I know most everybody thinks this stuff is ridiculous but I have the extra parts so it would be cheaper to do this than buy a new stereo I think. Can anybody chime in with what they think I'll need for parts? Thanks

 

if i understand it right, you want to put a stereo in your garage. if that is the case, go to wal mart and get you a $30.00 boombox and call it a day, because the hardest part you will have is trying to power your car stereo and regular house power will fry it if you try.

 

a bit off topic but how do they power car stereo stuff like in best buy or circuit city or wherever?

 

With Power supplies like these:
http://www.kinetikaudio.com/powersupplies.asp

If you have a spare battery around, and extra stereo gear why not? You will need a power supply and a battery, and the speakers are not meant to fill a room with sound. Our sound board at the stereo shop can get pretty loud..

 

To connect 12 volt (DC) devices to 110 volt AC (household plug in North America), you need an AC to DC Power Converter. For simple use, a $50 converter is adequate. It plugs into the wall for AC 110 volt power and has a ground and hot wire where you connect your 12 volt DC device. A good one is fused to protect your devices.

It's pretty handy to have if you do your own car electronics. For example I use mine to test equipment before installing it in the car. That way if it doesn't work, at least I know it isn't a problem with the device.

Audio shops do this the same way, only they of course have a more elaborate setup than the $50 converter I mention above.

--Spike

 

Ichigo... Cannot believe you "beat me to the draw again" ... you are fast.

About your battery comment: re> "If you have a spare battery around, and extra stereo gear why not?"

Actually that is how I powered my 12 volt devices for testing before buying an AC-DC converter. I had one of those "jumper batteries" with an AC connector that charged its internal battery. It looks like a car battery but has an AC cord to connect to 100 AC household current to keep the internal battery charged. I used this to jump my vehicles in very cold weather (you need this stuff when you live in Frostbite Falls). It worked well to test my 12 volt devices, but it was bulky, and didn't have a fuse for added protection. And, the dedicated AC-DC converter also allows me to set the DC anywhere from 6 to 14 volts.

--Spike

 

Really, I dont stalk you Spike100

A spare battery will do in a pinch and is a good way to test things but if you find yourself needing 12VDC frequently outside a car (IE powering car components in a garage) a power supply is a wise investment

 

ALL YOU NEED IS A COMPUTER POWER SUPPLY
You don't need all this ac/dc converter bull****. I've done it, so I know what I'm talking about. PM me if you want more info.

 

Back when I used to work at Circuit City (many years ago) I bought an 'open box' 10" sub box for next to nothing. I filled in the spot where the sub goes with a piece of MDF and then I ISO mounted a Pioneer head unit to it.

I went to Radioshack and bought the parts to make a converter (under $20). I then put AUX ports on the side and added a powered antenna.

The box worked out great because my tool box is taller then I am, so I needed something to stand on, plus my laptop at the time fit perfectly on the top, so I could listen to MP3s while I worked in a self contained indestructable box.

The point of the story is if you don't mind a little DIY you can find simple power supply circuts on the 'net and build a power supply very, very cheaply.

 

you have extra car stereo stuff, but to actually use them you still have to spend more money. might as well get a stereo you can plug into a wall for cheap and use the radio/mp3/cd that it'll come with.

 

You offer the best advise on this thread.

--Spike