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Powering a boombox

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by neon tetra, Apr 14, 2012.

  1. neon tetra

    neon tetra Member

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    Would it be bad for the electrical system to leave the car on for a few hours a day on a weekend camping trip & run one of these - RV-NB70 - JVC Kaboom CD Radio Boombox With iPod/iPhone Dock at Abt
    through a DC to AC converter plugged into it? I would leave everything else off (fans/lights/radio) in the car.
     
    #1 neon tetra, Apr 14, 2012
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    If the Prius is in READY, it will be fine.
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Apr 14, 2012
  3. neon tetra

    neon tetra Member

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    Now I just need to find a good size inverter. The radio is only 40w total, but I guess I should get at least 100?
     
    #3 neon tetra, Apr 14, 2012
  4. CookieGuru

    CookieGuru Member

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    The inverter needs to supply at least as much current as the device(s) you are powering. Going above and beyond won't make any difference.
     
    #4 CookieGuru, Apr 15, 2012
  5. SquallLHeart

    SquallLHeart The Techie Guy

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    my thoughts are.... why don't you get a bunch of batteries? so you don't limit yourself from being hooked up to the car to listen to it..

    which btw, the car itself has a nice audio system to begin with that you could use... cause you're... already willing to attach a boombox thru an inverter from the car.

    (though i suppose at that point you can run a long extension cord...)

    but.. i'm still wondering why you can't buy a bunch of batteries though.
     
    #5 SquallLHeart, Apr 15, 2012
  6. CookieGuru

    CookieGuru Member

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    A boombox can be aimed at a certain area to provide the best sound. All the speakers of the car face inwards.
     
    #6 CookieGuru, Apr 15, 2012
  7. neon tetra

    neon tetra Member

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    You can barely hear the system from outside the car. & it takes 10 D batteries, so it would eat through those too quickly I think. I have rechargeables, but it only does 4 at a time, so it would take 3 runs just to get batteries, & they probably wouldn't last very long.
     
    #7 neon tetra, Apr 15, 2012
  8. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    Suggestions:

    1. Wire the inverter directly to the 12V battery, with a proper fuse. Many inverters will blow the cigarette lighter fuse even if they are only rated 100W.
    2. Only run the inverter with the car in Ready.
    3. I have two 400W Cobra inverters and can recommend them. http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B001RNOHBC?tag=priuschatcom-20
     
    #8 seilerts, Apr 15, 2012
  9. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    For an even more environmentally friendly solution get yourself a little 12V jumpstart box (you can get these pretty cheap) and wire some short leads straight to the bombox battery terminals that you can jumper to. Then get yourself a little solar battery charger to keep the jumpstart box charged and you're not tied to the car. As an added bonus you've go a kit that can really get you out of trouble if you do get a flat battery in a remote camping location!

    BTW. Even though that thing is rated at 40W (at 10% THD), in practice you'll probably be listening to it at significantly less wattage, especially if you don't want to annoy other campers. Many people greatly over-estimate how much power is needed to listen to music at a reasonable volume.
     
    #9 uart, Apr 15, 2012
  10. CookieGuru

    CookieGuru Member

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    Standard Alkaline D batteries are 1.5V and typically have a capacity of 12000-18000 mAh. Rechargable NiMH are 1.25V and the better batteries are in the 10000–12000 mAh range. Since capacity is the same or less, and voltage is significantly less, the boombox will die sooner on rechargeables. (Sources)

    My vote is to leave the boombox at home. I know you don't want to hear my music, and I don't really want to hear yours either.
     
    #10 CookieGuru, Apr 15, 2012
  11. neon tetra

    neon tetra Member

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    Well.. thanks for the vote, but considering I'll be at a music festival, I don't think the music will be a problem. =P



    I already have one of these -[​IMG]
    for regular campgrounds & hotel rooms.
     
    #11 neon tetra, Apr 15, 2012
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