JCase Blu

Here is the second installment of my budget suitcase speakers.  I renamed it JCase since before I didn't have a name for them except Boomcase Mimic.  Please enjoy.

Step 1: Parts and Tools List

Parts:
Lepai 2020A+ Amplifier
1970 Samonite Blue Suitcase
2 used Isophen 4 ohm VW Rear speakers/ 2 philips 8 ohm Front tweeters from a 1993 Corrado VR6
1 philmore DC panel mount jack
1 3.5mm panel mount jack
1 retractable 3.5mm male to male audio jack
1 L.E.D volt display meter
Poly-fil (from the store or old stuffed animals, sorry Teddy Ruxpin)

Tools:
12v-18v drill
1/2" Drill bit
1/4" Drill bit
hand saw or in my case a stainless steel kitchen knife ( router is faster)
solder, soldering iron
electrical tape
voltmeter
Dremel, sanding bits
Plastic masking
3M or similar masking tape
pencil
ruler

Fun:
Walking Dead on AMC and a six pack of Ithaca Flower Power IPA, or a cocktail I looked up on  my "Mr. Bartender" app

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.LEO.Mr_Bartender&hl=en
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mr-bartender-mixed-drink-bartending/id505867992?mt=8

Step 2: Design

I strayed from a stock mockup in a cardbaord box to just a simple design placement in photoshop.  The main difference from this case compared to the BoomCase Mimic is the L.E.D volt meter for the battery. 

Step 3: Masking/ Cutting

-Tape up your suitcase, draw your template
-Drill starting holes, and cut into the box, a router would be ideal but I only had a stainless steel kitchen knife
-Dremel your holes smooth and to fit the speakers

-This time the plastic was at least about 1/4 inch thick so it took me way longer to cut.  I think it's time to invest in some power tools. :)

Step 4: Finished

Finished product next to Boomcase Mimic.  Please enjoy.  I'm considering selling these so if your interested please message me and I will also do commisions if you have a specific case you want to be built.  Thanks for reading.............  Keep on creating..

Step 5: Battery

Anker® Astro3 10000mAh Multi-voltage 5V / 9V / 12V 2A External Battery Pack:

Step 6: Video

Sound TEST 1:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdaIhkhKLkc
Sound TEST 2:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HexwRFiAjjY

Comments

[phil_breg]

Hi guys,

That a cool boomcase!

Anybody have a electronic drawing for me to understand the concept?

Many thanks,

Phil

[ekim13]

where'd you get the cool power switch?

[jm31181]

EBay has them or Amazon. Look for the one that says on and off some of them say on and on.

[anigault]

Great and inspiring!

Just ordered an Anker® Astro Pro2 20000mAh.

Here's the link http://www.amazon.co.uk/20000mAh-Ultra-High-Multi-...

Do you think I'll be able to power a Lepai TA2020?

Want to make a mini boombox with it.

Thanks in advance.....

[jm31181]

Yes the amp takes dc 12v. See if the battery comes with a male to male dc plug. If so ur golden.else buy one.

[gbreeve1]

Super cool! i have made two now but i am working on adding the anker astro 3 battery to the second one. How did you connect the astro 3? I got one from amazon and it did not come stock with a matching output cable for the lepai amp. Also, my astro 3 says 10000mah but only 5 volt output charge. Is this the wrong one?

Thanks

[johnthat]

Hey Mate,

Awesome instructable. In the middle of constructing my own Suitcase Boombox and had a few questions for ya!

1) Using that anker astro how long can you run your case? How long does the Astro take to fully charge? (I just ordered a RC li-po battery and charger and have some buyers remorse :( )

2) New to instructables.com, do you actually have a video for this or is that still in the works?

[jm31181]

Hey you still need help with this? sorry I was away and didnt check this for a while.

[jm31181]

Ive switched to a lithium 9000mah battery. the new battery runs for over 12 hours at a very reasonable volume ( wake the neighbors). the anker will run for longer than that. Im guessing 20 hours. Both are more than enough for you to rock out for the night or a weekend. If you still want a video, ill work on it...

[jm31181]

Video added. The anker battery can run for over 20 hours at half volume.... I turned it off at around 15 hours.... still 3 bars left on the battery meter. Charging can be calculated by dividing the battery capacity which is 10,000mah by the output of the charger which is 1000mah. So if it was dead it would fully charge in 10 hours. Else you can do some calculations and guess how long it takes to charge. if the battery is 50% that's 5000mah so that will be 5 hours and so on and so forth for all diff %'s of battery life. Hope this helps.

[jm31181]

Hey.... it's great your making a suitcase speaker system. The last time I timed the Anker battery it lasted me 10 hours and was at I believe 50% of charge. I did not time from dead to full charge so I can't answer that one. I do have a video for this case, let me see if I can upload it this week for ya.

[Budweisser]

What other speakers can I use? Or do I have to use the one's specified? I guess I'm trying to ask is what do I need to know if I plan on using different speakers?

[jm31181]

using different speakers is possible. You can use any speakers you want really. The AMP will only output so much power to each channel so as long as your speakers handle that power as a minimum you can put anything into the case of your choice. It's about sound but also 90% design and making it beautiful.... sorry for the late reply....

[jm31181]

ADDED VIDEOS.... THANKS!

[Phoghat]

I first saw these on Etsy and really like them, but the prices, IMO, were ridiculous. I live in Mexico and old suitcases are just not available, so I used a wooden speaker enclosure like you'd use for a set of car speakers/sub-woofers. I used a larger amp I found on eBay of 100 W/channel . Turned out great, even my wife uses them.

[jm31181]

yea the Etsy ones are not mine. That's someone else who made ones and were selling them on Etsy. If you were really in need of a suitcase I can see what we have in the states and send you one. If you send me a pic that will give me an idea on what you are looking for and if I run into one it will just cost you the price of the case and shipping and handling. Else I'M going to sell the blue one and we can negotiate a price together.

[Phoghat]

Thanks a lot, but I'm going North to NY in March and will probably ring one or 2 back with me, dual purpose LOL

[jm31181]

Nice......... good luck.

[ChrisE123]

What kind of Drivers are they? Great job by the way!

[bertus52x11]

Very nice!