home audio using car audio

[NegativeEffect1 10+ year member]

ive been thinking of building myself a home audio system using car audio equipment. just your basic AM/FM CD type thing not surround sound. my question is what would I need to use the standard 120v outlet? to run the deck a amp and a sub amp?

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[ANeonRider 10+ year member]

12VDC power supply, and the right size amperage rating for the amp(s) you are using.

 

[NegativeEffect1 10+ year member]

would something like a computer power supply work? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=923523&CatId=1483

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

This is discussed once every week.....a quick search would reveal all the answers you needed........

A PC power supply would be enough to power a CD player or something similar. Maybe a small, small amplifier. For anything larger, a 120V AC-12V DC convertor would be needed, and a fairly large one at that. Expect to drop a few hundred on a good convertor.

 

[req 5,000+ posts]

http://www.r3q.net/audiohome.html

try it for yourself.

if you die. its not my fault.

 

[Hades2004 10+ year member]

I have never heard of someone asking if they could use a PC power supply for home audio. I think it's probably impossible. The reason why I say this is cause how would you use a 20pin or 24pin main power for the stuff, while you have 8 4pin perisbale *i can't spell* for hard drives and that, and then you have a 4pin power for the CPU, 6pin for PCI-Express video cards, and a AUX power cable. I don't know if it's possible to use a PC PSU for home audio. The reason why I say this is cause i've been building computers for about 3 or 4 years now and you can't power up a PSU without a motherboard to it. Even know it's plugged into the wall. Maybe it's possible but I haven't found a way yet. But if you did find a way, how long would it last? They aren't designed for home audio. Only for computers.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

I think it's probably impossible.

Wrong.

They aren't designed for home audio. Only for computers.

Read the tutorial, all you need to do is find the +12V point in the supply, and add some power resistors on the regulator circuit to keep the voltage relatively stable.

you can't power up a PSU without a motherboard to it

Ever tried?

 

[Spkrman]

Its easier to just use 12 volt batteries and a good size charger. Its at least capable of more current for cheaper than just about any other option.

 

[B@SSAN8OR 10+ year member]

all you have to buy is a power supply tester from, fry's maybe and then you can power on any power supply with that. or get a paper clip and find the 2 plugs that need to be jumped and you will have no problems.

car audio products are not really a good idea for home audio because they are not effeciant at all. home audio is way more effeciant then any car audio product.