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.