Leaks THRU external speaker

[Paul0138]

I've been chasing this leak for months. I found that one of my external speakers is letting water into the slide out which winds up on the bedroom floor. I pulled the speaker today and saw where the speaker diaphragm has come loose from the speaker and is allowing water to get behind the speaker. New speaker is on the way! Enclosed is photo with problem area circled.

[Sappy2]

Yup - that will do it! Nice going!

[Lt Keefer]

Is there any kind of water barrier behind your speaker?

[Paul0138]

The speaker is the barrier. It's supposed to be water resistant.

[Scubawise]

Good find!

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Paul0138

The speaker is the barrier. It's supposed to be water resistant.

I suppose that's the secret to the phenomenal audio quality of those outside speakers... Putting sound bars in an exterior TV compartment is at least a move toward decent audio, AND eliminating the leak problem.

If you're a handy type... buy an affordable portable Bluetooth speaker to use outside, then use a Bluetooth adapter (transmitter) from your interior audio source. Then you can seal up those speaker ports... the speaker grills will cosmetically cover your patch.

[TheDustyGeek]

My first one looked like that shortly after my warranty expired. I replaced it with an identical unit I got off eBay almost immediately after discovering it. My other one is now separating just like it, so I’m going to replace it as soon as it warms up enough in the spring.

The Bose sound bar we bought for the outside TV provides an order of magnitude better audio and has a Bluetooth mode so we’ve only used those outside speakers once or twice.

Our friends have a Fleetwood Bounder and their speakers are in the TV compartment, which makes so much more sense than leaving them exposed to the elements like that.

[Sappy2]

Paul - thank you for this post - I will be checking my outside speakers in the spring. Marine grade speaker replacements we very inexpensive, and I am not planning on waiting for the leak. Thanks again! Bill-

[Paul0138]

I'm surprised there aren't more posts on the leaky speakers. I checked my other speaker and it's separated from the cone, as well. You can check them with a penlight and some good glasses without removing them.

[Jimbo56]

It doesn’t surprise me that they fall apart. If they’re not Axxera brand, they’re probably of equal “high” quality.

[knucklehead]

Originally Posted by Paul0138

I've been chasing this leak for months. I found that one of my external speakers is letting water into the slide out which winds up on the bedroom floor. I pulled the speaker today and saw where the speaker diaphragm has come loose from the speaker and is allowing water to get behind the speaker. New speaker is on the way! Enclosed is photo with problem area circled.

I've been thinking about sealing all my outside speakers since I got my Windsport in 2018. Never used them and do not plan to use them!!

[MLP]

I replaced the ones on the old fifth wheel with Jensen marine speakers. They are not expensive and sound so much better than the OEM.

[Paul0138]

I finally got my slide-out leak fixed it was the speaker go to slide out leaks to see my solution. https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f8...-new-post.html

[Cakeman]

Thank you for this topic. We didn’t have a leak yet. Was de-winterizing this weekend. Had this on my check off list. Took a flashlight could see the speaker separation… Pulled the inside bottom drawer. Go figure…. I was able to see daylight through the inside. Looks like new speakers or cover plates are in the future. Before something gets wet and ruined.
Thanks Bradley

[Elite Washington]

Those outside speakers always worried me on my last travel trailer. Just like all the other cheap electronics I am sure they didn’t use a good quality marine speaker. With all the Bluetooth speakers that are out there now I am surprised they even put outside speakers anymore.

[Paul0138]

You're welcome. Also need to put some kind of sealant or gasket around where the gasket in the speaker fits against the fiberglass, the plastic speaker keeps the speaker gasket from making a tight seal against the fiberglass.

[Cakeman]

So glad I replaced them. Mine where a mess. Only issue, the new speaker covers are about 1/4" too small. I will go over the Proflex caulk with a brown caulk to cover the paint gap. Apparently Thor installs the speakers and then paints the RV, so the base tan color shows through.

If your interested
The speakers
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EXOTD56...roduct_details

RV caulk is your not familiar best stuff out there
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FC98X2...roduct_details

[Scubawise]

Originally Posted by Cakeman

So glad I replaced them. Mine where a mess. Only issue, the new speaker covers are about 1/4" too small. I will go over the Proflex caulk with a brown caulk to cover the paint gap. Apparently Thor installs the speakers and then paints the RV, so the base tan color shows through.

If your interested
The speakers
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EXOTD56...roduct_details

RV caulk is your not familiar best stuff out there
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FC98X2...roduct_details

Great job..my brother in law has a leak in this area and will let him know.
Also your rv caulk is amazing. I have also used this for $11

Check this out on Amazon
Sashco 13010 10.5oz Sashco Sealants Clear Lexel Adhesive Caulk, 10.5-Ounce https://a.co/d/2wpQXS8

https://a.co/d/2wpQXS8

[Paul0138]

Glad you got them replaced they look pretty bad. Doesn't look like they were leaking very bad. Mine is still leaking even with new speakers.

[Cakeman]

I did put butyl tape (dum dum tape) all the way around the back of the new speakers and filled the holes with it too… then caulked all the way around… hope mine don’t leak …. If they do I’ll make a plate totally seal them… Put speaker covers back on them… And just use a Bluetooth speaker