Battery-powering an amp

Flaneur · #1 06-27-2010, 11:01 AM

I was thinking of getting a busking amp but then I wondered about using battery power. I suppose a generator would be another solution but I want something easily portable - more like the car jump-start backup batteries, or the things used for camping. Could I run an ordinary combo in this way?

steveksux · #2 06-27-2010, 11:07 AM

Just need to find a 120v AC battery.

Except all batteries are DC. So you'd need an inverter that runs off the batteries to generate AC power of sufficient voltage/power to run the amp. The more powerful the amp and the longer you want it to operate, the more batteries, the larger inverter you'd need.

I'd check out some battery powered amps, you don't need a lot of volume to play street corners, too much volume will get you kicked out.

Randy

pasta4lnch · #3 06-27-2010, 11:12 AM

I just did an insane amount of research into this for a film I'm involved w/. Randy is right about an inverter - and I learned that deep sea batteries will probably be the best, longest charge w/o getting into crazy specialty stuff . . .

I've seen lots of guys in the Time Square subway in NYC on my way home from work. they almost always have crate taxi's (carvin also makes a battery powered PA for the same $$ that looks a little beefier) and I've seen some w/ inverters and small batteries too

I ended up w/ a bunch of amps - one being the small taxi and it held it's charge for a fairly long time. wasn't too loud though and I imagine w/ bass it'll probably kill the speaker after a while on full volume but I was definitely impressed, it did more than I thought it would

4-stringB · #4 06-27-2010, 01:08 PM

Yo, dudes, a relatively simple setup I assembled for a campground gig on one occasion was, use a small inverter to run your pre-amp(@ 120V), and use an automotive sub amp (@12v) to power your speakers.The marine batteries (deep cycle) will work the best (not sure about deep sea batteries, never heard of them) It may not be the last word in top of the line sound, but it sounded pretty dang good, and a lot of folks were impressed by the unique approach. When trying to build something like this, or in any other discipline, do not be locked into a fixed approach, but look at any and all possibilities. Ya never know...Cheers...PS..My son was really pissed when I stole some of his car stereo stuff...

pasta4lnch · #5 06-27-2010, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-stringB

The marine batteries (deep cycle) will work the best (not sure about deep sea batteries, never heard of them)

that's what I meant . . .

grisezd · #6 06-27-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-stringB

Yo, dudes, a relatively simple setup I assembled for a campground gig on one occasion was, use a small inverter to run your pre-amp(@ 120V), and use an automotive sub amp (@12v) to power your speakers.The marine batteries (deep cycle) will work the best (not sure about deep sea batteries, never heard of them) It may not be the last word in top of the line sound, but it sounded pretty dang good, and a lot of folks were impressed by the unique approach. When trying to build something like this, or in any other discipline, do not be locked into a fixed approach, but look at any and all possibilities. Ya never know...Cheers...PS..My son was really pissed when I stole some of his car stereo stuff...

That's a killer idea. Maybe to go one step simpler you could use one of those stomp box preamps. No AC in the whole rig.

4-stringB · #7 06-28-2010, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grisezd

That's a killer idea. Maybe to go one step simpler you could use one of those stomp box preamps. No AC in the whole rig.

Outstanding!! I was thinking of a way to eliminate AC altogether..Cool...Cheers...

fingertap · #8 06-28-2010, 10:06 AM

Ever heard of "The Sonic Impact T-Amp?"

A "...Class T integrated amplifier, based on the Tripath TA 2024 chipset..."

I have one of the originals. The (rave) reviews don't do it justice!

I do not use mine for busking, per se, I use it to drive 2 x2 Bose speakers
which were originally part of a surround sound 5-speaker system.

Hooked to my laptop, unbelievably great sound. uses 8 AA batts, or 12V+ a little bit.

Current requirement is between 3 to 5 Amps.

There are other flavors, more suitable to busking.

Look around online for reviews, pricing, availability...

~

R. Laevinus · #9 06-28-2010, 10:48 AM

Roland makes battery powered amps suitable for busking. I reccomend the Street Cube - surprisingly decent bass tone, and the cones won't blow even if you crank it.