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So you're trudging through the woods, just you, your guitar, and your amplifier. Suddenly, a large bear approaches and you have no option but to shred him with your insane guitar skills! (running is not an option, as everybody knows that you never run from a bear, you fight him)
Unfortunately, there are no power outlets within sight! Steeling yourself for your grisly demise, you try to play a song acoustically.. but it's not loud enough. As the bear reaches over you with his jaws, you wake up. And are aware of the need for a portable amp. But, since you are a musician, you are obviously at poverty level and can't afford a small portable amp. So what do you do? You build one, for free of course, out of everyday parts.
Unfortunately, there are no power outlets within sight! Steeling yourself for your grisly demise, you try to play a song acoustically.. but it's not loud enough. As the bear reaches over you with his jaws, you wake up. And are aware of the need for a portable amp. But, since you are a musician, you are obviously at poverty level and can't afford a small portable amp. So what do you do? You build one, for free of course, out of everyday parts.
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For this project, we will actually be using an Ibanez bass amp, and a bass guitar (my electric guitar isn't in yet, and the amp is obviously far too big to be portable, and this was just laying around).
Also, please keep in mind that this is a simple proof of concept project (proof for myself), and is in no way safe, complete, stable, smart, etc.
Basically, what we are going to do, is take this combo amp, and run it off some batteries, to make it portable. Why? Read the intro ;)
So what you need (and you should be able to find this anywhere in your house, friend's house, roommates gym bag, etc.)
Supplies:
2x9v batteries
2x9v battery clips
Wire (thicker is better, try 10awg)
Alligator clips (preferably 4)
Switch (SPDT)
Duct tape
Amp
Guitar
Also, please keep in mind that this is a simple proof of concept project (proof for myself), and is in no way safe, complete, stable, smart, etc.
Basically, what we are going to do, is take this combo amp, and run it off some batteries, to make it portable. Why? Read the intro ;)
So what you need (and you should be able to find this anywhere in your house, friend's house, roommates gym bag, etc.)
Supplies:
2x9v batteries
2x9v battery clips
Wire (thicker is better, try 10awg)
Alligator clips (preferably 4)
Switch (SPDT)
Duct tape
Amp
Guitar
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At most, those standard 9-volts are gonna give you 1200 mAh (for Lithium-Ion), more likely 560 mAh and that's not much. Rechargable Nicad "9-volt" batteries produce closer to 7.2 volt, putting you at 14V, with the added bonus of being rechargable... but with a lower total capacity(about 120 mAh) but that could be fixed by running in serial and parallel.
If the circuitry can run at 12 Volt... use a pair of 6volt lantern batteries.. or better still, a "sealed lead-acid" battery out of an old UPS, or new from the store...
"(a)add to the already heavy weight,"
yep, but 5 pounds for the 8Ah battery i found for $12
"(b) cost more than amp itself"
how cheap was that amp, and where can I get one? ;-)
"(c) most likely leak at some point."
Eventually, those 9-volt batteries are gonna leak too....
Modern sealed batteries have very little chance of leaking and can be safely used in any orientation...just don't cook them, or they'lll off gas and that's bad for your circuits.
"I've been meaning to look into some higher voltage batteries"
even with the 2x9volt.... you SHOULD try to use some kind of voltage/amperage regulation... even more so, with bigger, more expensive batteries...
Would make a FUN collaboration...
Here, I'll start :-)
And consider putting the batteries down, on the bottom of the case if the back panel is removable. it'll make it seem lighter, through better load balancing.
use a 12-volt rated switch(like the one you're using now :-) and mount it on the case... splice into the 13volt wires, sending one straight to the battery, and the other to the second battery terminal, by way of the switch(interrupts the circuit when "open") ...
Now, when it's plugged in, 13 volt goes to the amp as normal.... when the power goes out, you flip the switch, and presto... battery backup power.
If you get really funky, Remove the transformer completely...
in it's place, wire in a "battery tender"... and of course a battery.
Now, when it's plugged it, it runs off the combined might of the trickle charger and the battery... when it's OFF, but plugged in, the battery is charged/maintained at peak readiness... when It's unplugged, throw the switch to ON, and rock out!
Since it's all ICs... and I see what appears to be on-board voltage regulation, you could probably drive it with anything from 11.5 to 18 volt(at least that's what the ICs in my radio are rated at), and let the beastie take care of itself.
And for heavens sake, GET SOME ELECTRICAL TAPE! $1-2 a roll el-cheapo from the store is just fine... or, if you wanna get spiffy, a $5 bag of heat-shrink tubing from the local mothership... er, I mean Radioshack... or wherever. If you're gonna be hacking electrical stuff... electrical tape, and a soldering iron will be your friends :-)
http://www.smokeyamps.com/