Current From An Amp

[platinum_]

hey guys, i came across a used car amp rated at 260 watts, and for 5 bucks decided what the heck, i got some 60 watt speakers and home and should work perfect by hooking upto my pc. but my problem is finding a power supply for it, i have no idea how much current it needs, i am guessing 260/12 but dont know much about watts to speakers, and watts in the power supply. If anyone knows approximentally how many amps i would need to run this thing at home with 12 volts please leave a post, thanks.

[Jahntassa]

260 watts might need somewhere around 15 amps. Basically, look at the fuse on the amplifier. You'll need a power supply that can put out at least what the fuse requires. It also depends on how loud you get it.. It might be best to do something like, get a car battery and a little 10/20 amp battery charger..that way you won't destroy the power source when the subs hit.

[platinum_]

thanks alot , but i;m wondering if an old computer power supply would work ? the ones i have laying around are rated at 250-300 watts, i guesse thats bsed on 12volt and should be enough ?

[Jahntassa]

Well, if you can get the power supply to turn on without a motherboard, that's the first step. And...no. That won't work. Audio wattage and computer wattage are two different things. Computer power supplies aren't built sturdy enough to put out the kind of variable power an amplifier requires. You could try it, but you're going to burn up the fuse, power supply, or even the power wires from the power supply.

[cdFxer]

If the PC power supply is only rated at 250~300 watts, then it is doubtful it will supply enough amperage on the 12V leads for the amplifier.If you want to even try it, I would suggest connecting all the +12V leads together, that is the only way you will be able to pull amps even close to the power supplies rating. Dont forget to do the same for a ground connections (black wires).And the biggest gotcha-noise! The PC power supply is (usually) a big ol' switching power supply. Cheaper ones do not always do a good job of filtering the harmonics and other noise out. This can either result in lots of noise in the amplifier or play havoc with the switchmode power supply inside the amp (rare, but Ive seen it in other applications).If it is ATX, then you will have to simulate the mobo power on signal-look up the pin-outs on the ATX power supply connector specs. Some will not read rated voltages w/o a load on them. Some wont start w/o a load on certain outputs...lovely, eh?

[platinum_]

i really dont want to waste all that time for a 260watt amp, just wanted to hook it up for the hell of it for some sound from the pc. i guesse i'll just find the right power supply somewhere and plug her in thanks again guys for your help.