Converting a car amp to home amp

zx3chris · 27th January 2004, 04:46 PM

as the topic says, im interested in doing this -- ive been into car audio much longer than tinkering with HT stuff, and i have a few car sub amps id like to convert (if possible).. i assume the simplest way would be to make a huge 12vdc supply and simply feed the car amp, but that seems like it would not be cost effective and converting from 120vac to 12vdc to smps to +/-DC is a waste and ineffecient -- would it be possible to measure the dc rails of the amp, and simply get a transformer for the +/- rail voltage and bypass the amp's SMPS?? and if that is possible, will the amps internal options (like crossovers etc) still work, or are their functions derived from the primary 12v? no i do not have schematics for any amp i am considering, this is just a general question -- has any1 ever done this before or is it just a crazy idea, tia

-chris

asauer · 28th January 2004, 02:52 AM

Yes, it's been done before, and it's not really worth it if you ask me. In the amount of time/cost/performance involved, it would be quicker/cheaper/better to design and build a better quality home mains amp.

kan3 · 29th January 2004, 02:36 PM

if you are looking for small amount of power from the amp...100-120wrms, then there are 13amp 14v Dc power supplies on ebay for $20 shipped

edit:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3171623386

looks like they don't give free shipping anymore, my model pegs alittle over 14v

27th January 2004, 04:46 PM	#1
zx3chris diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: south amboy nj	Converting a car amp to home amp as the topic says, im interested in doing this -- ive been into car audio much longer than tinkering with HT stuff, and i have a few car sub amps id like to convert (if possible).. i assume the simplest way would be to make a huge 12vdc supply and simply feed the car amp, but that seems like it would not be cost effective and converting from 120vac to 12vdc to smps to +/-DC is a waste and ineffecient -- would it be possible to measure the dc rails of the amp, and simply get a transformer for the +/- rail voltage and bypass the amp's SMPS?? and if that is possible, will the amps internal options (like crossovers etc) still work, or are their functions derived from the primary 12v? no i do not have schematics for any amp i am considering, this is just a general question -- has any1 ever done this before or is it just a crazy idea, tia -chris

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28th January 2004, 02:52 AM	#2
asauer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Indiana	Yes, it's been done before, and it's not really worth it if you ask me. In the amount of time/cost/performance involved, it would be quicker/cheaper/better to design and build a better quality home mains amp.

29th January 2004, 02:36 PM	#3
kan3 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MI	if you are looking for small amount of power from the amp...100-120wrms, then there are 13amp 14v Dc power supplies on ebay for $20 shipped edit: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3171623386 looks like they don't give free shipping anymore, my model pegs alittle over 14v