Prowler573
5,000+ posts
R.I.P. Gossamer!!
Well - there are several different ways to go about it.
How convenient each is depends on the specific resources of the individual.
Speakers are easy. Hook them up to something that has output and see if they play. A home stereo receiver can work for this so long as you don't show the receiver too low of a resistance load for very long or push it too hard while testing.
HUs and amps are a bit more problematic to test outside of an automotive environment.
1st you need some way to provide them with 12v DC current rather than 120v AC current such as found in your house.
You can use an extra car battery if you have one handy.
You can use a 12v DC power supply like I use on my test bench, though these aren't inexpensive and not worth buying if it isn't something that will see frequent use.
I have heard of people using computer power supplies to provide energy for mobile A/V gear to test in-home but I'm not computer gear-savvy enough to be able to explain to you how to go about such an endeavor.
Are you simply trying to verify functionality of some various equipment or are you wanting to run the stuff in the house or something?
How convenient each is depends on the specific resources of the individual.
Speakers are easy. Hook them up to something that has output and see if they play. A home stereo receiver can work for this so long as you don't show the receiver too low of a resistance load for very long or push it too hard while testing.
HUs and amps are a bit more problematic to test outside of an automotive environment.
1st you need some way to provide them with 12v DC current rather than 120v AC current such as found in your house.
You can use an extra car battery if you have one handy.
You can use a 12v DC power supply like I use on my test bench, though these aren't inexpensive and not worth buying if it isn't something that will see frequent use.
I have heard of people using computer power supplies to provide energy for mobile A/V gear to test in-home but I'm not computer gear-savvy enough to be able to explain to you how to go about such an endeavor.
Are you simply trying to verify functionality of some various equipment or are you wanting to run the stuff in the house or something?
- Thread Starter
- #3
i just want to see if they run. i'm planning to buy equipment ahead of time and im afraid that it may not work. so i was hoping there was a way to test and see if they work without installing it.
Immacomputer
10+ year member
Cloud disappear
Connect the red and yellow wire from the headunit to the car battery's positive terminal (+). Then connect the black wire to the battery's negative terminal (-). It should turn on.
You could use a computer power supply if you have an extra one sitting around.
You could use a computer power supply if you have an extra one sitting around.
- Thread Starter
- #5
i would have to disconnect the negative (-) terminal on the battery first, right?
Immacomputer
10+ year member
Cloud disappear
No.
- Thread Starter
- #7
bump, any other suggestions?
this may sound stupid but....would i have to wear any protective equipment on my hands when doing this since the HU is metal? and i dont wanna get shocked...
this may sound stupid but....would i have to wear any protective equipment on my hands when doing this since the HU is metal? and i dont wanna get shocked...
Immacomputer
10+ year member
Cloud disappear
............
1) There are no other suggestions as easy as the ones already listed.
2) Just hook the **** thing up; you're not going to get shocked.
1) There are no other suggestions as easy as the ones already listed.
2) Just hook the **** thing up; you're not going to get shocked.
spoonraker
10+ year member
CarAudio.com Elite
If you have an old computer, you can use it to power a head unit.
Just pull the power supply out, find the 12V rail using a multimeter, or if you build enough computers you should just know. Find the power and ground wires, usually they are red and black, and cut them.
Run the power wire from the computer's power supply to both the power and remote wires on your head unit, and use the ground as a ground.
Then find the ATX cable on your power supply (the big one that plugs directly into your motherboard) and use a paperclip to jump whichever two pins cause the power supply to turn on.
Just pull the power supply out, find the 12V rail using a multimeter, or if you build enough computers you should just know. Find the power and ground wires, usually they are red and black, and cut them.
Run the power wire from the computer's power supply to both the power and remote wires on your head unit, and use the ground as a ground.
Then find the ATX cable on your power supply (the big one that plugs directly into your motherboard) and use a paperclip to jump whichever two pins cause the power supply to turn on.
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