Ways to power deck for testing purposes?

[rsquared]

I have an old Pioneer double din deck that stopped working properly and has been removed from my car. I would like to run some tests on it. I'd prefer not to hook it up to my car battery. Anyone have any other suggestions on safe/economical ways to power the deck outside of the car for testing?

I've seen some youtube videos where people hook a deck up to a battery charger like this one: http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/3/Batteries/BatteryChargers/PRDOVR~0111507P/MotoMaster+Eliminator+Intelligent+Battery+Charger% 2C+2A%2B4A.jsp?locale=en (http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/3/Batteries/BatteryChargers/PRDOVR%7E0111507P/MotoMaster+Eliminator+Intelligent+Battery+Charger% 2C+2A%2B4A.jsp?locale=en)

Thoughts?

[stevenma188]

If you have an old computer laying around, you can take the power supply out of that and turn it into a 12V power source.

[kjmckenz]

If you have an old computer laying around, you can take the power supply out of that and turn it into a 12V power source.

It's true! Clicky! (http://www.instructables.com/id/Convert-an-ATX-Power-Supply-Into-a-Regular-DC-Powe/?ALLSTEPS)

Edited to add: Same thing - different method (http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply)

[rsquared]

Thanks for the help! Unfortunately I don't have any old pc power supplies, but will see if I can get one cheap.

[kjmckenz]

Thanks for the help! Unfortunately I don't have any old pc power supplies, but will see if I can get one cheap.

I dunno where you're located, but TigerDirect sometimes has PSU's for sale around the $20 mark. While they aren't designed to run a powerhouse, if you can find one then you're pretty good to go. :)

[rsquared]

I dunno where you're located, but TigerDirect sometimes has PSU's for sale around the $20 mark. While they aren't designed to run a powerhouse, if you can find one then you're pretty good to go. :)

Thanks for the tip! Found a seller on Kijiji willing to part with one for $15.

Currently trying to read up through all of the "how-to"s. Are there any minimum specs that you would recommend?

[kjmckenz]

Thanks for the tip! Found a seller on Kijiji willing to part with one for $15.

Currently trying to read up through all of the "how-to"s. Are there any minimum specs that you would recommend?

That link shows the item as not being available... Regardless, you linked a 400W supply and one of the tutorials state: "My 400 Watt power supply can deliver 23 Amps through the 12V rail, and 40 Amps through the 5V. That's very good for something that, aside from the initial cost of the PSU, cost about $10."

I'm sure google can assist you in finding additional specs on something like that.

[Slade]

I've used a car battery charger numerous times without a problem.

[rsquared]

I've used a car battery charger numerous times without a problem.

Thanks for the feedback. If I can find one at a good price, I will buy one so I don't have to go through the trouble of hacking a computer power supply.

[Default User]

some car audio shops would be able to test out a deck.