Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Audio/Jukebox/MP3 Forum => Topic started by: u48989 on August 02, 2006, 02:17:15 pm

Title: Question about AC to DC power supplies
Post by: u48989 on August 02, 2006, 02:17:15 pm

Hello,

I am in the process of building a jukebox out of an old record player cabinet.  I will be using a PC to run the jukebox software.  The output of the on-board sound card on the PC's motherboard will plug into a car stereo amplifier.  This amplifier is an old Optimus 170 Watt amp.  I have an old car "kicker" box which has 12 inch subwoofer speakers and mid range and high range tweeter speakers.  This Optimus amp used to power the kickerbox when this was all in my car.  I plan on taking one of the subwoofers and one set of the tweeters from the kicker box and using that as the speakers for the jukebox.  I'm not looking for a super loud sound from my jukebox, these are just the only speakers I have to work with. 

My question is about how to get power to the amp.  The PC has a 400 Watt power supply that has a 12 volt 10 amp rail (is that the right term?).  Is it possible to just hook one of the yellow 12 volt wires and the black ground that comes from the PC power supply to the amp?  I believe I hook the yellow wire to the 12 volt input and the REM input on the amp.  It would be ideal to use the PC power supply so turning off and on the PC would also operate the power to the amp.  Would this work and if so, what are the limitations with this approach versus purchasing an AC to DC converter from Radio Shack to power the amp?  Thanks for any feedback.  Here is a rough site I put together to illustrate what I am trying to accomplish:

http://home.comcast.net/~afeather

Title: Re: Question about AC to DC power supplies
Post by: chipsdad on August 03, 2006, 03:34:12 pm

Brilliant cab :applaud:

Title: Re: Question about AC to DC power supplies
Post by: Luckydevil on August 06, 2006, 11:38:07 pm

Don't use the PC power supply. I recommend buying a seperate power supply and powering the amp from that. I did a lot of research and the best buy for the money is the Rosewill RE502, it produces 34 amps on the +12v line.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817182002

I'm using five of them to power a 1,000+ watt stereo on my cab and they have worked flawlessly for six months now.

Basically you'll combine all of the yellow wires together for the +12v (positive) and an equal number of black wires for the ground. Then just run a small wire jumper from the +12v to the remote so the amp turns on with the power supply.

Title: Re: Question about AC to DC power supplies
Post by: richms on August 07, 2006, 12:08:09 am

Would probarbly be better off picking something up from here http://instruments.listings.ebay.com/Pro-Audio_Power-Amplifiers_W0QQfromZR4QQsacatZ64450QQsocmdZListingItemList (http://instruments.listings.ebay.com/Pro-Audio_Power-Amplifiers_W0QQfromZR4QQsacatZ64450QQsocmdZListingItemList) then messing around with loads of PC power supplies and a car amp.