Home stereo system, with a car head unit? Options

[aslearvert]

I have a sony head unit laying around (and some speakers) from my last car and I was just wondering if anyone has ever made a car cd player into something that you can plug into the wall and use for a home stereo. I'm pretty sure its possible. Any specifics I could get like a how-to, or a link would be great. I wanted to post this in the wiring forum of 6gc, but I thought it was too off topic.

thanks!

[D-Man]

Yeah, you need a D/C converter. Radio shack sells what you need for like 60-100 bucks. it has to convert A/C to D/C, NOT vice-versa.

they're hard to find due to the popularity of dc-ac inverters (so people can use regular plugs in their cars ) but you want one to do the exact opisite, convert the wall outlet to direct current. I've got mine from a pawn shop, that's how they test head-unites and subs.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1YAY4

This is an example, but 400W will easily push a head unit w/ regular speakers. Now if you want to push a amp w/ subs too, you'll need a bigger one. The example above is for a 400W converter.

EDIT: after you have a power source; you'd wire it like a regular car stereo; just splice the Constant and Acc. Now; If you want to save radio stations, presets, ect; then you're going to want to put a toggle switch on the acc line between the inverter & the head unit; so that you can turn the radio off; but save the station. (and use mimimal power) but be fore-warned; DC converters use up a fair amount of electricity.

Have fun

This post has been edited by D-Man: Jun 20, 2008 - 2:03 PM