Car AMP 400 watt in the house?

[Smack]

Hi, my car amp is 400watt and i'd like to hook it up inside the house (don't ask why) lol.

so I need 12V DC from my 120V AC (and what 30amps?)

how would I go about doing that (ac/dc pwr supply?)

thanks folks

[jrfrond]

You would need to purchase a 12VDC power supply. MCM has two switch-mode units available for a decent price:

#72-8115 25A $109.00

#72-8116 40A $159.00

[Smack]

wow thanks for the quick reply.

I thought thats what I needed but wasn't sure..

so with my 400 watt amp, would the 25A Switch Mode Power Supply suffice?

400 watt is peak vs 13.8v X 25a = 345watt is average?

i'm just worried that it won't be enough to power it... but too cheap to get the bigger one!

[Steve Conner]

If you're cheap, why not try an old PC power supply. They have a 12V output.

As for your worries, I wouldn't worry too much, car amps are famous for being overrated. It probably only makes about 40w, unless it's one of the $500 competition grade units, then it might make 100

[Smack]

If you're cheap, why not try an old PC power supply. They have a 12V output.

As for your worries, I wouldn't worry too much, car amps are famous for being overrated. It probably only makes about 40w, unless it's one of the $500 competition grade units, then it might make 100

hey great thinking!

and p.s. it ain't no competition grade amp lol

its a budget overstocked amp from the no refund bin haha

[Enzo]

Um, I didn't think the average computer power supply could provide 30-40 amps on the 12v output.

[Steve Conner]

You're right, they usually top out around 18A, and that's for the newer ATX type with the separate 4-pin connector for 12V.

But I really don't think the amp will need that much power. I've dismantled a couple of these low-cost car amps, and they don't look like they could punch their way out of a paper bag.

The worst that can happen is that the power supply shuts down or dies, in which case you know you needed a bigger one anyway

Of course if you have one of these...
http://www.jbl.com/car/products/prod...CheckProduct=Y
ignore everything I said and borrow a battery from a diesel locomotive. JBL say that the 6kW version can draw 800A, and I believe it.

[Smack]

thats what i'm using right now actually and my gf is annoyed with a big battery sitting on the living room floor lol

[kg]

size the tranny and the bridge for your rail current needs and away you go.

the 4502 will hold up to 30a.