How to test a radio outside of a car?

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=82881
Printed Date: May 12, 2025 at 10:54 AM

Topic: How to test a radio outside of a car?

Posted By: Supermoose
Subject: How to test a radio outside of a car?
Date Posted: September 14, 2006 at 5:14 PM

I was wondering if anyone had any instructions on how to bench test a radio without installing it in the car or using a car at all.

Thanks

Replies:

Posted By: cntrylvr79
Date Posted: September 14, 2006 at 5:40 PM

Grab a 12 volt power supply capable of supplying about 10 amps. Wire up the radio to that, then grab a couple cheap car speakers and hook them up to the radio. There ya go bench test a car stereo without a car.

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Cause I'm So white and nerdy...
First Class Certi-fried installer

Posted By: bj99
Date Posted: September 14, 2006 at 5:42 PM

I use a switched computer power supply. There is one wire that you have to hook to a ground (black wire), cant remember off hand but after you do that the yellow wires put out 11.5 - 12.5 depending on the power suply's wattage. I actualy use the power supply to run a carstereo in my house.

Posted By: Fastlearner
Date Posted: September 14, 2006 at 10:57 PM

If your looking just to do a quick test to see if it works, just hook it up to a car battery. If your looking to do a liitle more indepth type of thing you can find test benches or build one using a power inverter.

Posted By: Blinden
Date Posted: September 15, 2006 at 4:17 PM

it's a green wire, on the computer PSU, it's a green wire near the middle of the ATX connector. This is what I do.

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2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X579 HU
More on the way...

Posted By: supradude
Date Posted: September 15, 2006 at 4:24 PM

Radio Shack has a power supply, Ac to Dc, for a small price.

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'85 Toy

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