I wanted a speaker for my EWC_Panel project that I built into lunch boxes, and I decided that an old-school boombox would be appropriate. Local stores only stock party speakers, and I wanted something retro. There were plenty of good-looking ghetto blasters, and I bought a low-end model. One of the caveats of this was that it didn't have a rechargeable battery. I could have purchased four rechargeable D-cells, but they cost as much as the radio, so I opted to build my own with stuff I had already.
1" schedule 40 PVC pipe is nearly the same diameter as D-cell batteries, so I bought a piece and some 3/4" threaded plugs that fit into the ends. I cut a couple of pieces of pipe to the same length as the compartment.
1" Schedule-40 PVC and 3/4" threaded plugs
I added aluminum tape strips to the outside of the plugs where they'll touch the boombox's contacts. I installed a bolt and nut on the positive tip, so they stick out a little. I countersank the bolt on the negative end, so it rested flush.
Positive and negative ends
The battery and voltage booster get separate pipes since they can't fit together. I used a long bolt for the negative terminal and mounted the threaded tip through the battery holder. Both ends of this tube are connected to the ground because it will act as a "slug." I'll have to reopen this tube to swap out the battery.
Battery holder mounted to plug
The voltage booster went into the other tube. I ran a wire between the battery and regulator pipes, and I'll use the boombox's battery compartment for the negative terminals. Before I sealed up the booster, I tuned it to six volts as measured by a digital multimeter.
Tuning to six volts
I added a switch to the conductor between the pipes to conserve power. Everything turned on as I hoped, and it played for hours before I needed a fresh battery. The 18650 lithium battery can deliver high power quickly, and I used an overqualified voltage booster.
Functional battery replacements
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2022-01-08
1" schedule 40 PVC pipe is nearly the same diameter as D-cell batteries, so I bought a piece and some 3/4" threaded plugs that fit into the ends. I cut a couple of pieces of pipe to the same length as the compartment.
I added aluminum tape strips to the outside of the plugs where they'll touch the boombox's contacts. I installed a bolt and nut on the positive tip, so they stick out a little. I countersank the bolt on the negative end, so it rested flush.
The battery and voltage booster get separate pipes since they can't fit together. I used a long bolt for the negative terminal and mounted the threaded tip through the battery holder. Both ends of this tube are connected to the ground because it will act as a "slug." I'll have to reopen this tube to swap out the battery.
The voltage booster went into the other tube. I ran a wire between the battery and regulator pipes, and I'll use the boombox's battery compartment for the negative terminals. Before I sealed up the booster, I tuned it to six volts as measured by a digital multimeter.
I added a switch to the conductor between the pipes to conserve power. Everything turned on as I hoped, and it played for hours before I needed a fresh battery. The 18650 lithium battery can deliver high power quickly, and I used an overqualified voltage booster.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Completed projects from year 7
Completed projects from year 8
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information on this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2022-01-08
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