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Topic: Hooking up to powerful amp and speakers made for car |
Keith Hilton
From:
248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721
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Posted 12 Aug 2007 8:54 pm |
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I was in an auto parts supply store last week and I noticed some powerful amplifiers and speakers. These amplifiers and speakers can handle lots of watts. I was just wondering if anyone has ever hooked up their guitar to one of these powerful car systems?  |
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Mike Wheeler
From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
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Posted 13 Aug 2007 4:58 am
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Keith, those high power car amps run on 13.6 vdc, as you know. The downside is that they draw massive current loads...20, 30 amps and up! You'd need to invest in an expensive AC/DC converter/power supply, and the weight would add up pretty fast.
I used to repair those big car systems and had a power supply that weighed about 25+ pounds, and put out 30 amps at 13.6 vdc, thru a circuit breaker. One had to be very careful working with that kind of current!...and that still wasn't enough for some of the most powerful amps! 
I wouldn't advise going that direction for a portable amp rig, unless it was enclosed and permanently wired.
_________________
Best regards,
Mike |
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Keith Hilton
From:
248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721
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Posted 13 Aug 2007 3:49 pm
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| Mike, seems to me with that much current a battery charge would not last very long. Will a car alternator put out enough current to run one of these powerful amps continuous and still charge a battery? I found a set of speakers that go to one of these powerful systems used for $5.00. I notice they are two 4 ohm connections. Thought I would wire them in series and get 8 ohms. Then, hook them to my home built stereo powered by a Peavey PA power head. If I am not mistaken there are two 8 ohm outputs on the Peavey head. I alread have one set of speakers in one of the outputs. |
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Bob Cox
From:
Buckeye State
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Posted 13 Aug 2007 7:36 pm
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| I read where some of the Ford mustangs will have guitar hook ups this year for partying. |
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Jonathan Cullifer
From:
Gallatin, TN
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Posted 13 Aug 2007 9:04 pm
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| Never tried it. The power ratings are misleading enough on car amps. I talked to a friend of mine who works in the car audio department at a major electronic retailer and he said that the average continuous (incorrectly labeled as RMS) power rating is far lower than the advertised (instantaneous) power rating on the amps. |
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Mike Wheeler
From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
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Posted 14 Aug 2007 5:28 am
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Guys, like anything, the unit you choose will determine the power requirements needed from the vehicle's electrical system. I figured a minimum of about 200 watts (about 15 amps DC), or more, were needed. These fall into the high current category. And, yes, the audio power ratings used in car audio can be very misleading...especially for someone who's used to the old RMS guitar amp ratings. Look for the current requirements of the amp...that's the most important spec because the owner has to have an alternator that can handle it, plus any other demands of the car/truck.
Keith, yes, a car alternator can power these units, but it may have to be an upgraded model that can output more current. Nowadays, these upgraded models are readily available, though expensive, from manufacturers and after-market suppliers.
The audio power and the DC power consumption ratings don't correlate well because the 13.6vdc has to be converted, in most cases, into higher bipolar DC voltages to power the final audio output stages. Add to that the number games that manufacturers play these days to state power output specs, and you have one confusing, and confused, marketplace. This is a whole aftermarket industry complete with boutique, custom and audiophile segmants...along with their unique terminology and sometimes strange myths. 
As far as the speakers go, I would think, in well designed enclosures, they could do quite well in a home stereo system. 
_________________
Best regards,
Mike |
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