[Azure]

[I posted this in the "Cables, Power, Tweaks, Speakers, Accessories" forum, but I figured that I'd get more responses here]

I bought a pair of bass shakers that came with an amplifier specifically designed to be used with them. The problem is, unfortunately, that it seems that the amplifier was meant to be used to hook up the shakers in a car. On the back of the amplifier are 2 spots for connections -- the ground and the +12V. With a car I would just hook up the ground to the car chassis and I could get the +12V from the car battery...but I want to try these in my room.

So, how can I power it? It seems that I need a 12V DC power supply unit...is there any cheap one that you guys can recommend (cheap as in <$50)? How would I hook it up to the amplifier? Also, how can I safely ground this amp? This is what the rear of the unit looks like:

Amplifier/Bass Shaker specifications

 

[MisterX]

All you need is a sinple 12 volt dc power source, like this--->
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=120-538
(random example)

And a couple of wires.
The catch is you have to pick one that will not burn up when the speakers start thumpin.

Are the model number and or power requirements listed in the spec sheet?

 

[eddiewalker]

I bought a few pairs of Bass Shakers cheap on Ebay and put one under each seat of my car. I drive an MG, so its too small for anything subwoofer-like, and even too small for anything but two rear speakers.

It doesn't take much to drive the Bass Shakers at all, so I found two cheap ($5) passive crossovers and ran the 'Shakers off the two front channels of my headunit.

Take that as proof that any amplifier you find will likely work, and be a lot more efficient than trying to run something meant for 12v on house power.

 

[Azure]

Thanks for the reply. How would I hook up the power supply to the amplifier? The + out from the power supply would go to the +12V in on the amplifier, but what do I do with the - out on the power supply? What should I do with the ground on the amplifier?

The only included specs are those shown in the picture. The amplifier is only sold in a set with 2 bass shakers; the model number for this set is AST-3B-4 (I don't see any model number on the amplifier itself). Here are the online spec sheets:
http://www.aurasound.com/public/bass...ast_3b_4_a.jpg
http://www.aurasound.com/public/bass...ast_3b_4_b.jpg

eddiewalker - I've been using it with my old receiver right now, and it seems to be driven just fine, but I don't like the loud whirring my amplifier makes and the lack of crossover capabilities. So, I figured it'd be cheaper to find a power supply and get the included amplifier working in my house rather than finding an amplifier online (that I hope wouldn't have a large footprint, unlike the included amplifier).

 

[MisterX]

Quote:

What should I do with the ground on the amplifier?

Normally you hook it to the - on the power supply but make sure it's not a dual power supply that has + - and ground terminals.

See if I can find the power suplly requirements for that model.....
(the fuse rating is usually a good clue)

 

[Azure]

Unfortunately, the only information I know about the fuse is that it is 20 amps (there's no other info on the fuse, amp, or in the manual).

 

[jbloudg20]

Well that gives you an idea of what it takes. You will not need mroe than a 20A supply.

 

[Azure]

Okay, so I just need a 12V DC power supply that delivers anything less than 20 amps? Can you recommend me a cheap one (well under $50 as I'll only ever use it to power this amplifier) that'll do the job that I can get off of eBay?

 

[gates_2]

i actually have a power supply taken from a bose companion 3 that has a 12 V rail, not sure of the max current, but it powered a 2.1 system pretty well, had 33000uF of rail capacitance and the transformer is huge

I'd be looking to sell it for very cheap(well under $50), if you're interested

 

[Azure]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gates_2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif i actually have a power supply taken from a bose companion 3 that has a 12 V rail, not sure of the max current, but it powered a 2.1 system pretty well, had 33000uF of rail capacitance and the transformer is huge I'd be looking to sell it for very cheap(well under $50), if you're interested

Can you send me a picture of it? It's not a "dual power supply," is it? If the fuse on the amplifier is 20 Amps, do you think that it can be driven well with your power supply.

 

[amb]

20A is a lot of current. I am not aware of any cheeep new 12V power supplies that could deliver that much. It'd have to be quite a brute. Maybe look on ebay or a local electronics surplus store, or a swap meet?

 

[MisterX]

Roger that, even the "cheap one's on Ebay" are going to set you back about $100

Random example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/PYRAMID-PS26KX-2...QQcmdZViewItem

There is one bright side... you could always do your own custom anodizing with a PSU like that.

 

[bhjazz]

We discussed something simliar a month or so back. Check this thread out. There are a few links at the bottom which go to some possible options at Partsexpress.

 

[Azure]

What I'm still wondering is how much current I should feed the amp if the fuse is rated at 20 amps (then I think I can decide on a power supply)

Would this be fine? The worse it can do is blow the fuse, correct (and that likely wouldn't happen because the fuse is 20 amps and this unit delivers less than half that?)? Is there any chance that the power supply would become overloaded and a fire or something could happen?

I wonder if it'd be cheaper to just get a T-Amp and an external crossover filter? eddiewalker, where did you get your crossovers? I tried searching eBay but I can't find the type of crossover that I'm looking for.

 

[amb]

You don't "feed" the amp with a power supply. The amp draws whatever it needs from the supply. If you use a supply that is too small, then the amp could overload (clip) prematurely, or possibly blow a fuse or breaker in the power supply, maybe even damage it. If you use a power supply that is rated higher than the amp needs, no harm is done (except perhaps some wasted $$ from your wallet).