This is a write up on how to make a LOUD portable radio for camping/houseboating etc...
My friend showed this to me last year and I borrowed his for all our camping trips and it worked out great so I figured I'd build my own this year. I wanted to make it as cheap as possible so I'm sure you could buy a better amp and better speakers and it would sound even better but price was the biggest factor for me so I went with cheap speakers and a cheap amp. If your wondering if this is better than the Dewalt portable radio, I own both and I can tell you its 10x louder, sounds better and lasts much longer. I'll include a list of parts that I used with links also. Here we go:
Old metal 5 Gallon gas can
6x9 car speakers(naxa nx-768) $25
http://www.amazon.com/NX-769-6-Way-S...5468626&sr=8-6
If you really want great sound you can go with these:
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio--9-...5468737&sr=8-1
Amp: Boss 200w CE202 $38
http://www.amazon.com/BOSS-Channel-M...5468862&sr=8-1
Battery: 12v 18ah UB12180 $43
http://www.amazon.com/18Ah-Sealed-Le...5469224&sr=1-4
Fuse holder and fuses: $8
http://www.amazon.com/Scosche-EAFH-S...5468990&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/Link-AGU30-amp...469055&sr=1-10
RCA to 3.5mm cable $10
http://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-St...5469113&sr=1-3
Deltran Battery Tender Jr. $28
http://www.rvplus.com/deltran-batter..._campaign=bing
Any switch from radio shack $4
Can of spray on bedliner
http://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-TR...sr=1-2-catcorr
Total cost is around $150. I can't tell you how long the battery will last since I haven't ran it down yet but I will say that my buddy used a regular ATV battery(which isn't made to last very long) in his and it ran for about 10 hrs before dying so I'm guessing and 18ah battery will last a lot longer. Also after complete, the can weights about 30 lbs. We drilled a hole in the middle of the cap for the battery tender cord and 3.5mm jack to stick out.
Anyway, I hope I explained this well enough. I'll try to check this thread every once in a while to answer questions but if you need to contact me just email at
snowboarder4_15@hotmail.com.
Have a good summer!!