appreciated.

Followup question: Does anyone make any cabinet cooling fans that work with the 12 volt trigger?

StimpsonJCat · 08-07-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman325

Thank you for the clarification. It's much appreciated.

Followup question: Does anyone make any cabinet cooling fans that work with the 12 volt trigger?

That I don't know. Hopefully someone else does.

Steve · 08-07-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StimpsonJCat

That I don't know. Hopefully someone else does.

That's cool. Thanks for explaining the trigger to me.

solarrdadd · 08-07-2009, 09:08 PM

fireman, unfortunately, your Onkyo TX-SR605 doesn't have pre-outs for 5 or 7 channel out (only a pre-out for a sub) so you cant' use it as a pre-pro and send your 5 or 7 channel output to an external amp which would have been "triggered" on. That is really odd. I haven't seen a receiver for a while, especially one from Onkyo that didn't have pre-outs. You do have 7.1 inputs for analog from a blu or dvd player. I may be wrong in this if you have changed receivers, I went with the receiver in your gallery.

Steve · 08-07-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

fireman, unfortunately, your Onkyo TX-SR605 doesn't have pre-outs for 5 or 7 channel out (only a pre-out for a sub) so you cant' use it as a pre-pro and send your 5 or 7 channel output to an external amp which would have been "triggered" on. That is really odd. I haven't seen a receiver for a while, especially one from Onkyo that didn't have pre-outs. You do have 7.1 inputs for analog from a blu or dvd player. I may be wrong in this if you have changed receivers, I went with the receiver in your gallery.

No you are correct that I still have the Onkyo 605. I think that is the compromise with the 60X model from Onkyo. It decodes lossless over HDMI, but doesn't have pre-outs. The 606 doesn't have them either, and I haven't checked for sure on the new 607.

I was asking cuz I'm considering an upgrade that has the 12 volt trigger and wasn't sure what it did.

solarrdadd · 08-07-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman325

No you are correct that I still have the Onkyo 605. I think that is the compromise with the 60X model from Onkyo. It decodes lossless over HDMI, but doesn't have pre-outs. The 606 doesn't have them either, and I haven't checked for sure on the new 607.

I was asking cuz I'm considering an upgrade that has the 12 volt trigger and wasn't sure what it did.

if you couldn't find one that has a trigger system on it, it would be more important to get one with pre-out's and a switched receptacle on it too. mine has the switched receptacle on it but the 12v trigger is only usable when i am powering something via zone 2. the workaround for that is buy a 12v power adapter like you would use for a phone (but it has the 3/8mm female connection) and plug that into your switched receptacle and then plug your 3/8mm jack into the amp's 12v input and whenever you start up the amp, the switched receptacle gets power, the powersupply then puts out 12v and the amp turns on. the reverse happens when you turn it off. so if you can find one with pre-outs but no 12v trigger, not to worry! here is a link to the power adapter i use and it works great for my Emo XPA-5

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2190632

Steve · 08-07-2009, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

if you couldn't find one that has a trigger system on it, it would be more important to get one with pre-out's and a switched receptacle on it too. mine has the switched receptacle on it but the 12v trigger is only usable when i am powering something via zone 2. the workaround for that is buy a 12v power adapter like you would use for a phone (but it has the 3/8mm female connection) and plug that into your switched receptacle and then plug your 3/8mm jack into the amp's 12v input and whenever you start up the amp, the switched receptacle gets power, the powersupply then puts out 12v and the amp turns on. the reverse happens when you turn it off. so if you can find one with pre-outs but no 12v trigger, not to worry! here is a link to the power adapter i use and it works great for my Emo XPA-5

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2190632

Thanks again for the response. I'm not necessarily looking at adding an amp right away, but the receivers I'm looking at do all have pre-outs so I'll always have the option in the future. I'm looking mostly at the new Pio Elites, either the SC-25 or SC-27. I'm hoping I can get a new one by the end of the year at the latest. I'll just have to see how everything works out. Anyway, they don't have any switched receptacles on them at all, but they do have the 12 volt triggers. I've just never been sure what they were used for. If I go with one of these receivers I would like to see if I can find some cooling fans that can be triggered on and off with the 12 volt trigger on the receiver so that they come on and shut off with the receiver. No need for them to run all the time.

solarrdadd · 08-07-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman325

Thanks again for the response. I'm not necessarily looking at adding an amp right away, but the receivers I'm looking at do all have pre-outs so I'll always have the option in the future. I'm looking mostly at the new Pio Elites, either the SC-25 or SC-27. I'm hoping I can get a new one by the end of the year at the latest. I'll just have to see how everything works out. Anyway, they don't have any switched receptacles on them at all, but they do have the 12 volt triggers. I've just never been sure what they were used for. If I go with one of these receivers I would like to see if I can find some cooling fans that can be triggered on and off with the 12 volt trigger on the receiver so that they come on and shut off with the receiver. No need for them to run all the time.

cool, but, if you do that make sure that the rating of the fan(s) doesn't exceed the rating of the source (the trigger) they are usually rated in mA (milliamps)

Steve · 08-08-2009, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

cool, but, if you do that make sure that the rating of the fan(s) doesn't exceed the rating of the source (the trigger) they are usually rated in mA (milliamps)

Ok. Thanks for pointing that out.

Rob J in WNY · 08-08-2009, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

cool, but, if you do that make sure that the rating of the fan(s) doesn't exceed the rating of the source (the trigger) they are usually rated in mA (milliamps)

Yes, very important!

Since Fireman325 is considering a new Pioneer Elite receiver, I can say for a certainty that my Pioneer Elite SC-05's 12V triggers are rated at 50mA max. There is little doubt the rating is different on the new Elite series receivers, as they are purposed for switching usage only.

I was looking into using some industrial white LED modules for backlighting my setup and using trigger voltage to power them, but just ONE of the modules draws 50mA, so I am definitely NOT going to push it that way.

mtbkr · 08-08-2009, 02:55 PM

i have a 12v trigger on my receiver. i use the a/c outlet on the back for my 876 for my cooling fan though. i have the ability to turn the a/c outlet on and off as i need it. if nothing is plugged into it then i dont want it drawing current, so i can then shut it off. when the time comes for me to pick up a preamp i will then use the 12v for that. i have read through my owners manual about 100 times and there is not a lot of info on this, most of my leaning has been on the web.

gunyaga · 08-11-2009, 07:17 PM

If you're looking at the Pios then you'll end up most likely with a switched A/C outlet on the back and at least one 12v trigger. My two cents is run the fan off the A/C outlet, and save those triggers for later...

edit: while I have not seen a specific application for running a fan from the trigger, there are a couple of fan "kits," meant to run off USB power....

Steve · 08-11-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunyaga

If you're looking at the Pios then you'll end up most likely with a switched A/C outlet on the back and at least one 12v trigger. My two cents is run the fan off the A/C outlet, and save those triggers for later...

edit: while I have not seen a specific application for running a fan from the trigger, there are a couple of fan "kits," meant to run off USB power....

Thanks but the Pio Eiltes I'm looking at don't have any switched outlets on the back.

aramis109 · 08-20-2009, 12:05 PM

This is a little off the subject but still relevant- does it hurt to have your TV set to that switched outlet? I was thinking of plugging my HDTV into my cable box's switched outlet to simplify power-up for my family.

Is this a bad idea? If I had a plasma or LCD does it matter?

gearyt · 08-20-2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aramis109

This is a little off the subject but still relevant- does it hurt to have your TV set to that switched outlet? I was thinking of plugging my HDTV into my cable box's switched outlet to simplify power-up for my family.

Is this a bad idea? If I had a plasma or LCD does it matter?

Turning power off and on multiple times is always a bad idea
components die with power surges such as power on

aramis109 · 08-20-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearyt

Turning power off and on multiple times is always a bad idea
components die with power surges such as power on

That's kind of what I figured. I'll have to figure something else out where they're not pressing multiple buttons.

08-07-2009, 08:26 PM	#1
Steve Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Anna, TX 4K collection:128 Blu-ray collection:416 Trading Score:41	What is a 12 Volt Trigger? I know this is a pretty stupid question, but what exactly is a 12 Volt trigger on a receiver? The model I have doesn't have any, but I see several higher end ones do. I'm guessing it "triggers" whatever is plugged into it to power on/off. Is this correct? If so, what kind of components would you plug into it? Thanks.

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08-07-2009, 09:08 PM	#8
solarrdadd Blu-ray Prince Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Virginia Home Theater Gallery:255 4K collection:209 Blu-ray collection:1344 DVD collection:4 Blu-ray reviews: 42 Trading Score:316	fireman, unfortunately, your Onkyo TX-SR605 doesn't have pre-outs for 5 or 7 channel out (only a pre-out for a sub) so you cant' use it as a pre-pro and send your 5 or 7 channel output to an external amp which would have been "triggered" on. That is really odd. I haven't seen a receiver for a while, especially one from Onkyo that didn't have pre-outs. You do have 7.1 inputs for analog from a blu or dvd player. I may be wrong in this if you have changed receivers, I went with the receiver in your gallery.

08-08-2009, 02:55 PM	#15
mtbkr Active Member Member since:Apr 2009 Location:washington(state) Blu-ray collection:65	i have a 12v trigger on my receiver. i use the a/c outlet on the back for my 876 for my cooling fan though. i have the ability to turn the a/c outlet on and off as i need it. if nothing is plugged into it then i dont want it drawing current, so i can then shut it off. when the time comes for me to pick up a preamp i will then use the 12v for that. i have read through my owners manual about 100 times and there is not a lot of info on this, most of my leaning has been on the web.

08-11-2009, 07:17 PM	#16
gunyaga New Member Member since:Jul 2009	If you're looking at the Pios then you'll end up most likely with a switched A/C outlet on the back and at least one 12v trigger. My two cents is run the fan off the A/C outlet, and save those triggers for later... edit: while I have not seen a specific application for running a fan from the trigger, there are a couple of fan "kits," meant to run off USB power....

08-20-2009, 12:05 PM	#18
aramis109 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Milwaukee, WI Home Theater Gallery:10 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:360 Trading Score:18	This is a little off the subject but still relevant- does it hurt to have your TV set to that switched outlet? I was thinking of plugging my HDTV into my cable box's switched outlet to simplify power-up for my family. Is this a bad idea? If I had a plasma or LCD does it matter?

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