Using a car stereo in the house....?

[[email protected]]

Do they amke any kind of AC adapter that will let you use something
like a car stereo or a CB radio in the house?

I remember years ago you needed a regulated power-pack kinda thing to
do this but I was wondering if that's still the case today? Like
maybe some kind of AC adapter that will let you run something that
normally runs of 12 volts DC neg. ground.

Thanks

Leesa (I)

 

[Jasen]

Do they amke any kind of AC adapter that will let you use something
like a car stereo or a CB radio in the house?

Yes, but typiucally they put out 13.5 or 13.8V like an automotive
electric system does.

jaycar.com.au catalogue number MP3072 would be one (rather expensive)
example.

Bye.
Jasen

 

[Tomi Holger Engdahl]

Do they amke any kind of AC adapter that will let you use something
like a car stereo or a CB radio in the house?

I remember years ago you needed a regulated power-pack kinda thing to
do this but I was wondering if that's still the case today?

This is true nowadays. You need a regulated powerful enough 12V
power source to run equipment designed to run on car power.
The sutiable voltage range to those equipment is 12-13.8V

Like
maybe some kind of AC adapter that will let you run something that
normally runs of 12 volts DC neg. ground.

There are many powerful 12V power supplier available.
For example HAMs and other radio operators use then
often to power their radios. Suitable electronics
component/equipment supper should be able to sell you one.

 

[Jasen]

Yes, but typiucally they put out 13.5 or 13.8V like an automotive
electric system does.

jaycar.com.au catalogue number MP3072 would be one (rather expensive)
example.

cancel that... no longer available

 

[Michael Kennedy]

Do they amke any kind of AC adapter that will let you use something
like a car stereo or a CB radio in the house?

I remember years ago you needed a regulated power-pack kinda thing to
do this but I was wondering if that's still the case today? Like
maybe some kind of AC adapter that will let you run something that
normally runs of 12 volts DC neg. ground.

Thanks

Leesa (I)

I know I'm probably going to get flamed over this one, but a car battery
charger works well most of the time. Just make sure you get positive and
negative correct. The only problems I have ever run into is the radio
picking up noise from the charger.

Mike

 

[Don Bruder]

Do they amke any kind of AC adapter that will let you use something
like a car stereo or a CB radio in the house?

I remember years ago you needed a regulated power-pack kinda thing to
do this but I was wondering if that's still the case today? Like
maybe some kind of AC adapter that will let you run something that
normally runs of 12 volts DC neg. ground.

Thanks

Leesa (I)

Yes. Such units are available. And yes, they're still essentially a
giant regulated wall-wart. They can be pricey, though, depending on how
many amps you need for the specific application. Bigger amps = bigger
bucks...

In a pinch, you can get away with using a regular 12 volt battery
charger, so long as you hook things up correctly, but don't be surprised
if you get about a metric buttload of noise if you're using it with
audio gear - In my experience, chargers used as power supplies tend to
be *REALLY* noisy. Probably has something to do with the fact that a
battery generally doesn't much care how noisy the supply charging it is,
so long as the voltage and current is in the right range. Audio gear
and/or digital stuff, on the other hand, tends to be pretty finicky,
wanting absolutely clean (or as close to it as practical) juice.

 

[Charles]

Do they amke any kind of AC adapter that will let you use something
like a car stereo or a CB radio in the house?

I remember years ago you needed a regulated power-pack kinda thing to
do this but I was wondering if that's still the case today? Like
maybe some kind of AC adapter that will let you run something that
normally runs of 12 volts DC neg. ground.

This company: http://www.astroncorp.com/main.shtml is worth looking at.

Buy a supply rated at 10 amps or so and that should do it.

 

[Eeyore]

This is true nowadays. You need a regulated powerful enough 12V
power source to run equipment designed to run on car power.
The sutiable voltage range to those equipment is 12-13.8V


There are many powerful 12V power supplier available.
For example HAMs and other radio operators use then
often to power their radios. Suitable electronics
component/equipment supper should be able to sell you one.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/250W-13-8V-18...ryZ48708QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks guys.. Actually, the unit I want to play inside is a very low
powered "entry level" CD player, AM/FM combo. No amp or anything.
BTW.. I really wouldn't be playing the radio, just listening to a few
CDs.

IF I did go the BATTERY CHARGER route, would "noise" still be an issue
even if I wasn't using the RADIO part of it?

Also... How much could I pick up one of these battery chargers for?

Thanks again

LEESA (I)

 

[Don Bruder]

Thanks guys.. Actually, the unit I want to play inside is a very low
powered "entry level" CD player, AM/FM combo. No amp or anything.
BTW.. I really wouldn't be playing the radio, just listening to a few
CDs.

IF I did go the BATTERY CHARGER route, would "noise" still be an issue
even if I wasn't using the RADIO part of it?

Maybe, maybe not. Depends on how good the audio unit's internal
noise-handling capability is. If it's filtered heavily enough, it may
reject any noise from the charger. If not, noise can easily end up
hitting the audio amp circuitry, and you'll "hear all about it" in short
order. Only way to know for certain is try it and see. Chances of
getting noise will be *MUCH* higher if using the radio part, but even if
you're sticking strictly to playing CDs, noise can't be ruled out until
you actually try that particular unit. (And once you have, don't even
THINK about it meaning that you'll get the same results with a different
charger...)

Also... How much could I pick up one of these battery chargers for?

8-10 bucks for a basic "el Cheapo" if you find 'em on sale. 25 or so
will get you a fairly spiffy one. (but not much point in that for the
purpose) Beyond that, and you're better off going with a "designed for
the job" power supply instead of the charger.

 

[quietguy]

Had you thought about having a look at your local tip? Last time I was at ours
there were stack of power supplies to be had for $1 or less - you should be able
to find one with a 12v rating

Also, I would be very cautious about using a cheapo battery charger - their
voltage can rise to high levels with a low load - might damage your player

David