How to make Toy Voice Changer (AA battery) Run on 12 Volt

[FrankTank]

I am trying to work on my golf cart.

I am thinking of buying a wolo horn to run on the golf carts power.

I also have a cool toy for the kids that changes your voice.

The voice changer runs on 3 AA batteries. How would I begin to run this to the golf cart with an on/off switch?

Brand new here no clue where to begin.

The wolo horn MIGHT buy is wired to run 12 Volts....so not sure if I can combine the 2 but would rather run separately.

 

[Alec_t]

Welcome to EP!
Go to your local dollar store and pick up an in-car USB charger (12V to 5V converter). The toy won't object to 5V, since 3 fresh AA cells supply about 4.8V.

 

[FrankTank]

You're talkin this right:

http://www.amazon.com/DROK-Power-Su...9311242&sr=8-2&keywords=usb+12+volt+to+5+volt

So now that I have the power. Say I want to amplify the sound so its a little louder than the tiny 1 inch speaker. How would I go about that?

 

[Colin Mitchell]

Fit a bigger speaker.

 

[FrankTank]

Seriously, do I need some sort of small amplifier?

Would it really work with just a bigger speaker? I doubt it

 

[FrankTank]

Anyone????

How about a fuse? How many amps?

No clue where to start.

 

[Alec_t]

You're talkin this right:

Something like that, though a lower power one would probably be adequate.

Seriously, do I need some sort of small amplifier?

Yes. One that can be run from 12V. Don't expect hi-fidelity sound: the amp will amplify any existing distortion.

 

[FrankTank]

Can anyone give me specifics to use?Lower power? such as?

just want it a little louder and able to run of the golf cart battery.

I just need fuse type and size, type of converter, and type of amplifier. Links will help

I don't wanna break/blow the circuit board from the voice changer.

 

[Alec_t]

Would you be able to build a converter and an amplifier (e.g.from a kit), or are you looking for an off-the-shelf solution?
How are you planning to identify the necessary connections to make to the toy in order to amplify its output?

 

[FrankTank]

Off-the-shelf solution please.

I've already identified the power source(red/black wires).
And the 2 speaker wires.

What else would I need to identify?

 

[Alec_t]

What else would I need to identify?

Nothing.
Since "just want it a little louder" is subjective and we don't know the power the toy speaker handles it's hard to advise on what power rating would be best for your purpose. I'd guess a couple of Watts. Try googling for 1W, 2W or 5W audio amplifiers which can be run from 12V. What size speaker do you have room for (it would need to be in a cabinet/box)? Presumably the speaker (and electronics) would need to be waterproofed?

 

[FrankTank]

just want it loud enough for the kids to use/hear while riding on the cart.

I don't care it could be a 3 inch speaker.

What size fuse would be sufficient connecting the power from toy to battery?

 

[Alec_t]

A 3 inch (8 Ohm) speaker (cheap transistor radio type) will typically handle about 1W of power, so a 1W amplifier should suffice for that.
We don't know the current draw of the toy, but I doubt it would be as much as 500mA. The fuse would go between toy and converter (not battery). The converter should have its own fuse.

 

[FrankTank]

do they make 1 watt plug n play amps?

All I see on google are circuit board kits, soldering kits, etc

 

[FrankTank]

this be ok.....and set to 4.5 on the output?

http://www.amazon.com/DROK-Waterpro...53&sr=8-18-spons&keywords=12v+to+5v+converter

 

[Alec_t]

do they make 1 watt plug n play amps?

I don't know. Like you, I see kits advertised.

this be ok.....and set to 4.5 on the output?

Looks ok.

 

[FrankTank]

what size fuse should I buy to put an inline just in case?

 

[Alec_t]

Depends on the spec of the amplifier you get, but I'd guess no more than 1A.

 

[FrankTank]

So the one I bought :

http://www.amazon.com/DROK-Waterpro...53&sr=8-18-spons&keywords=12v+to+5v+converter

You're thinkin this has a built in fuse?
So I shouldn't run an inline fuse between the battery and the converter?

 

[davenn]

You're thinkin this has a built in fuse?

no it doesn't

So I shouldn't run an inline fuse between the battery and the converter?

yes you should