Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (April 2007, week 3)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Tue, 17 Apr 2007 06:49:12 -0500
Reply-To:     Matt Roberds <mattroberds@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matt Roberds <mattroberds@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Everybus photos
Comments: cc: The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <20070417031909.CLWR17111.fed1rmmtai107.cox.net@fed1rmimpi01.cox.net>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

> From: The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM> > Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 23:04:12 -0400 > > Electronic keyboards are no better, since these are usually acoustic > jams in the middle of a field with no electricity; wandering up with > a cheesy Yamaha plastic keyboard with 4 inch speakers and D batteries > just wouldn't cut it.

Get a guitar amp with a good speaker but thrashed electronics, or an old stereo speaker. Also get a two-channel car stereo amp (50 to 100 watts or so) that has bridgeable outputs, and a couple of gel-cell batteries. Put the amp and the batteries in the bottom of the cabinet and wire it up. Also wire the batteries to a connector on the outside of the cabinet, so you can (Vanagon content) plug it into the van to recharge while you're driving home. If it's an old stereo speaker, mount a handle to the top so you can schlep it around. For a guitar amp or a speaker, you could even put some lawnmower wheels on it if you're feeling really lazy. :)

Using the power of math, I will try to show that this isn't an insane idea. 50 W is 4.2 A at 12 V; the amplifier won't be 100% efficient but you could probably get 66%, making it draw about 6.3 A. The keyboard itself probably doesn't need much - maybe another 1 A @ 12 V, giving you a total draw of 7.3 A. A 12 V, 12 Ah (20h) gel-cell weighs about 8.8 lbs (4 kg) and could give you 7.3 A for an hour before being completely dead. This is an hour of tunes at 50 W continuous - in other words, turn the volume up all the way, tape down the lowest key on the keyboard, and walk off. At less than full volume, and with not playing speed metal on the piano, the average draw will probably be less, making the battery last longer.

Matt Roberds


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.