Hello everyone, I've recently bought TPA3116 amplifier from ebay. It works perfectly, but I need a case/enclosure for amplifier and power supply(Dell 95W charger). I looked online, but case large enough for both amplifier and power supply are as twice expensive as amplifier itself. What are good DIY options? Gutting cheap dvd player, broken amplifier etc. and reusing case? Or building case from wood(thin plywood or something else), maybe even see-through acrylic?
Go to drugstore like CVS or Walgreens and look for aluminum metal framed and hinged clear plastic "pencil" or school supply boxes. They would probably make a nice see through case. Alternatively, go to craft store like Michaels and get hinged wooden craft boxes. These options range $5 to $15.
I was thinking form myself to buy YJ aluminium case :
Yuan Jing Audio - Aluminium Case - Power Amplifier - Black [A] - $30.00 - Aluminium Case / Chassis
Yuan Jing Audio - Aluminium Case - Power Amplifier - Black [A] - $30.00 - Aluminium Case / Chassis
That case looks good, but its almost 3 times more expensive than amplifier. I will look for small wooden box first
I am using a Hammond 1455T with metal ends, really nice case and doesnt break the bank. Got it from Mouser.
Hammond Mfg. - Extruded Aluminum (Metal End Panels) - 1455 Series Enclosures
Hammond Mfg. - Extruded Aluminum (Metal End Panels) - 1455 Series Enclosures
I bought one of these fine enclosures from Nebraska Surplus. Shipping was as much as the box, but it is nicely made.
It has an 18v power supply, but too low in amperage for the TPA3116 (but fine for the Nelson Pass B1 I put in the box along with the Sure TPA3116).
You could very easily take out the existing power supply and use the space for whatever supply you want to put in. There is a lot of room in there.
The box is fully shielded and is easy to work with. I unscrewed the ugly plastic front plate and replaced it with a nice piece of oak that matched the rest of the furniture in the room.
It has an 18v power supply, but too low in amperage for the TPA3116 (but fine for the Nelson Pass B1 I put in the box along with the Sure TPA3116).
You could very easily take out the existing power supply and use the space for whatever supply you want to put in. There is a lot of room in there.
The box is fully shielded and is easy to work with. I unscrewed the ugly plastic front plate and replaced it with a nice piece of oak that matched the rest of the furniture in the room.
Many cigar shops sell their empty wood cigar boxes for $1. Some are large enough to house a transformer.
class d doesn't generate much heat, wooden cigar boxes are good to use. My local cigar shop sells them for $2 each.
1105B Full Aluminum Enclosure Case Preamp Box PSU Chassis DIY AQ | eBay
That's the one I'm looking at.
I want something that blends in with my other traditionally sized components.
Short little boxes don't really fit so I would stand it on its "side".
Its pretty deep for an aluminum project box which gives me room inside but still shallower than my smallest.
I'm hoping to fit an amp board with a preamp/buffer, stepped attenuator volume control and switching for three sources.
Power supply will be external because I don't need AC in there and with the aluminum construction, I don't have to worry about RF noise from the amp getting out.
Wooden boxes for switching amps just seem wrong to me (unless foil lined or otherwise shielded).
That's the one I'm looking at.
I want something that blends in with my other traditionally sized components.
Short little boxes don't really fit so I would stand it on its "side".
Its pretty deep for an aluminum project box which gives me room inside but still shallower than my smallest.
I'm hoping to fit an amp board with a preamp/buffer, stepped attenuator volume control and switching for three sources.
Power supply will be external because I don't need AC in there and with the aluminum construction, I don't have to worry about RF noise from the amp getting out.
Wooden boxes for switching amps just seem wrong to me (unless foil lined or otherwise shielded).
I used one of these Sure cases from Parts Express, less than $10, for my modded TPA 3116 board.
https://www.parts-express.com/aluminum-amplifier-case-193-h-x-294-w-x-472-d--320-328
https://www.parts-express.com/aluminum-amplifier-case-193-h-x-294-w-x-472-d--320-328
The box is really a bargain, and very well made. However, you do have to rework some things.
The box is designed for a volume pot, so you will need to make or buy a knob.
On/off switch has a slot instead of a round hole, so I drilled a hole to accept the pot.
Also, I needed to increase the depth of the counterbore on the back side so the threads of the pot would reach through the front.
On the back, the power jack opening is square, so I used a small sheet of carbon fiber, but a piece of aluminum would work too. This is to cover the hole from the back with 2 screws and nuts attaching it. Then a new round hole can be drilled to fit the DC jack.
I had to open the binding post hole sizes slightly wit a step drill.
The TPA 3116 YJ Blue/Blk. board will fit snugly in this box.
I found a cheap option is to use a PC case.
They can be got in various sizes, mini up to tower.
I rip out power supply and use the mains socket for my own use.
The mains sockets are often filtered which is useful.
I also use fan mountings for fans to keep amplifier cool and plenty of air going through the case.
They can be got in various sizes, mini up to tower.
I rip out power supply and use the mains socket for my own use.
The mains sockets are often filtered which is useful.
I also use fan mountings for fans to keep amplifier cool and plenty of air going through the case.
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