EDIT 10/10/18: Another update added on page 3 regarding cost. Feel free to give input.
EDIT: BIG UPDATE POSTED ON PAGE TWO. Check it out.
[Posters can give positive or negative opinions about topics on this forum, but they will remain respectful and free of name calling or insults. -Staff]
[If the OP instigates another poster again, it will get moved to the General Board. -Staff]
So this is a little project I've had floating around in my head for a while and finally put it together. Back in college me and a buddy put together a "cooler stereo" to take with us to tailgates, parties, etc. It was basically a car stereo housed in a cooler and ran off a car battery. We used cheap ass speakers and head unit that came out of a truck that was going to a scrap yard, an old car battery somebody was turning in for a core at Oreilley, a ****ty old cooler with handles broken off, etc. It worked for several years and was a good hit, but eventually was neglected and I'm pretty sure my buddy trashed it several years ago. So I've been wanting to take that original concept and improve a bunch of things about it and make a more badass version of it, simply because I can damnit.
I started with a cooler that has wheels and handle to make transportation of it much easier, bought audio components off amazon, and proceeded to cut and install everything into the cooler. I had an amp leftover from an old truck stereo of mine that I was able to reuse and power the subwoofer with it, but other than that everything else is new.
I started by cutting holes and mounting the speakers in the cooler. The speakers are all marine rated waterproof. They are fully sealed with a bead of RTV silicone sealant on the under side lip of each speaker, and the outer edge after putting it in. They are also secured with stainless steel screws and nuts.
Then I added a marine switch panel to the back that I bought premade off amazon. It's got 4 switches that light up when turned on, a 12v cigarate lighter outlet for charging the battery, and two usb outlets for charging phones or whatever you need.
Switch 1 powers the main amp that powers the four smaller speakers
Switch 2 powers the subwoofer amp
Switch 3 turns on the voltmeter (pic later)
Switch 4 turns on the usb outlets
Then I put in the battery and started some of the wiring. It's a marine deep cycle battery with a massive reserve capacity becuase I want my obnoxious music to play all weekend.
Added a voltmeter on the front so I can see the voltage of the battery. This basically equates to how much run time I have left on the battery. It will play all the way down to about 10.5 volts.
Then I built a little shelf to go over the battery for the amps to sit on.
Finished up some more of the wiring. The small Silver amp powers the 4 smaller speakers. It has a built in Bluetooth receiver so any phone/device can wirelessly stream music to the stereo. The larger amp powers the subwoofer.
Finished product. After I fired it up and started playing music on it, I figured out the lid rattles A LOT. So I threw some straps on it to strap it down. Worked like a charm and no more rattle. Also, I originally left the remote with control buttons inside the cooler because you can control volume from the streaming device, but then decided to mount it in the lid just in case.
Overall I'm very very happy with it. Needless to say it gets LOUD AF, which is exactly what I wanted. Besides being just loud, it really does sound good also. Prefect mix of highs and lows with the combo of speakers and subwoofer. And before anybody says it, yes I am 10000% aware that I can buy a Bluetooth speaker off amazon that's smaller, lighter, and cheaper, but that's not what I wanted. Yes I am aware I just ruined a perfectly good cooler and I can't even store drinks or ice in this, but IDGAF. A cooler just happens to be a very convenient way to package a stereo and it's components. Basically I wanted something that gets obnoxiously loud, has a ton of bass, and will play music all weekend without needing a charge. This accomplishes all 3. Plus, I'm a nerd and like building stuff/projects.
Feels free to ask any questions and flame away.
EDIT: BIG UPDATE POSTED ON PAGE TWO. Check it out.
[Posters can give positive or negative opinions about topics on this forum, but they will remain respectful and free of name calling or insults. -Staff]
[If the OP instigates another poster again, it will get moved to the General Board. -Staff]
So this is a little project I've had floating around in my head for a while and finally put it together. Back in college me and a buddy put together a "cooler stereo" to take with us to tailgates, parties, etc. It was basically a car stereo housed in a cooler and ran off a car battery. We used cheap ass speakers and head unit that came out of a truck that was going to a scrap yard, an old car battery somebody was turning in for a core at Oreilley, a ****ty old cooler with handles broken off, etc. It worked for several years and was a good hit, but eventually was neglected and I'm pretty sure my buddy trashed it several years ago. So I've been wanting to take that original concept and improve a bunch of things about it and make a more badass version of it, simply because I can damnit.
I started with a cooler that has wheels and handle to make transportation of it much easier, bought audio components off amazon, and proceeded to cut and install everything into the cooler. I had an amp leftover from an old truck stereo of mine that I was able to reuse and power the subwoofer with it, but other than that everything else is new.
I started by cutting holes and mounting the speakers in the cooler. The speakers are all marine rated waterproof. They are fully sealed with a bead of RTV silicone sealant on the under side lip of each speaker, and the outer edge after putting it in. They are also secured with stainless steel screws and nuts.
Then I added a marine switch panel to the back that I bought premade off amazon. It's got 4 switches that light up when turned on, a 12v cigarate lighter outlet for charging the battery, and two usb outlets for charging phones or whatever you need.
Switch 1 powers the main amp that powers the four smaller speakers
Switch 2 powers the subwoofer amp
Switch 3 turns on the voltmeter (pic later)
Switch 4 turns on the usb outlets
Then I put in the battery and started some of the wiring. It's a marine deep cycle battery with a massive reserve capacity becuase I want my obnoxious music to play all weekend.
Added a voltmeter on the front so I can see the voltage of the battery. This basically equates to how much run time I have left on the battery. It will play all the way down to about 10.5 volts.
Then I built a little shelf to go over the battery for the amps to sit on.
Finished up some more of the wiring. The small Silver amp powers the 4 smaller speakers. It has a built in Bluetooth receiver so any phone/device can wirelessly stream music to the stereo. The larger amp powers the subwoofer.
Finished product. After I fired it up and started playing music on it, I figured out the lid rattles A LOT. So I threw some straps on it to strap it down. Worked like a charm and no more rattle. Also, I originally left the remote with control buttons inside the cooler because you can control volume from the streaming device, but then decided to mount it in the lid just in case.
Overall I'm very very happy with it. Needless to say it gets LOUD AF, which is exactly what I wanted. Besides being just loud, it really does sound good also. Prefect mix of highs and lows with the combo of speakers and subwoofer. And before anybody says it, yes I am 10000% aware that I can buy a Bluetooth speaker off amazon that's smaller, lighter, and cheaper, but that's not what I wanted. Yes I am aware I just ruined a perfectly good cooler and I can't even store drinks or ice in this, but IDGAF. A cooler just happens to be a very convenient way to package a stereo and it's components. Basically I wanted something that gets obnoxiously loud, has a ton of bass, and will play music all weekend without needing a charge. This accomplishes all 3. Plus, I'm a nerd and like building stuff/projects.
Feels free to ask any questions and flame away.
