Running a home stereo off a car amp?

[newtothis86 10+ year member]

I got my hands on a set of tower speakers and two older car amplifiers. I am wondering if it is logically/possible/stupid to run these speakers off the amps. My goal is mostly to save spending $200 on a receiver if I can do the same thing for cheap...any thoughts?

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[Beat_Dominator 5,000+ posts]

This has been asked many times. It is technically possible but not cost effective in any way as there are not many devices that can convert you home's 120v line down to the car gear's 12v and still supply the proper current to make it all work.

 

[MkKin420 10+ year member]

The first thing you would need is someway to power the amps (i.e. dc power supply), capable of supplying the amount of current needed. Then some kind of source with pre-amp output or possibly just using a stereo jack to rca type cord. I could be wrong but powering a pair of home speakers capable of handling the power the amplifier puts out should work fine as long as the impedance of the drivers is within the amps operating range and the speakers can safely handle the wattage of the amp. Fuses and wires and such as well. But, I think it could be possible.

 

[newtothis86 10+ year member]

I guess my question was not so much could it be done, but is it reasonable/ cost effective to convert wall current to DC and if anyone was aware of how I might find such a device.

 

[MkKin420 10+ year member]

Cost effective? probly not. Interesting? yes

 

[jco1385 5,000+ posts]

hook up a stout car battery to a trickle charger. this should provide enough power for a modest sub stage

 

[MkKin420 10+ year member]

A regulated dc power supply would be your answer. Heres a link that might help you,

http://www.bcae1.com/pwrsupdc.htm, very well explained this should help answer your question as to what you are looking for.

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

most of the time a power supply big enough will cost more than a receiver, btw you can get used 2ch receivers 100x2 or so off ebay for like $50 because nobody wants them.

 

[vario 10+ year member]

Buy a PA amplifier that goes down to like 2 ohm instead.

 

[Plutoman 10+ year member]

I did the reverse. Mounted a home stereo unit off of a DC inverter.

Was pretty epic. Be a pain to do a car amp in a house though :/

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

Buy a PA amplifier that goes down to like 2 ohm instead.

if he has home towers more than likley they are 8 ohm

 

[kovemaster559 5,000+ posts]

if he has home towers more than likley they are 8 ohm

x2

 

[Gebrochen 10+ year member]

Get a 12V car charger and a small car battery. I used that for a long time before I upgraded to a 95Amp forklift charger. I didn't have any problems with 60Hz hum due to using an unregulated power source, but you might not be as lucky.