Introduction: Simple IPod Amp

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About: I like to tinker with just about anything, sometimes it works out in the end. Have fun looking at the projects, try tearing something open and let me know how it goes. cheers, -Joe

I wanted a simple iPod amp for my garage. You need listen to something when you are working on your bike right?

I only had one extra stereo speaker, so I only made it mono. If you have two speakers, just make this twice and you have a stereo amp.

The name of the game here is simple, but feel free to make it more complicated and nicer if you feeling the urge.

I also included steps on how to fit this in a army surplus case and make it a portable amp for your ipod.
UPDATE: I have kits
I have been asked for parts and where to get them a lot since I posted this. If anyone is interested I have kits now with everything you need to build this for $50 + $5 shipping.

Send me a PM with your email address if you are interested.

Thanks,
-Joe

Step 1: Parts

Parts:
-Radio Shack Phono(RCA) Jack 274-346 $3.99
-4 small nuts and bolts.
-Radio Shack DC Power Jack - 274-1576 $2.59
-Any old 8-12V wall wart that fits the power jack. $Free
-Radio Shack project box 270-283 $3.99 .
-Velleman 7W Mono Amp K4001 $10.00

If you make the portable model
-2 9V snap connectors 270-324
-2 9v batteries $5.00
-Power switch 275-612 $2.99
-470 ohm resistor
-LED
-Army Surplus box ??? I used a signal light box.
-Old computer speaker
-Old earphones or some old 1/8" stereo jack headphone jack.
-Piece of screen
-4 nuts and bolts

Tools:
Drill
Soldering Iron
Tin Nibbler
Screw drivers
Wire strippers
Needle Nose Pliers

Step 2: Assemble the Amp.

Assemble this Amplifier kit and make sure it works. The kit comes with instructions but the PDF is available on the Velleman website www.vellemanusa.com. If the idea of soldering the kit up is a little intimidating they also sell the kit assembled for $1.00 more.

Step 3: Put It in the Box.

If you are going to make this a portable model, skip ahead to step 3.
Line up the power jack, rca connector and two nuts on one side of the project box. Make sure there is room and mark the locations. Start by putting in the power connector. Drill a hole for it with the your drill and a 1/.4” bit. Then move on to the RCA connector and do the same.
Now you will drill holes for your speaker jacks. They are just your bolts and two nuts.

Step 4:

You are almost done now. I remove the posts on the velleman kit and use just standard solid 22awg wire. I use 2inch pieces so I can have room to solder the connectors on the project box later. For the connectors you are putting in, I like to solder 2inch leads on them before I fix them in the box. Drill a hole in the top of the box to replace the heatsink the kit comes with.

Step 5: Done If Not Moving...

Turn it on, you finished. If you want you could add a power switch and an LED to show it is on. If you use an LED, make sure to use a resistor (470 should be good but 1000 will work too).

Step 6: Going Mobile

If you want to make a portable version...
Survey your army box and see what you have to work with. Mine included a lamp, which worked! Putting that aside for another project.

Step 7:

Take your speaker apart. I was going to make it stereo with two amps, but I did not have the room in the box with these speakers.
Mark the mounting holes for your speakers.

Step 8:

Now you need to cut out a hole for the speaker. I found a round cap that was the same size as the speaker and traced it out

Step 9:

I used a nibbing tool to cut out the circle from the metal lid. First drll a hole then poke the bibber through and go to town.
File or dremel the the hole to make it smooth when you are done.

Step 10:

Cut out a piece of cheep screen to cover the speaker. Admittedly this is really just for looks.

Step 11:

Attach the speaker with your four nuts and bolts.

Step 12:

Drill a small hole on the left side of the box to attach the amp to. This giant metal box is going to take the place of the heatsink the amp kit came with.

Step 13:

Attach the amp, it's a good idea to cover the bottom of the amp with tape to keep from shorting out on the metal box .

Step 14:

Hook everything up with alligator clips and make sure it works, if you did this earlier then you can skip this step.

Step 15:

I lined the box with some foam I had around the house.
To run this off of batteries solder two 9v battery connectors together, solder the black to the negative on the amp, and the positive straight positive on the amp, I wanted to make this run off of batteries or a wall wart, so I also added a switch and a dc power jack

Step 16:

Solder the speaker wires to the amp where it is marked LS.
I cut apart an old pair of headphones and used the cord to connect it to the amp. Cut the cord and tie the white and red cable to the red cable marked IN on the amp. Solder the negative cable to the negative and your are finished.

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