View Full Version : How do you use a computer power supply for car audio???
Big_C_racing
04-28-2004, 05:26 PM
I am wondering how to use a computer power supply at home to run my car audio stuff. I have searched the forums and haven't been able to find anything on how to actually do it. First off....I have a relativly new computer and it has power connectors with 4 female connector inputs. Can this supply be used at all?? Can it be used with the cpmuter hardware still hooked up??? and finally how do i do it??? I also have an old computer sitting around somewhere that I could use if this is not an option.
Big_C_racing
04-28-2004, 05:27 PM
Also....what would i use for a ground wire???
Don't do it - you'll fry the power supply. Most computer powersupplies can only supply about 5amps for the 12v circuit. It's enough to run a headunit but that's about it and amps are out of the question completely.
Big_C_racing
04-28-2004, 05:30 PM
Crap.......well guess that's the end of that. Thanks for the help
You can get decent 12vdc power supplies at electronics shops but depending on what you're trying to power you'd need to get one with high amps - and those get expensive. Plus you'd need a high amp AC circuit too(most need 35amp 120VAC) and those aren't cheap to run either.
Gonthro
04-28-2004, 05:48 PM
i just use a power adapter from a coleman cooler, works great
Zero102
04-29-2004, 12:17 AM
35amp 120VAC, what is a very high amperage power supply indeed, would probably put out 250-300amps @ 12V, depending on the effeciency.
I use a computer power supply to run an amp and 12" rockford sub in my closet, I can get about 100 watts to the sub before the power supply overloads and shuts off. Which is more than enough for my little computer room (a.k.a my walk-in closet).
If you're just powering up decks and stuff, use an old AT style computer power supply, yellow and black wires.
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