Saw these online a while ago and recently decided I wanted to try and build one. I found a couple of pages that give me an idea of how it will all go together but but even then it should be noted:



These are the pages that have provided inspiration -
http://www.instructables.com/id/Ammo-Can-Boombox/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Ammo-Box-Speakers-1/?ALLSTEPS

Here are the parts and links I have so far ordered. Some have already arrived and some may take a while since they are apparently coming from overseas. The parts list came from a 3rd webpage I can't find at the moment but had all the parts I wanted and some of the parts I went ahead and ordered so I would have them if I decided to use them.

Neewer® USB Bluetooth 3.5mm Stereo Audio Music Receiver Adapter
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ANDHBNS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

Toggle Switch
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0060U92FS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

3.5mm Stereo Panel Mount Jack
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ML4A2Q?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

Absolute USA 1 In-line ATC Fuse Holder
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007XLDREU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

HitLights Rechargeable 3800mAh Lithium Ion Battery Pack with DC Connector, 12 volt
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007RQW5WG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

Parts Express 2.1mm Panel Mount DC Jack
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002KRCRM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

Generic DC12V to 5V 4 USB Car Charger Step-Down Power Supply Module
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EQ1VH8S?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00

Kicker DS40 4-Inch Coaxial Speaker Pair
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004L6MH96?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

DC 3.2-30V LED 0.56inch Panel Meter Digital Voltmeter
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L8HK2H0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

2 x RCA Male, 1 x 3.5mm Stereo Female, Y-Cable 6-Inch
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I23TTE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

Lepy LP-2024A+ Hi-Fi Audio Amplifier Stereo Power Amplifier Car Amplifier with Power Supply
http://www.amazon.com/Lepy-LP-2024A-Amplifier-Stereo-Supply/dp/B00ULRFQ1A/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1455207861&sr=1-1&keywords=lepai

50 Cal ammo can

Power supply from a dead computer.

First order of business will be to start simple and try and get the amp / speakers / Btooth to run off the battery and get it all laid out and running on my project table. The start adding bits like the voltmeter and USB charger. I may have to go to sealed lead battery instead to run all that though from what I have read. If I can figure it all out then when finally done it will be a self contained unit charger and all and will be able to be plugged into the a wall socket to run / charge the battery.

Should be interesting to try at least and maybe I won't burn myself too many time learning to solder on the fly.

OST

Cool, keep us updated. I've been wanting to build one forever, but I've got a ton of projects already...

My neighbor showed up at the pool with one he made.  Wasn't blue tooth, he had to plug it in.  

I pulled this out next time I went up.

So after I got off work this morning and home from the range I got out the bits I had to see if I can get it to do anything and what I might learn about bits I need and stuff I will need to figure out. Sorry the woman took the camera with her for some yearbook stuff so all I had was an old iTater to take pics with.

Started by plugging in the amp to the wall socket, hooking up the speakers, and using the line in on my my phone to run pandora. Speakers just laying on the bench. Sounded 100x better than crappy cell phone speaker turned all the way up and you can adjust the bass and treble which makes a big difference too.

Next I unplugged the phone and replaced it with the bluetooth device. Nothing. Could not locate it to pair up. Then I realized it was powered through the usb connection. which is male. So I had to dig up one of those power blocks and plug it into a socket on the bench, then plug usb of the bluetooth in and connect from there to amp with the line in. Works great! I can tell a difference in sound quality I think. But not an audiophile so it's not enough to be an issue. But this means I am going to have to find a way to power the BT. I could skip all that by buying one of the more expensive receivers with either built in USB ports or BT connectivity. But where's the fun in that? And they were more $. Maybe on the next build.

So next was would it run on the battery? The battery and the amp use the same type/size connector for the power line so it just plugged right up no issues and played fine. But the battery only has a single port so to charge it currently it has to be unplugged from the system and connected to the charger. Ideally I want to figure out how to either wire it so it will switch from the battery to charge and run off a wall socket automatically when it gets plugged in but I may have to settle for a manual switch.

So what did I learn today? If all you want is a battery powered amp for your phone etc. its stupid easy and plug and play. Might just have to add a line in port if you wanted through the can or drill a hole and pass the line in cable through a grommet.  

Will edit the pics back in later when they finish uploading. Being stuck on a cell hotspot for internetz blows.

ETA - pics
Front of Amplifier - box includes 5.5mm 12v power cable


Back of Amplifier


Speakers - included in the box were some clips and screws 2 speakers and 2 face plates, 2 sets of wires and a small pckg of crimp style joiners.


Bluetooth Dongle - comes with a short line in cable


Making sure the amp and speakers work . Powered by a wall socket and music from headphone jack of the phone. If all you wanted was a wall socket powered boombox to plug your phone / ippod / etc into this is all you need.


Next i swapped out the phone for the bluetooth dongle. It requires power via a usb connection so I had to hunt up a power brick to plug it in.


After that I unplugged the amp and plugged in the battery. The battery uses the same 5.5mm connection as the amp so it just plugs right it. Once I get a Y splitter for the power off the battery and a 5.5mm to usb converter I will have everything need for a basic battery only operated boombox. However the way it sits now the battery would have to be unplugged from the system and plugged in the charger for recharge.

Currently stuck trying to power the bluetooth dongle. Got a usb power block that plugs into the wall, 2 prong, and.pulled the guts out. Tried to solder a wire lead to each of the connections on the board where the prongs made contact but it wont power up when plugged in.

instead of a 120VAC wall plug, go get a cheap car charger to take apart

Tagged for interest.

I did something somewhat similar...

I had these old el cheapo speakers, a set of Pioneer 4.5" speakers and a small, $10 bluetooth speaker just sitting around... decided to try and make the bluetooth speaker better. Tore all of that apart, enlarged the speaker holes, so the Pioneers would fit, and then installed the bluetooth board, mic and battery in one of the speaker boxes. It has been working all winter long and sounds pretty decent.

This spring I'm going to build a wood speaker box and put a 200 watt amp, a better bluetooth board, the Pioneer speakers and probably a computer power supply to power it all, inside the box.

My interest is peaked....Is the audio quality and volume the same as, or better than, a commercial bluetooth battery power portable speaker?  The battery pack I imagine will last a decent bit of time.

I could see myself making a few of these for any potential tax payer funded business trips to 3rd world wonderlands I might take

I have that same exact amp powering some speakers for my garage.  I just plug my phone directly into the amp with a cable.  I might have to invest in one of those Bluetooth dongles.

I didn't make mine blue tooth, just the 3.5mm jack

Get one of these to take apart and power with 12V parts-express

It's alive! Sort of.

Well it's spread out on the workbench making racket.



Got the usb step down charger in the mail yesterday from bangladesh or where ever. It was estimated to arrive mid march so yay. Tossed the wall charger. From there it is a simple matter of running the + from the battery into a Y split to the amp and and the step down. Then do the same for the -. Plug dongle into step down for power and then line cable over to amp.

Done.

Still need to wire in the switch that will go on the outside of the box and find a new one. The one I got looks pretty meh after good a look at it in person.

And trying to figure out how to wire the thing so I can just plug the charger cable into an external socket to charge it instead of having to remove the battery.

Then I will try and get the thing into the can lol. And have not decided it I am going to make a wood insert liner for the can or not. Think I will try without first.

I dont know about better. I have really only had one other bluetooth radio and this sounds better even spread out on the desk.  And it's a hell of a lot better than my cell phone volume maxed out. I imagine alot of the variables have to do with the quality of the components. Most of mine are pretty cheap.