I'm trying to modify my powered subwoofer's (ESW-C10) internal amplifier so that it can accept direct DC power. I believe the amp currently converts AC input to DC, but I'm wondering how to bypass that conversion process. Any guidance on how to accomplish this? I'll appreciate any tips or suggestions! Also, I'm considering using an inverter for now until I can afford a proper DC amp.
2 Answers
It sounds like your subwoofer has some AC-to-DC conversion going on inside. If you're handy, you might be able to bypass those conversion components entirely by feeding it DC directly. However, without a detailed schematic or actually taking it apart, it's hard to determine the internal setup. If you're just planning to power it for now, a DC-to-AC inverter is a solid choice; they're pretty cheap, easy to set up, and quite efficient these days! Are you looking into this for a car setup or something similar?
Keep in mind that most power amplifiers run on higher bipolar voltage rails—typically somewhere between +/- 30 to 100 volts DC. This means you can't just plug in 12 volts DC. If you really want to skip the AC power and go direct, you need to supply the correct split rails at the right voltage and current. If that's too complicated, a better alternative would be to just replace it with a DC-powered amplifier instead.