How to Hook a Car Amplifier Up to a House Outlet

Car amplifiers provide a lot of power in a compact package, perfect to use for high-fidelity amplification of music. But since they're designed to be powered be a 12-volt power source, it may seem that they can't be used in the home. Fortunately, if you want to power portions of your home audio system with a car amplifier, there is a way. You'll need a 110-volt to 12-volt DC power supply, some wire, and just a little bit of time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Eight-gauge amplifier power cable
• Wire cutters/strippers
• Eight-gauge amplifier ground cable
• 18-gauge insulated wire
• Two ring terminals
• Crimp tool
• Screwdriver
• Hex wrench
• 110-volt AC to 12-volt DC power supply

1. Cut a three-foot length of amplifier power cable (use at least eight-gauge cable for the best power transfer) with wire cutters. Strip a half-inch to one inch of insulation from each end of the cable with your wire strippers.

2. Cut a three-foot length of amplifier ground cable (at least eight-gauge). Prepare the ends of the cable as in Step 1.

3. Cut a three-foot length of 18-gauge insulated wire with your wire cutters and strip one inch of insulation off each end of the wire.

4. 
   Ring terminals

   Wrap one end of the 18-gauge wire around the bare end of the power cable. Slide a ring terminal over the end of the cable, then crimp the ring terminal onto the end of the cable with your crimping tool.

5. Add a ring terminal on one end of the amplifier ground cable by sliding the ring terminal onto the wire, then crimping it onto the wire.

6. Loosen the set screws for the power connection on the amplifier. This will be labeled "12V positive (+)." Depending on the amp this will require a screwdriver or a hex wrench. Slide the end of the power cable that doesn't have a ring terminal into the opening and tighten the connection so that the cable is held securely.

7. Loosen the set screw for the remote turn-on lead. This will be labeled "REM" or "Remote." Slide the end of the 18-gauge wire into the opening and tighten.

8. Loosen the set screw for the negative ground connection on the amplifier. It will be located next to the amplifier's power connection and labeled "Negative (-)" or "GND." Slide the end of the ground cable without the power ring into the opening and tighten.

9. 
   Power supply

   Remove the wingnut on the power and ground connections for your power converter. Slip the positive cable's ring terminal onto the positive connection and the negative onto the negative. Replace the wing nuts and tighten them down.

10. Plug your power supply into a wall outlet and turn it on. The amplifier will turn on and can be used for amplification.

Tips & Warnings

• Check your amplifier's specifications for current draw when buying a power supply. A converter that doesn't provide enough amperage to the amplifier will inhibit its performance.
• Don't turn on the power supply until you've made all the described connections.

References

• Car Stereo Cookbook; Rumerich; 1999
• Electronic Projects for Musicians; Craig Anderton; 1980

Resources

• 12-volt AC to DC converters