How can I get 12 volts to my car stereo from a wall outlet in my house?

Question

I want to hook up a car stereo in my bedroom to hear music

Answer 1

You need to but a power converter. You can get one at radio shack for under $40.00 that will work great.

Answer 2

You need a 14 volt adapter. I will tell you why. Your car runs 14 volts when it is running and this is what the cd player runs while in the car. I will tell you from experience that a 12 will not work on some stereos it doesnt push enough power. If you have an old cordless drill or phone with a powerpack just cut then end off and hook it up to your stereo. Make sure you connect both power wires to the hot wire and the ground to the other wire. Goodluck.

Answer 3

You will need to purchase a power inverter that will change 120 volts into 12 volts. These can be purchased at just about any electronics store (Best Buy, Circuit City, Radio Shack, etc.) and are relatively inexpensive. If all you are connecting is a car stereo, a unit with a smaller ampere rating (less than 25 amps) will work just fine.

These units typically come with a cigarette lighter plug on the face (you can pick up a piece that connects into this and provides you with a 12 volt positive and ground) that will run your radio in your room. If you plan on adding anything additional (amplifier, crossover, TV, etc) to this unit, get one with a much higher ampere rating.

Answer 4

Go to Radio Shack and pose that question to them. 'Cause at Radio Shack - you've got questions and they've got answers.

You will need a converter that changes 110 volt ac into 12 volt dc. You will also need some way of connecting your car stereo to the converter. If the converter comes with a recepticle like a cigerette lighter outlet in your car, then you will need to wire-in a cigarette type plug to your stereo (be careful, it matters which way the wires are hooked up!). If the converter doesn't have the recepticle, you might have to put lugs on the ends of the power and ground wires of your stereo.

Now, if you're powering some amplifiers with your car stereo, you will need more powerful, more sophistcated converters. Check with Radio Shack, they should be able to advise you.

male, 45, Louisiana

Answer 5

You'll need a 12-volt, DC power supply. They are available from various sources, and will be rated by current capacity. Power supplies that can produce more current will cost more. If you're just planning to connect a head unit and speakers, you can get away with a power supply rated at 7-10 continuous amps. If you're planning to use an amplifier, then you'll need more current.

Answer 6

Buy a 12 volt converter

Answer 7

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

All of the above that state you need a 12 volt adapter are true, what they are failing to say is that it needs to be of considerable amperage as well. See what size fuse is on the radio and match it up with 12 Volt X amps supply.

Let's say it has a 5 amp fuse. Your power supply would then need to be at least 5 amps as well.

1000 mA = 1 A (Some power supplies are rated in this fasion)

Be prepared to spend some $$$ though.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Answer 8

assuming the stereo is in the car, you could hook up a battery charger, available any auto parts department. If it is in your home the battery charger would work but it isn't all that practical.

Answer 9

You need a 12 volt adapter. I dont fully understand what you are doing though

Answer 10

You need a 110-12v converter available at most Hardware stores
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/jsearch/product.jsp?pn=153963
you will have to wire your stereo with a 12v plug. if it's not permanent make sure your contacts are well insulated from each other.