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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

2204.0. "Help wanted re CAR Stereo run off the MAINS" by ESSB::DOODY () Thu Jan 13 1994 14:02

    I have an old Radiomoblie car stereo which I use in my workshop
    HOwever I use a Car Battery to Power it.
    
    What rating of 12V transformer would I typically need to run it off the
    mains????
    
    (300Ma Is far too low - Ive tried it and the dial barely lights up)
    
    Thanks
    
    Brian.
    
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2204.1SUBURB::FRENCHSSemper in excernereThu Jan 13 1994 14:5713
        Assuming at is a 5 watt output then 500 ma should do. If 25 watt 
        then 2 amp will be more likely.  Go for a 3 to 5 amp pwr supply 
        then there should be no problems at all. If however you wish to 
        upset the neighbours with 300 watts of noise a cool 25 amp may 
        be just enough to keep the fuses from popping. 
        
        
        These figures are best guesses using the formula I = P/V ie 
        currant = power divided by voltage (12v). I could be totally 
        wrong and will accept better judgement.
        
        
        Simon
2204.2FORTY2::PALKAThu Jan 13 1994 15:3511
    I would think you would need at least twice the output power of the
    radio. Car radios are not designed to be ultra efficient, and the
    cheapest way of building an amplifier will result in the same amount of
    power being dissipated in the amplifier as in the speakers.
    
    So if the radio is 2 outputs at 5W then you need 20W of input power, or
    about 2A. If the radio has a fuse, or if the manual tells you what fuse
    to use, then you know that you will not need more current than the
    fuse rating.
    
    Andrew
2204.3CHEFS::TAFF::WobRobert Screene, UK Finance EUCThu Jan 13 1994 15:386
Infinity just launched a Class D car amp into the UK car market.

Apparently Class D is much more efficient, running very cool, but 
it's fiendishly complex to build for the car environment.

Rob.
2204.4I've always used a car battery chargerSUBURB::VEALESMore undercompensatedThu Jan 13 1994 18:531
    
2204.5ThanksESSB::DOODYFri Jan 14 1994 14:1215
    Thanks a lot ,
     
    I reckon that About 2amps should do the job!
    I tried an old scalextric transformer last night (1 Amp)
    and it worked better but the tape was slow at all but very low volume.
    
    re -3 : I never thought about checking the fuse rating
            it was the obvious thing to do!
    
    re -1 : Yes the trusty battery charger is what Im using at the moment
            charger --> batterg --> radio/cassette
    
    Brian.
     
    
2204.6FORTY2::PALKAFri Jan 14 1994 15:1613
    The scalextric transformer must be providing enough current, or its
    safety cutout would have operated.
    
    I think you probably need something with a better output waveform The
    scalextric transformer will probably not have any smoothing capacitors,
    and the radio is probably designed to run from a fairly smooth DC
    supply. Its own supply decoupling capacitors would not be capable of
    holding the voltage during the gaps in the output of the transformer.
    You might improve things by putting a 2000 microfarad capacitor (at
    least 25V) on the DC supply to the radio. (I'm surprised you did not
    notice a lot of hum)
    
    Andrew
2204.7WOTVAX::63872::CraigHello!Tue Jan 18 1994 15:478
A regulated 13.5volts 3amp power pack available from Tandy/Maplin etc will 
do the trick.  About 20 quid.

By the way, if you're using the scalextric transformer and the tapes too 
slow, try using one of the hand controlers....


8-)  ..Craig
2204.8humm...CMOTEC::JASPERStuck on the Flypaper of LifeWed Jan 19 1994 16:407
    
    I hope that the amplifier circuits dont pick up too much hum from the
    transformer...
    
    
    Tony.