Car amplifiers are built to provide dependable, powerful output in a tough environment. Why not take advantage of those capabilities at home? The problem is that car amplifiers are made to operate on 12-volt DC power, not the 110-volt AC power we use in the home. Yet, with the addition of an AC to DC power supply, you can put your car amplifier to work at home.
Instructions
1. Decide where you'll place the amplifier and power supply. Both components will generate heat when operating, so pick a spot that is ventilated and provides at least one inch of open air space around each component. You'll also want to have ready access to an AC power outlet for your power supply.
2. Cut a length of insulated power and ground cable long enough to reach from the power supply to the amplifier. Consult your amplifier's manual for the recommended gauge for the power wire, but as a rule of thumb don't go thinner than 10-gauge wire. Strip 3/8 to 1/2 inch of insulation from the ends of each piece of cable.
3. Cut a length of 16- or 18-gauge insulated wire the same length as the power cable. Strip 3/8 to 1/2 inch of insulation off both ends of the wire. Twist together one of the bare ends of this wire with one end of the power cable.
4. Using a crimping too, crimp ring terminals onto the end of the power cable with the added wire and onto one end of the ground cable. Ring terminals are round, ring shaped connectors that are crimped onto the ends of bare wires to provide a solid electrical connection when you're attaching power or other cables to post connectors.
5. Loosen and remove the thumbscrews or wingnuts on the power supply's power and ground terminal. Slip the ring terminals over the posts and replace and tighten the thumbscrews or wingnuts.
6. Loosen the screw terminals of the amplifier's power, ground, and remote terminals with a Phillips screwdriver or hex wrench. Slide the appropriate wires into the openings and tighten down the screw terminals you loosened previously.
7. Plug in the power supply and switch it ON---this will turn on the amplifier.
Tags: power supply, power cable, power ground, amplifier power, ground cable, inch insulation
