How to Run Your Guitar Amp Off A Battery?
Electric guitar players are always looking for new ways to get the most out of their gear. One way is to use a battery to power your amplifier instead of relying on an outlet. This tutorial will show you how!
Steps To Run A Guitar Amp Off A Battery
- Buy or obtain a power inverter.
- Plug the power inverter into your cigarette lighter socket or connect it directly to your automobile battery.
- Plug your guitar amp into the inverter.
How To Run A Guitar Amp Off A Battery
Using a car battery or 12v system to power your guitar amp is not as hard as you might think. When I was asked this question, I immediately went back to the days I was employed driving a truck. Truck drivers need power inverters to power their TVs, DVD players, refrigerators, and more. So I knew the answer right away. You just need a power inverter like are available at any car parts store or truck stop or Amazon.
The next step is to find an appropriate place to mount the inverter. The best place is usually under or behind the seat. Once you have decided on a location, drill some holes and screw it in place. Now all you need to do is to hook up the power inverter to a cigarette lighter socket or wire it directly to your battery, then plug your guitar amp into the inverter and start rockin’!
Using an inverter is not complicated or expensive with today’s technology. You can pick one up for around $30 at any store that sells car parts or accessories or on Amazon here. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, most auto shops can do it for you while you wait.
So the next time you are playing a gig at a park, outdoors, or anywhere that there is no AC power available, don’t worry; just use a power inverter to keep the music going!
What Is A Power Inverter?
Power inverters are devices that change DC electrical power from a battery to AC. This is why they can be used with car batteries or automotive systems, which run on 12 V of direct current. Inverters come in many different sizes and shapes but almost all have two cables- one positive and one negative. They also usually come with a cigarette lighter adapter.
What Size Power Inverter Do I Need?
Check the owner’s manual of your guitar amp. Find out how many amps it draws from the AC power receptacle. Then match that with the number of amps the power inverter will provide.
For example, A Fender Champion pulls no more than 1.5 amps. That is the rating of its fuse. It uses 180 watts of power. This power inverter on Amazon is rated at 4.2 amps and 350 watts of power. It would run a Fender Champion guitar amp just fine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Guitar Amps And Batteries
Can you power a guitar amp with a battery?
Yes, it is possible to power an amplifier with just a battery. A 12-volt car battery will work and there are even models designed specifically for powering electric guitars and basses.
Can you run an amp off a car battery?
You can run an amplifier off a car battery by using a power inverter. A power inverter changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), which is what guitar amps use. You just need to find an appropriate place to mount the inverter, drill some holes and screw it in place. Then all you need to do is
How do I make my guitar amp portable?
You can make your guitar amp portable with a power inverter. A power inverter changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), which is what most amps use. You just need to find an appropriate place to mount the converter, drill some holes and screw it in place. Then all you need to do is hook up the AC cable from the power inverter to your amp and connect it to a cigarette lighter socket or wire it directly to your battery.
Can I power my amp with a motorcycle battery?
Yes, you can use a 12-volt car or motorcycle battery to run your amplifier. You just need to find an appropriate place to mount the inverter and then connect it up to the battery with some wire.
Can I power my amp with a solar panel?
It is possible to use a solar panel to power your amplifier. You would need to find an appropriate place to mount the solar panel and then connect it up to the battery with some wire. The amount of power that the solar panel produces will depend on how sunny it is outside and how many panels you would need to achieve 12v DC. I am not sure this is very practical though.
Can I power my amp with a generator?
Yes, you can use a portable generator to run your amplifier. I have done this on floats during a Christmas parade. Your generator will have AC plugins on it to plug your guitar amp into. You will also need to make sure that you have enough gas in the tank to run the generator for an extended period of time.
Conclusion – How to Run Your Guitar Amp Off A Battery
So, as you can see, there are a number of ways to power your guitar amp when you are on the go. Just find the option that works best for you and get out there and start playing!
Thank you for reading our article on How to Run Your Guitar Amp Off A Battery!
