4 channel amplifier in a car with your own hands. Powerful DIY car amplifier

Factory-made devices for amplifying the audio signal are expensive and may not be powerful enough. Looking at the photos of homemade sound amplifiers, it is obvious that they are in no way inferior in appearance to finished products. In addition, their manufacture on their own does not require special skills or large material costs.

Device base

Beginner radio amateurs first of all ask themselves: what can they use to assemble a simple sound amplifier at home? The operation of the device is based on transistors or microcircuits, or a rare option is possible - on lamps. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Microcircuits

The TDA series microcircuit and a similar one can be purchased in stores or you can use a microcircuit from an unnecessary TV.

Using car amplifier chips with a 12-volt power supply, it is very easy to achieve high-quality sound without the use of special skills and with a minimum of parts.

Transistors

The advantages of transistors are low power consumption. The device produces excellent sound performance, is easily integrated into any equipment and does not require additional configuration. In addition, there is no need to search for and use complex microcircuits.

Lamps

Today, the outdated assembly method based on tubes provides high-quality sound, but has a number of disadvantages:

• increased energy intensity
• dimensions
• cost of components

Recommendations for properly assembling a sound amplifier with your own hands

A device for enhancing sound quality, assembled at home based on TDA series microcircuits and their analogues, generates a lot of heat. For cooling, you need a radiator grille of a suitable size, depending on the model of the microcircuit itself and the power of the amplifier. There must be a place for it in the case.

The advantage of a self-made device is its low energy consumption, which allows it to be used in cars by connecting to a battery, as well as on the road or at home using a battery. Power consumption depends on the required degree of signal amplification. Some manufactured models require a voltage of only 3 Volts.

We take a serious and responsible approach to assembling a sound amplifier in order to avoid short circuits and failure of components.

Necessary materials

During the assembly process you will need the following tools and components:

• chip
• frame
• capacitors
• power unit
• plug
• switch button
• wires
• cooling radiator
• screws
• hot glue and thermal paste
• soldering iron and rosin

Circuits and instructions for making an amplifier at home

Each circuit is unique and depends on the sound source (old or modern digital technology), power supply, and expected final dimensions. It is assembled on a printed circuit board, which will make the device compact and more convenient. During the assembly process, you cannot do without a soldering iron or soldering station.

The British John Linsley-Hood circuit is based on four transistors without microcircuits. It allows you to similarly repeat the shape of the input signal, resulting in only pure gain and a sine wave at the output.

The simplest and most common option for manufacturing a single-channel amplifier is to use a microcircuit based on it, supplemented with resistors and capacitors.

Algorithm of actions for production

• install on printed circuit board radio components, taking into account polarity
• assemble the body (providing space for additional parts, for example, a radiator grille)

It is permissible to use a ready-made case or create it yourself, as well as install the board into the speaker case.

• run the device in test mode (identify and eliminate malfunctions if they occur)
• amplifier assembly (connection to the power supply and other components)

Note!

DIY home and car amplifiers

At home, there is often a lack of powerful sound when watching movies on a laptop or listening to music on headphones. Let's look at how to properly make a sound amplifier with your own hands.

For laptop

The sound wave amplifier must take into account the power of external speakers up to 2 watts and winding resistance up to 4 ohms.

Assembly components:

• 9 volt power supply
• printed circuit board
• chip TDA 7231
• frame
• non-polar capacitor 0.1 µF - 2 pcs.
• polar capacitor 100 µF
• polar capacitor 220 µF
• polar capacitor 470 µF
• constant resistor 10 Kom m 4.7 Ohm
• two-position switch
• input socket

Manufacturing scheme

The assembly algorithm is selected depending on the selected scheme. It is necessary to consider the appropriate size of the cooling radiator so that the operating temperature inside the case does not rise above 50 degrees Celsius. When using a laptop outdoors, you need to provide holes in the case for air access.

For car radio

An amplifier for a car radio can be assembled using the common TDA8569Q microcircuit. Its characteristics:

• supply voltage 6-18 volts
• input power 25 watts per channel into 4 ohms and 40 watts per channel into 2 ohms
• frequency range 20-20000 Hz

Note!

It is imperative to provide, in addition to the circuit, a filter against interference created by the operation of the car.

First, draw a printed circuit board, then drill holes in it. Then the board must be etched with ferric chloride. After tinning and soldering all the parts of the microcircuit. To avoid power additives, a thick layer of solder will need to be applied to the power traces. Provide a cooling system using a cooler or radiator grille.

At the end of the assembly, it is necessary to make a filter against interference from the ignition system and poor noise insulation according to the following scheme: on a ferrite ring with a diameter of 20 mm, wind a choke with a wire with a cross-section of 1-1.5 mm in 5 turns.

Assembling a device to improve sound quality at home is not difficult. The main thing is to decide on the circuit and have on hand all the components from which you can easily assemble a simple sound amplifier.

DIY sound amplifier photo

Note!

Good sound systems for cars cost a lot of money. The cost of one subwoofer amplifier can exceed a hundred dollars. DIY subwoofer amplifier - much more economical way acquiring such a useful device.

A homemade amplifier is capable of providing the audio system with good low frequencies. In addition, it is possible to make it universal, adapting it to the sound of, say, a home theater.

Required parts and blocks

There are two options for purchasing the necessary blocks: either assemble them yourself by purchasing the necessary parts, or buy them ready-made. The first option saves money, the second saves time. For DIY assembly of a compact amplifier low frequencies you will need 4 blocks:

• Frequency amplifier
• Signal Processing
• Transformer from 12 to 40 V
• Rectifier and switching unit

All blocks are available for sale ready-made. It’s quite easy to purchase them and connect them yourself.

Low frequency amplifier (LF)

First, you will have to get hold of the TDA 7294 board. This is the optimal solution for a low-frequency amplifier. It will cost only about three and a half dollars. The technical characteristics of the board allow it to cope with its functions perfectly. At the output, the board provides 100 watts of power. The only caveat is that the circuit is single-channel, but this can also be overcome.

Video about a DIY subwoofer amplifier

The output transistors of the board must be provided with good cooling. To do this, you will need to bend them towards the board, with the contact (metal) surfaces facing up. Then apply thermal paste to the contact surfaces and place a dielectric film. Install radiators on top. This move will allow you to slightly reduce the size of the radiators to save space in the case.

Signal Processing

The car amplifier is intended for a subwoofer, so only low frequencies need to be extracted from the incoming signal. The power amplifier board is single-channel, so a channel adder is installed at the input to the signal processing unit, which converts a two-channel signal into a single-channel one.

The assembly diagram, drawings and list of necessary parts are on our resource.

Boost converter

Next, you will need a simple transformer with voltage from 12 volts (car power supply) to 40 volts. The ready-made TL494 board is perfect for this role. There are other board options, but for radio amateurs with little experience this is the most suitable option. In addition, this board fits well into this assembly due to its technical specifications, creating a powerful signal.

Switching and rectification

This block consists of two elements:

• Switching block. Using red and green LEDs, it notifies that the amplifier is ready for operation.
• Rectifier block. Designed to stabilize signals supplied to the control unit

Frame

The finished amplifier, of course, will require a housing into which all the blocks will have to be mounted. Here there is scope for amateur activities. Whether you assemble a plywood body yourself or find a ready-made option is up to you, depending on your own preferences.

The case of a DVD player, for example, is well suited for this role. It is compact, looks beautiful, and the outputs on the rear panel can be conveniently adapted for connection to a car audio system.

A unibody aluminum body would be even more suitable. It will also act as a radiator. The boards heat up during operation, so if the case is not aluminum, but, say, plywood, then you will have to organize good system cooling. In some cases, it is even possible to install active cooling, but this design works well with several large radiators.

The prepared parts just need to be connected to each other and placed in the housing. The voltage of the transformer used allows you to install a small fan in the case. It will provide air circulation, which will further cool the boards.

When connecting blocks, it is important to use wires in cambrics. Unwanted contacts can lead to at least a short circuit, and at most to burnout of the blocks. The blocks must be placed in the housing so that air can circulate freely between them. The boards must be secured firmly so that they do not vibrate while the car is moving and the subwoofer is operating.

The finished amplifier can be installed in a car or used for home sound systems. Now good sound is guaranteed everywhere.

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If you make an amplifier for a subwoofer with your own hands, you can select and control the sound parameters in accordance with your own preferences. When assembled correctly, it will work reliably and efficiently.

Purpose

A car amplifier is designed to increase the sound power of the audio system in the car, as well as the normal functioning of the subwoofer. This device will be useful if the standard speakers do not produce loud enough sound.

Often car radios do not have a special amplifier designed to work with a subwoofer. If you connect a subwoofer directly, the audio quality will leave much to be desired.

Main characteristics

The sound volume directly depends on the output power of the device. The higher this indicator, the louder and undistorted sound the speakers can reproduce.

The output power for a subwoofer should be higher than for full-range speakers. Another important characteristic is the output impedance. The smaller it is, the higher the output power and current consumption of the device.

How to do it yourself

You can make a sound amplifier in a car yourself using ready-made kits. This will simplify testing and adjustment, and reduce the likelihood of errors that could lead to incorrect operation. Another advantage is that no radio engineering skills are required.

The kit for self-assembly of an amplifier consists of blocks of a limiter, preamplifier, power amplifier, crossover, stabilizer and control device. Another option is to assemble the device from discrete parts according to the diagram.

Frame

It must provide adequate cooling to amplifier components that may become hot during operation. To do this, slots or holes should be provided, which should be located as close as possible to the output chip. To improve the cooling of the powerful amplifier, a 12 V fan is installed. It will provide additional protection against overheating.

The housing can be made of plywood or metal, such as sheet aluminum or tin. In this case, it is necessary to ensure the isolation of the components and the device board. To improve shielding, you can connect the negative pole of the board to the case. It is necessary to provide seats for terminals that are attached with reverse side. To avoid mistakes when connecting, explanatory notes should be placed on the housing.

Speaker amplifier

First, it is recommended to make a power filter with a fuse. Its rating is at least 20 A. The filter itself includes a choke, which can be taken from a faulty radio, and capacitors. They are combined into a battery to improve operating efficiency.

The filter capacity must be at least 6000 µF. The larger it is, the better the amplifier will perform at high volume. To automatically turn on the device, a mechanical or electronic control relay must be installed. The winding is connected to ground and the blue and white stripe wire of the radio. The contacts are connected to the positive wire gap in front of the filter capacitor.

If you are assembling a car sound amplifier with your own hands from a ready-made kit, then you should connect the blocks in accordance with the instructions. The amplifier and preamp are connected to each other using the included cables. A power stabilizer or voltage converter is connected to these blocks if more than 14 V is needed for normal operation of the microcircuit.

After this, the assembled structure is installed in the housing and secured with the elements included in the kit.

If the amplifier is assembled on a board from separate parts, then you will need to solder them to the required points. When connecting this device directly to the speaker outputs of the radio, it is necessary to provide an adjustable divider. It is not required if the connection is to a line output low level. Wire resistors necessary for protection and matching are included in the speaker terminal gap. Their resistance is 1-2 ohms.

Subwoofer amplifier

It is distinguished by the greater power required to drive the subwoofer, as well as the presence of a low-pass filter. The amplifier chip is installed on a heat sink with a larger area for more efficient cooling.

The sound power of the subwoofer can be increased by connecting it using a bridge circuit. If you need an amplifier in your car for both speakers and a subwoofer, then each channel has its own unit. The entire structure fits into 1 housing.

How to install and connect

Before installation, you should carefully check the build quality and compliance with the diagram in a garage or home. If the amplifier was assembled from discrete parts, then check the cleanliness of the printed circuit board and the absence of solder drops between the terminals of the components. The device should then be powered from a 12V car battery or screwdriver through a 5A fuse. This is necessary to reduce the risk of fire in the event of critical installation errors.

If, after connecting the power, there is a clicking sound in the speakers and subwoofer, followed by a slight noise or hum, and the fuse has not blown, then the amplifier is assembled correctly. If you touch the audio input with a screwdriver, an AC hum will be heard. If a fuse blows, loud clicks are heard, or sparks jump between the power wires and the battery terminals, then there is a short circuit in 1 or more parts.

If there is no sound, clicks or background in the speakers, then a break is suspected.

The next step is to check with the radio. It is connected to the audio input of the amplifier, and power is supplied from the same battery by branching wires. First, you should only apply power to the radio, set the volume to the lowest level to avoid overload, and then turn on the amplifier. The sound must be high quality and undistorted. Otherwise, you need to check the installation for errors.

The speakers and subwoofer are connected to the output terminals of the device, power and sound from the radio are connected to the input terminals. Do-it-yourself installation of the amplifier in the car is carried out after a complete check. The device is placed where proper access and cooling are provided.

To assemble a subwoofer amplifier with your own hands correctly, you need to stock up on free time and patience. You won't need to spend a lot of money. First of all, you need to purchase a power amplifier made on an integrated circuit. Next, we will look at how to assemble a subwoofer amplifier with your own hands based on the TDA1562Q chip.

Below is a schematic diagram of the amplifier.

This circuit, in addition to the power amplifier, has a preamplifier made on a dual microcircuit operational amplifier, which also plays the role of a frequency filter.

When powered by a car battery, the maximum output power of the amplifier will be about 50 W, which is quite enough to “drive” an average subwoofer.

Required equipment and components

So, in addition to the above microcircuit, we will need:

• operational amplifier TL 072 (can be replaced with TL 062, TL 082 or 4558 microcircuits);
• resistors with a power of 0.25-0.5 W;
• electrolytic capacitors (new!);
• non-polar capacitors - film;
• insulated wires;
• thermal paste;
• radiator with a dispersion area of ​​at least 600 cm²;
• single-sided PCB sheet.

Of course, we can’t do without a soldering iron, solder and some skill in handling all this.

Installation

Main amplifier board

The amplifier circuit board diagram is shown below.

A printed circuit board can be made by etching a PCB with a copper substrate with a ferric chloride solution. It is easier to transfer the pattern of the contact tracks onto the board from a glossy sheet of paper on which this pattern is printed using a laser printer. The nuances of this method can easily be found on the Internet on relevant electrical engineering sites.

We solder the parts carefully, removing excess flux. This is especially true for microcircuits. The op-amp chip can be installed via the eight-pin panel.

Remember: overheating of semiconductor elements can lead to their failure!

Inductors L1 and L2 in the output filter of the amplifier are made of enameled copper wire with a diameter of 1 mm, by winding onto a cylindrical core with a diameter of 5 mm. The number of coil turns is 20.

The amplifier chip is installed on the heat sink. It must have an area of ​​more than 600 cm². The role of a radiator can be performed by a car chassis.

After installing all the elements, connect the wires.

Power stabilization and communication unit

In the circuit described above, we used the simplest circuit for powering the amplifier via a battery, but for more stable operation amplifier, you can connect it through a stabilizer. This device you can assemble it yourself (a circuit for every taste can be found very easily on the Internet), but the easiest way is to use a ready-made stabilization unit from an old amplifier or buy a new one.

In addition, the stabilization unit allows you to save car battery power.

Discharge is prevented by a relay with a separate REM terminal, operating under a voltage of 12 V. The terminal is installed at the output of the car radio, thanks to which the subwoofer begins to work together with the music device.

To control the operation of the amplifier, you can install an LED in the power supply circuit of the device.

Final assembly of the device

After mounting the board, we complete the final assembly of the amplifier and place it in the housing. The body can be made independently from ordinary plywood using a jigsaw. A diagram of the required dimensions is drawn on plywood, cut out with a jigsaw and secured with sealant.

You can also purchase the case in a store or use an aluminum box, which will simultaneously act as a radiator.

When placing all the parts in the case, you need to ensure free air circulation in it for better cooling of the parts.

The amplifier housing must be securely fastened in the car.

Before installation, it is important to make sure that the power polarity is correct, otherwise the device will immediately burn out.

We figured out how to make an amplifier for a subwoofer, all that remains is to check its performance. This can be done at home, but in no case should you neglect safety rules, otherwise you may get an electric shock or damage the device. Testing is carried out as follows: the amplifier is powered through a battery and a speaker with a resistance of 20 ohms is connected. A load is applied to the amplifier and the power is checked.

The standard version of the automotive system is not equipped with housings for its component elements. The housing for the components of the audio system replaces the standard places located in doors, dashboards, shelves and racks. Automobile manufacturers suggest the possibility of installing a sound amplifier in a car independently by its owner.

The outcome in terms of sound quality will depend only on you, on your skills and desire to do the job correctly and efficiently. "Homemade" amplifiers Regardless of the variations in their execution, they can enrich the system with rich and high-quality sound or the like of consumer goods.

Self-installation of an amplifier implies equipping the car with an audio system suitable for standard seats. The manufacturer leaves muffled design solutions of certain sizes, which are designed for the installation of a suitable audio system.

It is better to install an active subwoofer in the car interior as a “pumping element”. This low-frequency element of the audio system is already equipped with an individual amplifier and “dressed” in its own housing. Thoughtful for further implementation audio amplifier circuit for subwoofer implies only an increase in volume, but not saturation of the bass with low frequencies. Criteria such as depth, clarity and density are not available to active subwoofers.

Passive subwoofers, in turn, have their own housing and the presence of a low-frequency head, but They don't have an amplifier.. A car subwoofer amplifier is designed to improve and saturate the sound of bass.

Making your own amplifier for a passive subwoofer also involves creating a special housing for it, which will improve its sound qualities. In this case, everyone will need to take into account the dimensions of the subwoofer itself and, of course, the dimensions of your car.

The body must be firmly built and well-cut. Of course, without difficulty, as they say, and without sufficient financial investment, such an amplifier circuit cannot be made. But, as practice shows, it's worth it. Amplifiers they fall into place “like a glove” and “sway like a child”!

If the car amplifier is placed separately without being tied to the subwoofer housing, then this also has its advantages. By placing it on the rear parcel shelf, you do not clutter up the luggage space. Sound amplifiers for cars are available on the market in large quantities and for every taste, color and budget.

But due to the latter, indeed good options don't cost a lot of money, motorists are asking questions about how to make an excellent, truly high-quality amplifier with their own hands, so that it is not inferior to venerable manufacturers.

Principle of operation

To understand the principle of operation of the amplifier, it is necessary to take the first step, from which the path to knowledge will open. And this step is to understand what signals are. Signals are needed to transmit data from one destination to another.

Signals are divided into two types - analog and digital. In our example, we will use an analog signal transmitted through the cables of an audio system, which is analogous to a sound wave, but in the form of electricity, using varying voltage levels. Head device transmits an electrical signal to the amplifier via cables, which corresponds to the sound.

There is an opinion that an amplifier converts a small signal, increasing it to a larger required value. This statement is somewhat true, but only partially. But in fact, the amplifier creates a new signal, which is a clone of the input one.

For comparison, let’s take the operating principle of the well-known copying machine (popularly “Xerox”). You're probably wondering, how can this be? How can you compare technologies that are obviously different? But remember, when you made a copy of a document, you clearly noticed that with its help you can scale the source to a certain size. If, having the original image, you copy it in an enlarged size, you will get two identical images, but of different sizes and on different sheets. That is, the new image is an enlarged exact copy of the old one.

Now let's project this principle into an amplifier. It takes the input signal, copies it and sends the already converted enlarged copy to the output. The analogy we have made, it seems to us, will quite simply and easily give you general idea about the operating principle of a car amplifier. The amplifier receives a weak signal from any playing source and scales it specifically for specific speakers so that the output produces the result you expect. Suppose, in fact, there are two signals at the input and output, but the difference in them is only in power.

Main types and characteristics

Car amplifiers can be divided into two kinds:

- single-channel amplifiers or, as they are also called, monoblocks;

Multichannel amplifiers with up to 6 channels.

Monoblocks

Monoblocks are high-power bass amplifiers. Typically, this type of amplifier is used exclusively for subwoofers. Monoblocks are designed to work with subwoofers with low-impedance loads - 1-2 Ohms. If you can “load” a subwoofer up to 8 ohms, then it makes no sense to take a single-channel speaker purely for it. It will be quite enough to purchase a two-channel amplifier and connect it with a bridge circuit.

Single-channel amplifiers are produced mainly in class D (more on classes later), which means more power, but mediocre sound quality, which is quite enough to connect a subwoofer. Monoblocks include a crossover, which is well developed, and an external volume control, which is very convenient for connecting to a stock car radio that does not have a built-in subwoofer volume control.

Two-channel and three-channel amplifiers

Designed to connect two speakers or a subwoofer. This type of amplifier supports low-impedance loads and is capable of operating in a bridge arrangement. This type Amplifiers are quite versatile and can store the adjustment combinations that are necessary for high-quality operation of the subwoofer. An example would be uniformly amplified bass and low-frequency filtering. Four channel amplifiers

If we approach four-channel amplifiers from a technical point of view, then their purpose is similar to the previous category of amplifiers. Simply put, it looks like one case with a common power supply for two two-channel amplifiers. The main difference between this type of amplifier is the ability to connect three speaker systems to one stereo output of the amplifier, which is called tri-mode. There is also the possibility of using a second pair of linear output using the output of the first.

Five channel amplifiers

This type of amplifier is built similar to the previous type, and the fifth channel is intended for connecting a subwoofer.

Six channel amplifiers

These high-power sound amplifiers are common and not as widely in demand as previous types. Sound systems that require such devices are very rare. Amplifiers with a built-in sound processor “Mansion” type of car amplifiers. Often, when installing an amplifier in a standard audio system, you may encounter the problem of a lack of a full signal, background noise, and poor signal quality. Such a system requires the installation of a separate sound processor. This type of amplifier comes in handy for such purposes.

Depending on the efficiency and level of output signal distortion that car amplifiers have, they are divided into classes.

A-class

It is famous for the most “crystal” reproduction of the sound signal. The disadvantage of this class of amplifiers is its Efficiency is 20%. This is due to the fact that the lion's share of power is lost in electrical circuits. Class A amplifiers are a rarity in cars. The advantages of sound are outweighed by low power and greatly inflated cost.

B-class

Significantly more powerful than the A-class, but the sound purity, of course, is far from ideal. Because of this, B-class amplifiers are rarely used.

C-class

This class has the highest performance coefficient in whole 75% , but signal distortion still occurs. Amplifiers of this class are not used in Hi-Fi systems. C-class is the best option for equipping a car sound system, which is why it has become so widespread. Amplifiers of this class, in terms of power parameters and sound purity, are somewhere between classes A and B.

D-class

This class of car audio power amplifiers is equipped with digital signal processing capabilities. Relatively small sizes, high efficiency and good purity of the audio signal distinguish this class of amplifiers and elevate them one step above their opponents from other classes in terms of the totality and quality of characteristics. However, the considerable cost discourages middle-class consumers, inclining them in favor of classes A, B and C.

Required parts and materials

Independent creation and integration of an amplifier into the interior is possible in any car and at an affordable cost. You will need:

PC, laptop, tablet, phone, in general, something that has access and access to the World Wide Web; soldering iron; jigsaw; plywood; sealant; ruler; pencil; connectors and terminals; subwoofer; signal processing unit for the subwoofer channel; speaker cable; electronic “stuffing”.

Construction and installation process

1. The first thing you need to start with is the preparatory work. Namely: stock up on the above-mentioned parts that are necessary for subsequent self-assembly of a car amplifier, organize a consistent work plan and ergonomically arrange all materials at the workplace so that everything is at hand, but does not interfere with each other and you.

2. Find on the Internet and download the necessary board diagram that suits your preferences. Although, it would be more correct to do this from the beginning, because the set of components and materials depends fundamentally on it. Can you solder? Amazing! Then self-production A printed circuit will not be difficult for you. Otherwise, you can order a printed circuit board from a qualified specialist who has extensive experience in manufacturing such devices.

3. Once the finished board is already at your workplace, and the remaining components are ready for assembly, then proceed. Assembling a car amplifier will not be difficult and will take a lot of time. Just follow your diagram. After, when the “stuffing” of the amplifier is assembled, start creating a housing for it. Here you will need plywood, a pencil, a ruler and a jigsaw. Having drawn the body of your future device on plywood, cut it out with a jigsaw and fasten the components together with sealant.

5. Test the car amplifier you have assembled. If such a need arises, make additional adjustments to the audio system.

6. Mount the amplifier in the place previously designated for it and again check the speaker system for correct operation. This is done to eliminate the possible displacement of the components of the device you have assembled. If everything is great, then congratulations! Enjoy the music.

Be sure to not neglect safety precautions when soldering and follow them. Be responsible when assembling a car amplifier yourself. Don't rush and make mistakes. Carry out every action thoughtfully and efficiently. If even one part is poorly secured, the device simply will not work. And then you will have to disassemble it and check every part for poor contact.