Car amplifiers for sub use in home with PC supply?

goldyrathore · 02:48 PM

Hi,

Has anyone tried powering a car amp at home with PC supply?
Can someone point me to such links?

It looks too tempting to try.

Thanks,
Goldy

gruni · 12th July 2010, 03:18 PM

it works.

but be sure not to run the pc supply without any load...

Glowbug · 12th July 2010, 03:49 PM

Wouldn't recommend it.

Buy a real 12VDC bench supply if you're doing testing, or a 120VAC amp for permanent use.

EBM_dude · 12th July 2010, 04:22 PM

It works but it isn't really wise to do that. For good measure, get an old HDD as another load for the PSU to ensure there's a minimum load.

firechief · 12th July 2010, 06:15 PM

A large portion on the power devloped by a PC supply is at +5V witch won't do you any good. Then there is usually +15 and -15 or something close to that. If you use the +15 it will probally work but be limited in current ability. You might find that you wont be able to crank it up much. Good luck.

smartx21 · 13th July 2010, 01:33 AM

I did it to power a small car power amp, for a stereo pair of DIY loudspeakers (6" bass + tweeter), being the same PC the sound source, and it sounded fine. So, there was ONLY one PSU to feed both PC and car power amp (+12V).
I think you can't do this for a very loud sound, but it was fine for general purposes, like gaming or music listening.

ReiMomo · 13th July 2010, 05:01 AM

I did it too, what you need is too short the grean cable with the one of the grounds to power up the power supply then connect the 12 volts of the power supply to the amp like you would do on a car.
google for ATX pin out.
It might not be super loud but is cool when there is no amp to play music.

goldyrathore · 20th July 2010, 04:56 AM

Thank you guys for posting your results. I just got myself a PC 450W SMPS. It has two 12V supplies rated at 15Amps and 16 Amps. I ran a Sony XM-502Z car amp with a small speaker. Got sound, no hum, no noise.

Will power my subs now and post the results soon.

12th July 2010, 02:43 PM	#1
goldyrathore diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bangalore, India	Car amplifiers for sub use in home with PC supply? Hi, Has anyone tried powering a car amp at home with PC supply? Can someone point me to such links? It looks too tempting to try. Thanks, Goldy Last edited by goldyrathore; 12th July 2010 at 02:48 PM. Reason: Made a mistake

12th July 2010, 03:49 PM	#3
Glowbug diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hillsborough, NC/McLean, VA	Wouldn't recommend it. Buy a real 12VDC bench supply if you're doing testing, or a 120VAC amp for permanent use. __________________ Jim J.

13th July 2010, 01:33 AM	#6
smartx21 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Santiago, RS/ Brasil	I did it to power a small car power amp, for a stereo pair of DIY loudspeakers (6" bass + tweeter), being the same PC the sound source, and it sounded fine. So, there was ONLY one PSU to feed both PC and car power amp (+12V). I think you can't do this for a very loud sound, but it was fine for general purposes, like gaming or music listening. __________________ We should not dwell on what we do not have, but, instead, be grateful for what we do have!

20th July 2010, 04:56 AM	#8
goldyrathore diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bangalore, India	Thank you guys for posting your results. I just got myself a PC 450W SMPS. It has two 12V supplies rated at 15Amps and 16 Amps. I ran a Sony XM-502Z car amp with a small speaker. Got sound, no hum, no noise. Will power my subs now and post the results soon. __________________ Audio enthusiast/hobbyist

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

12th July 2010, 03:18 PM	#2
gruni diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2008	it works. but be sure not to run the pc supply without any load...

12th July 2010, 04:22 PM	#4
EBM_dude diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Germany	It works but it isn't really wise to do that. For good measure, get an old HDD as another load for the PSU to ensure there's a minimum load.

12th July 2010, 06:15 PM	#5
firechief diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Near Seattle Wa	A large portion on the power devloped by a PC supply is at +5V witch won't do you any good. Then there is usually +15 and -15 or something close to that. If you use the +15 it will probally work but be limited in current ability. You might find that you wont be able to crank it up much. Good luck.

13th July 2010, 05:01 AM	#7
ReiMomo diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Puerto Rico	I did it too, what you need is too short the grean cable with the one of the grounds to power up the power supply then connect the 12 volts of the power supply to the amp like you would do on a car. google for ATX pin out. It might not be super loud but is cool when there is no amp to play music.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Are all four channels of Sony XM-504z same	goldyrathore	Solid State	6	15th July 2010 02:26 PM
Sony XM-554ZR	mike49504	Car Audio	1	1st May 2010 09:38 AM
Sony XM-D1000P5	mike49504	Car Audio	28	19th April 2010 01:56 AM
Sony XM-4520	croccodillo	Car Audio	0	14th December 2005 09:19 AM
Sony XM Radio	Sawzall	Digital Source	2	3rd January 2002 04:46 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read