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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/26/2013 : 04:56:02

I bought a lithium battery powered speaker from Microcenter and plug it into the iphone running pandora. Sweet. Ran all day without a charge.. You can charge it on the boat using the USB connection. Love the sound.. and from such a small speaker. I was shocked.

Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel

Edited by - on

shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 03/26/2013 : 07:35:50

I did that all last year, was a cool way to get tunes cheap, and quick. I bought this thing:
http://www.rakuten.com/prod/portable-wireless-bluetooth-stereo-speaker-for-android-phones-mp4-ipod/224175798.html

$28 wasn't bad. However, it only lasted about 4-5 hours before it crapped out. Was plenty loud though and did bluetooth and direct wired. Charged via USB... so I'd plug it in when I got to the boat, and stream for hours...

I am quite sure the one you got will hold up better than mine (I dropped mine a few times about 1 foot - and um, it slid off the seats a few times, so the case is taped together now), but for $28 I am not complaining.

This year I've upgraded to a stereo install... I'll let you know how that works out (not a lot of money at all invested). I think I have $80 invested in that (and a decent amount of time). [url="https://www.catalina-capri-25s.net/cgi-local/MBR_gallery.cgi?Album+2057+110"]
<b>Stereo Install Capri 25</b>[/url]

Edited by - shnool on 03/26/2013 07:43:45

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5430 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2013 : 07:01:43

I'm looking for a self-contained boombox type radio that can take a stereo line in, maybe USB or Bluetooth, that will plug into a 12v lighter plug into my battery booster/jump starter for working around the boat on the hard. I saw a Bosch all in one (radio, CD player, boombox, flashlight, tire inflator and battery jumper) for a few hundred bucks, but that's overkill.
I have a small portable single-speaker radio with a 12V supply, but it doesn't have the power level needed. I'd like something like 10-15W per channel. Any suggestions?

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shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2013 : 08:51:31

You are probably better off/cheaper buying a car radio and making your own. Even building a box, and shoving a car radio in it, and 5.25" speakers woudl likely be cheaper, and easier to rig.

My initial thought was get a Dewalt boombox, but they are plug in, or run off the rechargeable batteries. Yep build a box, shove the components in it, and get it done for under $80.

Now you make me wish I made mine portable!

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Voyager
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5430 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2013 : 13:51:11

I think I have an old Sony boombox in the basement that takes 8 D batteries. Hmmm, maybe I can just solder in a power receptacle connector ……

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Voyager
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5430 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2013 : 17:43:59

The classic Sony boombox worked great.
It has an FM, CD, cassette, graphic equalizer and an 1/8" stereo line-in for my iPod.
I checked power with my ammeter and it runs fine on 12V DC and uses only 1/4A with the volume on 1/2 way. It was plenty loud. I did not try a CD or tape, but that probably takes a little more power.
I put a lighter plug on 25 ft of #14 stranded speaker wire and soldered it in. I measured 12.3V DC at the boombox so I have a 0.3V drop on the wire.
It's totally portable since the boombox and the battery booster each have a handle!

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2013 : 03:50:29

Sweet... I bought a Sony radio that I thought might work well for NPRs prairie home companion but unfortunately the station drifts. Not so much the radios fault as the station transmitter needs to be stronger, and others near it are bleeding.

It pretty funny.. I can listen to the whole show on the radio, and then select the News From Lake Woe .. ( his monologue ) on podcast and I miss the static... ( as in it doesn't sound right without the static )

Thanks for the electrical draw information on the sony boombox, I've been wondering what different speakers require. All I kept hearing was 40watts. I'm gonna keep my eye out for one of those.

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4029 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2013 : 13:50:48

We use this radio, Has an aux in for the ipod,Has a built in battery charger so put rechargeable batteries in it and at the end of the day just plug it into the boats cigarette lighter and its good to go next day or you can leave it plugged in and it runs off the boat battery. Fits out of the way in the coaming box with the side benefit of the coaming box acting like a speaker box. Its a little pricey though at about $199. Didn't want a built in so this really fit the bill for us.

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Voyager
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USA
5430 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2013 : 18:30:39

Ray, I wouldn't say that all radios of a given wattage per channel are as efficient as this particular Sony.
I was surprised by the current numbers, but its power draw is designed to run on D-batteries. Non-battery radios may not be so efficient.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2013 : 05:03:49

<< Non-battery radios may not be so efficient. >>

Ya got that right... I was thinkin I'd like a coupla tube Marshall amps in there but I dont think the 12watt solar panel will run them

Edited by - redeye on 04/02/2013 05:16:36

shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2013 : 05:22:29

Well TUBES are likely out of the question, but you can do solid state Marshall: http://www.marshallamps.com/product.asp?productCode=MG2CFX

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2013 : 05:23:45

Scott ... thanks for the strobe recommendation, and the radio looks like the ticket for me...

Our geek friends ( PhDs from Ga Tech ) built a metal lunchbox "boombox" they use with lithium batteries.. Works great.. only one small problem.. the batteries cost them about $175 bucks.

I wish you could see these guys, just like big bang theory group.. with one riding a scooter to work with battery operated electric heated gloves...

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2013 : 06:48:08

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I did that all last year, was a cool way to get tunes cheap, and quick. I bought this thing:
http://www.rakuten.com/prod/portable-wireless-bluetooth-stereo-speaker-for-android-phones-mp4-ipod/224175798.html
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I really like your bluetooth choice John, except I'd like it to have a mic also so it can double as a hands free device. Have seen these somewhere but can't put a finger on it at the moment.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5430 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2013 : 14:41:57

Whoa Ray - I'm one of those geeky Ga Tech alums. Never know when you need heated gloves!
I found some awesome lithium batteries at a very decent price. They're 3v Li phosphate cells you see in solar lights. I got 4 at the Home D store for $25. Four in a radio shack battery holder provides 600 mAH on a charge.
A better setup is 10 NiMH AA cells providing 12VDC at 2400 mAH.
Depending on brand, these are available for $25.
The Home D store also sells 12.6VDC 7AH gel cell lead acid batteries for fire safety lighting. Maybe $30-40?
All these power sources will serve to supply portable electronics like radios and powered speakers.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts

Response Posted - 04/03/2013 : 03:56:47

<< Whoa Ray - I'm one of those geeky Ga Tech alums. >>

I always get tickled hearing what they have goin on at home, and then when you finally get them to tell you what they are doing at work, you find out they have changed the world. My cheers go to the engineers .. never seen a group stay so well on task with the real issues at hand. You ought to hear a group of photographers get together. Talk about wanderlust...

Yepper.. sometimes I just wanna go into Batteries Plus with a cup of coffee and ponder the possibilities.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5430 Posts

Response Posted - 04/04/2013 : 19:11:58

Hahaha …
Change the world, no. But make a few improvements, yes.
Never dull.

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