Now many have used computer power supplies to run various devices in the past, car stereo equipment included. I wanted to do one that had a little style to it, yet didn’t break the bank. It had to be able to fit in with a variety of décor, as I wanted it to be portable. One could easily take my design further and equip it with ability to also run off a battery back, maybe finish the panels in brushed aluminum or even do away with my humble folding antenna and take advantage of the stereos built in relay to power on/off a motorized antenna, adding some nice visual movement to the unit.
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I started with an MP3 CD player unit that also had USB and standard input jacks to play music off every thing from a thumb drive to your average Ipod. The beauty of this unit is that it has a remote, something I used to mock, but now appreciate. It used to be housed in my poor 80’s Tercel, before it bit the dust with a blown head gasket this fall. 30 bucks new with free shipping, love that ebay!
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The case came from a book shelving unit, made of MDF and finished in a red satin finish that my loving wife was willing to let me use, even though it broke up a set of 4. The front and rear panels were completed in pine, with a neutral satin varnish. Normally I am not a fan of mixed finishes, but I think it works in this case.
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Speakers came from various sources, The center 20watt sub-woofer and resonating port came from a el-cheapo computer sound system. The two 10watt side speakers came from Sony battery powered auxiliary speakers. I didn’t bother with an amp, as the radio is all ready pushing out 50 watts per channel, and my low rated speakers don’t need it. Surprisingly the sound coming out of the unit is amazing, clear tight highs, resonating mid-tones and some decent base.
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Grill for the front was found in a box of odds and ends, the two chrome side grills are actually trim rings off ceiling mounted fire extinguishing sprinkler heads. With the backs cuts down a little the look awesome.
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The handle came off an old defunct sewing machine box.
- The antenna was a cheap after market product purchased to go on the Tercel and then promptly misplaced. Its recent re-discovery initiated this instructable. Oddly enough it lends a nice military look to the unit regardless of the colour scheme.
Note – “This is one of those creations conceived and constructed during a single night of insomnia. Not thinking, I did not take any photos initially so this instructable will be a little reverse engineered. Any gaps have been made up with drawings of the construction and careful labeling of detailed photos. I recently added an antenna, and this was fully documented.”
The video below kinda sucks, waiting for my daughter to open her Christmas present, so I can borrow it! For now this will have to do, by the way its State radio playing - So Bohemian Grove. Saw them last year at the Commodore in Vancouver, awesome!
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Signing UpStep 1: Supplies & Tools
- 1 mod style book case, open on both sides. approx 18" high, 10" wide and 8" deep
- 2 3/4" thick sections of wood panel that will fit the interior dimensions of the book case to form the front and back
- 4 wood battens, 3/4" square by about 12 inches
- 2 3" mid range speakers
- 1 5" sub-woofer speaker
- 1 3" tube port - optional
- 1 functional computer power supply
- 1 car antennae - stubby works best
- 1 car stereo - best to find one that accepts a multitude of inputs and playable media
- 5 minute epoxy, or suitable strong, thick adhesive - I used alot, I found them at the dollar store super cheap, 2 for a dollar. Normally they are 6 bucks a pack - score!
- Hot glue sticks, about a dozen
- screws of various sorts, lengths will be determined by your case choice.
- varnish or wood finish of your choosing - or perhaps au natural!
Tools used:
- Jigsaw
- Measuring tape
- Drill and drilling bits
- Circular saw
- Glue gun
- Dremel, angle grinder or tin snips - to manipulate any metal bits that need manipulating!
- Paint brush
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http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/22/oval-bookshelf-is-the-perfect-case-for-this-diy-car-stereo-radio/
NOW I WONER IF A COMPUTER POWER SUPPLY WOULD POWER BOTH
AND WITHOUT ALOT INTERFERENCE NOISES. MY CAR STEREO HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY HOME STEREO. i'M GOING BUILD A STEREO OUT OF A SMALL FORM FACTOR PC CASE AND JUST HAVE RCA PLUGS FOR SPEAKERS IN THE BACK. i CAN GET ALL SORTS STERO SPEAKERS AS ITS COLLEDGE TOWN AND AFTER GRADUATIOIN THEY DONT WANT THE LARGE STEREO TO STORE.
nice. but i think 600-1000 w are necessary, but if you build capacitor bank then your machine will get the power. At least you can crank it up a little.
But cool thou."
Most newer car stereos are rated at 200W of Peak Output. 50Wx4
These all have fuses to protect them rated at 10/15 amps.
The supply being rated for 11 amps on the 12V rail should supply plenty of power to crank a car stereo up beyond distortion. Just a little electronic theory, not bashing by any means.
the technology is pretty basic folks, Ive been using old ATX power supplies for years as bench test supplies. a trip to Wiki will give you a pinout for your needs.
this 'able actually has me a bit inspired for a nice wood working project as i have all the guts lying around. but I would like to make mine long and low with stereo speakers instead of long and high.
as for an automatic extending antenna? most of those things have a long internal body that's at least as long as this unit is tall.
but yeah... I think I may need to build my own boom box
think about a gel cell 12v battery and charging circuit for pure portability... as in instead of using a old ATX power supply for the backbone power.. how about one of those 3-1 jump start boxes instead? you can usually pick up one of those at the big box stores for $20 and up and will give all the break out points plus the battery...
hmmmm... ideas, ideas
And I personally have a ATX fully pined out for control voltage experiments. in my little "lab"
one of these days I'm going to get around to making my instructable, but as it is, all my crazy ideas are basicly jump offs of other fol;ks ideas.
what I realy like about this one is the wood work as I have been modernizing old school HiFi consoles for a number of years with new technology. and most of those things were designed as nice furniture that have audio stuff installed in them.
what i wold do to hijack this idea would be to take this idea, is lay it on its side, go true HiFi stereo with it and make a fine wood cabinet for it, use a jumper box as the PS for portability.
OH! Ideas are SWIRLING!!!!
if and when I do something like that I would link back to this one as the inspiration of course!
But cool thou.
http://www.dotcomgiftshop.com/4-white-retro-storage-cubes
and here is an example of the exact set we bought, only in turquoise
http://hubpages.com/hub/cube-shelf
try this search under google, this is the exact name of the shelving unit
4-piece set Azar Display Designer Cube shelf
I paid 30$ for the set at a store that was just open for Christmas, but I have seen them at other liquidation type home stores. usually the smaller boutique type ones. Think one was called x-wares, hope this helps
I think I will add a switch so my kid can take it to his tree house and run it off the car battery he uses for lighting