THe_DeTAiL3R Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 I got my JVC CD player hooked up to an old computer power supply, and it works (although I don't have speakers hooked up to it). Wondering how many watts does a typical headunit use? If it woun't blow up, I might hook up some speakers and use this as a little stereo in the bathroom...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psych0matt Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 dude, thats an awesome idea! I have a few lying around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Hes gonna be sitting on the John rocking out to the tunes! Most HU's are like 22w x 4. But if your asking in terms to power it, 12v power source. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THe_DeTAiL3R Posted September 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Most HU's are like 22w x 4. But if your asking in terms to power it, 12v power source. I know they put OUT about that much, but consumption might be different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Cutlass94 Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 I know its 12v power source. But by going with Ohm's law, you need to know the amps of the HU to get how many watts it needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pontiac6KSTEAWD Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 If its an aftermarket headunit where the units wire harness hasnt been touched much, it should have a inline fuse. My Pioneer is 20A. And its one of those 50x4 units, so its not a cheap unit. So I think for my Pioneer, its 240 watts. Which I think any power supply from a computer has. Now if it was my Pioneer Premier unit, it would be 360 watts. I dont think you are going to get much more than 360 watts on any head unit because thats using a 30A fuse. and you cant get them any higher than that as a general rule i beleive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 It's not watts, it's the amperage that they use. There should be a little sticker on your HU that tells the voltage and amperage. Usually they range in the 10-15 amp range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THe_DeTAiL3R Posted September 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 Yeah it's got a 15amp fuse it in. The power supply I got is an old AT 250w from 1994, and I actually found it in an computer in the SCRAP YARD when I worked there doing security..LMAO. It's nice cause it's got the on/off button unlike the modern ATX power supplies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92 GP Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 Yea you can't necessarily determine wattage in terms of "usage" as watts is an output measure. Amps would be what you need to measure. You should have your output watts, as well as your power source (12v) you can figure your watts using Ohm's law Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runt Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 I'm more curious to know how an AT power supply HAS a switch on the back, where an ATX doesn't. I haven't ever seen an ATX power supply without a switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GnatGoSplat Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 Chances are, the 12V output of an old AT power supply can't supply enough amps at full demand. The sticker should say how many amps are available on the 12V output. Usually the 5V outputs could supply more power because that's what powered the CPU and all the logic circuits. It wasn't till the newest 24-pin ATX power supplies that the 12V outputs were able to deliver more power (all new high power CPUs and the PCIe bus run off the 12V rails). Anyway, the power consumed will depend greatly on volume setting, the type of music being played, and whether you're using any mechanical parts (i.e. radio vs. CD player). Chances are, it will be fine unless you really like cranking it up while on the can. Besides, you got the PSU for free so if you fry it, who cares. Personally, I prefer peace and quiet when I'm on the can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runt Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 Personally, I prefer peace and quiet when I'm on the can. Gotta have the Elevator music while doing business ya know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THe_DeTAiL3R Posted September 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 I'm more curious to know how an AT power supply HAS a switch on the back, where an ATX doesn't. I haven't ever seen an ATX power supply without a switch. Sorry.. I meant it has a switch wired up (the one that normally goes to the front of the case). No switch on the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pontiac6KSTEAWD Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Personally, I prefer peace and quiet when I'm on the can. **looks at your avatar** Somehow I dont beleive that one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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