How to turn Sony Stereo System into Portable Boombox?

[Boomboy]

Hey guys,
Just a forwarning: I'm a complete noob to all of this.

I have just been given a Sony Stereo System that plugs into the wall. I have no use for it as it is because I already have a home stereo that I like. However, I thought that it would be pretty awesome to turn this into a portable boombox hooked up to a battery with handles to carry it with. I did some researching on the web, and I mostly found instructions for how to build a portable boombox from scratch which doesn't help me very much considering I already have well-functioning speakers, I just need a power source.

So, I am requesting this forum's help to:
A.) Find a battery source to plug this baby into (after my research, I concluded I need some sort of VRLA and an AC converter...does this sound right?)
B.) Give any reccomendations for how to case these speakers in so they are, more or less, a boombox.

On the back of the stereo, it says
AC: 120V ~ 60Hz 198W

Any help is very appreciated.
Thanks,
Boomboy

 

[Boomboy]

Here's the back

 

[markw]

It isn't worth the effort. You will need to go inside it and find the DC points after the power supply and then have lotsa batteries. This would require quite a bit of technical knowledge and a schematic of the unit. To be honest, by asking this question you've pretty much shown this project is beyond your skill set.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

You could do it with a suitable voltage inverter like this (e.g. with a wattage rating sufficient to power the system) that would connect directly to a battery.

However, by the time you buy the inverter and battery you’re going to be out a couple hundred dollars or more. Not to mention the added expense of a battery charger to keep the battery charged between outings. And not to mention lugging a heavy battery around from place to place (you could use something smaller like a motorcycle or marine battery, but they wouldn’t last as long).

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[zieglj01]

You would be better off going to some yard sales - and find a Boombox there.

 

[Mark of Cenla]

That is one of the best sounding shelf systems Sony ever made. Just saying. Peace and goodwill.

 

[herbu]

I thought that it would be pretty awesome to turn this into a portable boombox hooked up to a battery with handles to carry it with.

How big an ol' boy are you? Cased all together, calling it "portable" might be a stretch. However, the battery and inverter will work. For the cabinet, just be sure not to cover any of the vents on the receiver, and cut some additional ones for the inverter.

When you're done, please post a picture of you holding the new boombox on your shoulder up to your ear. Don't forget the bellbottoms.

 

[slipperybidness]

That is one of the best sounding shelf systems Sony ever made. Just saying. Peace and goodwill.

Yeah, that's akin to saying "that's one of the best Gremlins to ever hit the streets"

 

[Mark of Cenla]

Yeah, that's akin to saying "that's one of the best Gremlins to ever hit the streets"

Have you ever heard one of those? Or are you just assuming it does not sound very good?

 

[slipperybidness]

I'm making the assumption. My point is, even if the Sony sounds great, the competition isn't very strong. The bar is pretty low for this type of setup.

But more importantly, I won't touch Sony with a 10-foot pole. Personal experience, I have boycotted Sony hardware.

 

[Mark of Cenla]

I had one of those and later gave it to a friend who really likes it (she is a musician). I compared it to the system in my signature, which was better, but not by leaps and bounds. To each his or her own and all of that. But careful listening is a learned skill that most people do not have. We are all lucky to be able to hear high fidelity. I understand why you do not like Sony. Peace and goodwill.

 

[slipperybidness]

I had one of those and later gave it to a friend who really likes it (she is a musician). I compared it to the system in my signature, which was better, but not by leaps and bounds. To each his or her own and all of that. But careful listening is a learned skill that most people do not have. We are all lucky to be able to hear high fidelity. I understand why you do not like Sony. Peace and goodwill.

To give credit where it is due..

Sony had the Walkman and the Playstation. Playstation would be the exception where I could consider Sony.

 

[Mark of Cenla]

When I was using that shelf stereo, I kept telling my wife that Sony screwed up and made too good of a system for the price point. The CD payer died, so I quit using it and got back into components. The amp and speakers are decent. Peace and goodwill.