Audio Systems: Car Stereo 120v AC Wiring, car stereo components, kenwood car stereo


Question
I have a Kenwood car stereo system that doesn't fit any of my cars anymore.  I wanted to install it in my garage, wired to house current thru an adapter or transformer. What is the best way to install it to house current?  The only thing I found was a DC power supply at radio shack for $75. That seemed steep, but maybe it's the only way. Also, how can I wire an antenna to work in this situation?

Answer
You're a man after my own heart!  I've run many car stereo components at home in fact my current home theater has audio control EQs and crossovers in it. The radioshack solution is a nice finished solution that should provide enough current for this application (10 amps). But it is over priced. I have had the most success using computer power supplies. They have a 12 volt portion and a 5 volt portion. If you are like me you'll have a few sitting around the house. If you have to buy one, go to tigerdirect.com. They list the current output in the details of every model for every voltage. They have them up to 35 amps or so!  All you have to do to make it work is cut the green wire and any black wire on the large coonecter, strip the ends and tie them together. This will turn the power supply on. Then use a few yellow wires together for posative and a few black wires for negative. (2 or 3 will provide more current than just 1).  Don't use the reds or any other colors.
Let me know how it goes.