Morbid Curiosity?

droidsocket · 22nd October 2009, 03:02 PM

What would it take to build a power supply for a dismantled car audio class ab amplifier that requires up to 160amp of current?

Ball park cost est would be appreciated!

SirNickity · 23rd October 2009, 12:22 AM

Depends... are you planning to use the amp's DC-to-DC conversion, or bypass that and power the load directly? In which case, 160 Amps is subject to your target voltage. Is that peak or continuous? That's alot of amps.

If ... ahem... "all" you need is unregulated 12VDC @ 160A, just look up some 2000VA+ transformers with a 12V secondary.

droidsocket · 23rd October 2009, 03:13 PM

Thanks for your response SirNickity. I am new to diy audio but have been so amazed by what i have found on this site and others about enthusiasts building there own electronics and or modifying existing product.

The reason I asked this question is i have four never used ppi pcx2400 amplifiers from back in the day when i had illusions of grandeur of building a car audio system. Well i am older now and am not interested in car audio. But have been interested in diy home audio for a while.

The ppi units say they will draw 160amp, i am sorry i assume that is peek. I am not home right now but when i am i will take the top off one and snap some pictures.

Would bypassing the DC-to-DC and powering directly be a better option then the last option you suggested?

djQUAN · 24th October 2009, 01:31 PM

uh. those could be worth some cash for some collectors today. sell them and get a proper AC powered amp.

SirNickity · 26th October 2009, 09:11 PM

Can't really say what would be better. I don't know the amp's power stages, and not sure I could comprehend them at the moment anyway.

From my very basic knowledge of amplifiers, the "working voltage" of the power transistors is most likely significantly greater than 12V (or +/- 6v, if it uses split rails, which it probably does.) So, in essence, you convert from 120 or 240VAC to 12VDC to whatever the internal working voltage is. You could essentially cut one whole stage of conversion out by removing the internal power supply, but you really have to know what you're doing before taking on a project like that. Some folks around here could probably improve upon the original PSU. Myself... I'd be lucky not to catch something on fire.

richie00boy · 26th October 2009, 10:13 PM

This is far too big a project for a novice and selling the amps would realise a lot of cash.

Ball park price for the PSU project 100 UK Pounds per amplifier. I don't know what country you are in.

droidsocket · 27th October 2009, 06:07 AM

I am in Canada. I probably will just sell them. But was interested in the idea of rebuilding them. Thanks for your thoughts!

22nd October 2009, 03:02 PM	#1
droidsocket diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2009	Morbid Curiosity? What would it take to build a power supply for a dismantled car audio class ab amplifier that requires up to 160amp of current? Ball park cost est would be appreciated!

26th October 2009, 10:13 PM	#6
richie00boy Did it Himself diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gloucestershire, England, UK	This is far too big a project for a novice and selling the amps would realise a lot of cash. Ball park price for the PSU project 100 UK Pounds per amplifier. I don't know what country you are in. __________________ www.readresearch.co.uk my website for UK diy audio people - designs, PCBs, kits and more

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23rd October 2009, 12:22 AM	#2
SirNickity diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Anchorage, AK	Depends... are you planning to use the amp's DC-to-DC conversion, or bypass that and power the load directly? In which case, 160 Amps is subject to your target voltage. Is that peak or continuous? That's alot of amps. If ... ahem... "all" you need is unregulated 12VDC @ 160A, just look up some 2000VA+ transformers with a 12V secondary.

23rd October 2009, 03:13 PM	#3
droidsocket diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2009	Thanks for your response SirNickity. I am new to diy audio but have been so amazed by what i have found on this site and others about enthusiasts building there own electronics and or modifying existing product. The reason I asked this question is i have four never used ppi pcx2400 amplifiers from back in the day when i had illusions of grandeur of building a car audio system. Well i am older now and am not interested in car audio. But have been interested in diy home audio for a while. The ppi units say they will draw 160amp, i am sorry i assume that is peek. I am not home right now but when i am i will take the top off one and snap some pictures. Would bypassing the DC-to-DC and powering directly be a better option then the last option you suggested?

24th October 2009, 01:31 PM	#4
djQUAN diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: manila	uh. those could be worth some cash for some collectors today. sell them and get a proper AC powered amp.

26th October 2009, 09:11 PM	#5
SirNickity diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Anchorage, AK	Can't really say what would be better. I don't know the amp's power stages, and not sure I could comprehend them at the moment anyway. From my very basic knowledge of amplifiers, the "working voltage" of the power transistors is most likely significantly greater than 12V (or +/- 6v, if it uses split rails, which it probably does.) So, in essence, you convert from 120 or 240VAC to 12VDC to whatever the internal working voltage is. You could essentially cut one whole stage of conversion out by removing the internal power supply, but you really have to know what you're doing before taking on a project like that. Some folks around here could probably improve upon the original PSU. Myself... I'd be lucky not to catch something on fire.

27th October 2009, 06:07 AM	#7
droidsocket diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2009	I am in Canada. I probably will just sell them. But was interested in the idea of rebuilding them. Thanks for your thoughts!