Power Supply for Car Amp in House

AutoAudio · 1st December 2009, 01:07 PM

I know a car amp isn't the most ideal solution for your home stereo, but I have one left over from several years ago that was 1000 bucks new. I have some weird attachment to it and have never been able to bring myself to sell it even though I haven't used it in years. That being said I figure it's high time to toy around with it a bit. Now that I have a wife and kids, there really isn't the option of "tricking" out the grocery getter just to play with an old friend. The easiest thing I figure is for me to get a power supply that I can use to run it in the house.

So far the simplest solution I've come across is to use a computer power supply, but I figured I would ask the experts at DIY for their opinions and see if yall have better or cheaper alternatives. It can draw up to 600 watts. It's probably not important, but just in case it is the amp is an xtant 603x. Thanks for any help fellas. Oh and I'm an idiot so talk to me as such.

Bruce

Fuzzymuff · 1st December 2009, 02:04 PM

ATX to Lab Bench Power Supply Conversion

Other than that, a car battery charger will do it. The switch mode converter inside the amp will smooth the noise.

Use the search box to build an advanced one. I myself used a computer supply and I've also used a battery charger, and charger and battery. The battery ran the amp, the charger keeps it charged at night when amp off, simples

Fuzzymuff

audionoob · 13th January 2010, 01:13 PM

Hi guys, I have read quite a bit about this but have two questions if I may

1. The amp I have is rated at max 1000w. Given it is 12v that would be max 83.33 amps wouldn't it? If so, then why is the fuse on the amp only 15amp? Is the 1000w bulls**t?
2. Could it be possible to use an xbox 360 power adapter instead of a computer PSU - it gives out 16.5amps at 12vDC. Maybe use a 1 farad capacitor with this as well to deal with any possible peaks in the supply drawn?

thanks in advance

tsmith1315 · 14th January 2010, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audionoob

If so, then why is the fuse on the amp only 15amp? Is the 1000w bulls**t?

Could be a clue...

The old HiFonics Colossus 600Wx2 (Class AB) would draw 200A at full power.

Glowbug · 14th January 2010, 02:40 AM

"Max" ratings are all but meaningless, even if you're talking about a reputable brand like Xtant.

This is a little more accurate

http://web.zeblods.com/volvo/notices/xtant_603x_man.pdf

aseitzinger · 16th January 2010, 10:32 AM

Hi Bruce,
I use a 6 ch car amplifier in my lab...
I did not connect it to a 12V power supply, instead I ran wires from a spare lab power supply to the positive (+24V), negative (-24V) and ground rail...
Maybe worth considering...

Greets
Arno

esee135 · 17th January 2010, 11:14 PM

...I have a Tripp Lite 50Adc 14.4V power supply feeding a few amps. For the first couple years it was fine to run such a setup (ie: use an existing investment of car audio amps).

A few years later, with my equipment in storage, I had to rebuild my power supply (upwards of 20 capacitors) which was fine, but found that I lost one of my amp channels on the 4ch amp. Measuring output capacitance, it seems like I may have some aged caps again.....moral of the story, wasn't worth rebuilding the amp and I went out and bought a Behringer EP2000. Just seems more simple to plug the new amp into the wall and walk away.

Good luck with the setup, it's very enjoyable to diy on the car audio at home.

1st December 2009, 01:07 PM	#1
AutoAudio diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Boston	Power Supply for Car Amp in House I know a car amp isn't the most ideal solution for your home stereo, but I have one left over from several years ago that was 1000 bucks new. I have some weird attachment to it and have never been able to bring myself to sell it even though I haven't used it in years. That being said I figure it's high time to toy around with it a bit. Now that I have a wife and kids, there really isn't the option of "tricking" out the grocery getter just to play with an old friend. The easiest thing I figure is for me to get a power supply that I can use to run it in the house. So far the simplest solution I've come across is to use a computer power supply, but I figured I would ask the experts at DIY for their opinions and see if yall have better or cheaper alternatives. It can draw up to 600 watts. It's probably not important, but just in case it is the amp is an xtant 603x. Thanks for any help fellas. Oh and I'm an idiot so talk to me as such. Bruce

1st December 2009, 02:04 PM	#2
Fuzzymuff diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2009	Ideal PSU ATX to Lab Bench Power Supply Conversion Other than that, a car battery charger will do it. The switch mode converter inside the amp will smooth the noise. Use the search box to build an advanced one. I myself used a computer supply and I've also used a battery charger, and charger and battery. The battery ran the amp, the charger keeps it charged at night when amp off, simples Fuzzymuff __________________ Wrap it in foil, and plug it in.

14th January 2010, 02:40 AM	#5
Glowbug diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hillsborough, NC/McLean, VA	"Max" ratings are all but meaningless, even if you're talking about a reputable brand like Xtant. This is a little more accurate http://web.zeblods.com/volvo/notices/xtant_603x_man.pdf __________________ Jim J.

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13th January 2010, 01:13 PM	#3
audionoob diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2010	Hi guys, I have read quite a bit about this but have two questions if I may 1. The amp I have is rated at max 1000w. Given it is 12v that would be max 83.33 amps wouldn't it? If so, then why is the fuse on the amp only 15amp? Is the 1000w bulls**t? 2. Could it be possible to use an xbox 360 power adapter instead of a computer PSU - it gives out 16.5amps at 12vDC. Maybe use a 1 farad capacitor with this as well to deal with any possible peaks in the supply drawn? thanks in advance

16th January 2010, 10:32 AM	#6
aseitzinger diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2009	Hi Bruce, I use a 6 ch car amplifier in my lab... I did not connect it to a 12V power supply, instead I ran wires from a spare lab power supply to the positive (+24V), negative (-24V) and ground rail... Maybe worth considering... Greets Arno

17th January 2010, 11:14 PM	#7
esee135 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2010	...I have a Tripp Lite 50Adc 14.4V power supply feeding a few amps. For the first couple years it was fine to run such a setup (ie: use an existing investment of car audio amps). A few years later, with my equipment in storage, I had to rebuild my power supply (upwards of 20 capacitors) which was fine, but found that I lost one of my amp channels on the 4ch amp. Measuring output capacitance, it seems like I may have some aged caps again.....moral of the story, wasn't worth rebuilding the amp and I went out and bought a Behringer EP2000. Just seems more simple to plug the new amp into the wall and walk away. Good luck with the setup, it's very enjoyable to diy on the car audio at home.

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