Is it possible to power a small PA speaker with a rechargeable battery?

Supportact

I'd like to be able to set up a single powered speaker at a small outdoor gathering, to run an acoustic guitar and vocals through (and play some music through). Doesn't need to be very loud. Problem is, no mains power nearby. 

I've got an Alto Trouper powered speaker (which is 200w I think). Is there anything you can get like a big rechargeable battery that would make that work, or is this unlikely to work? I could get one of the chargeable acoustic amps like the one fishman make, but wondered if I could use what I have already.

(sorry i wasn't sure which category to post this in so mods please move it if this is the wrong one!) 

fretmeister

Someone asked the question but didn't give enough info to answer it

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/228012/anyone-used-a-portable-power-station-like-a-jackery-explorer-to-power-a-pa-system#latest


He has one of these, apparently

https://uk.jackery.com/products/explorer-1000-portable-power-station

Might be a bit pricey.


So the other option is to not use the Alto but have a look at the Roland Busking amps instead - they are battery powered in the first place. See quite a lot of them out and about for buskers all over the place.

The Street Cube

https://www.roland.com/uk/products/cube_street/

Sporky

The Sennheiser LSP500 Pro was battery powered, and pretty darned good. 

AntonHunter

I once found myself doing sound for Billy Bragg at a small community fete type thing, with a PA plugged into two car batteries, in the rain.

Wouldn't recommend it, though Mr Bragg was fantastic and took it all in his stride admirably.

maltingsaudio

Your status says Norfolk these guys have battery powered Pa for hire https://www.pahirenorwich.co.uk/speakers-pa-systems/

urban_winter

I've just made exactly what you need. A 12v battery in a case with a 2x40W type D amplifier. It plugs into a pair of 8-inch passive PA speakers (dirt cheap qtx ones). Total cost was about £50, I think. It works well.

More practically, perhaps a car battery and mains inverter? You can get a 500W inverter from amazon for £30.

U.

Supportact

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have a think but might just look into getting something new. Or a really really long extension lead i suppose! 

JJMan

AER 60 - sorted

Supportact

AntonHunter said:

I once found myself doing sound for Billy Bragg at a small community fete type thing, with a PA plugged into two car batteries, in the rain.

Wouldn't recommend it, though Mr Bragg was fantastic and took it all in his stride admirably.

This is not much help, but on the other hand that sounds like quite an adventure! 

JJMan

with a golf buggy battery and an inverter

AntonHunter

Supportact said:

AntonHunter said:

I once found myself doing sound for Billy Bragg at a small community fete type thing, with a PA plugged into two car batteries, in the rain.

Wouldn't recommend it, though Mr Bragg was fantastic and took it all in his stride admirably.

This is not much help, but on the other hand that sounds like quite an adventure! 

You're quite right, of course, I couldn't resist shoehorning it in. On the other hand, the other people suggesting car batteries here makes me think it wasn't so unusual as I thought!

Tannin

One of these should do the trick: https://hornsdalepowerreserve.com.au

Supportact

Tannin said:

One of these should do the trick: https://hornsdalepowerreserve.com.au

Would it fit in my shed do you reckon? 

olafgarten

Something like the Jackery batteries is what you are looking for, they are expensive though due to the large battery and all the conversion circuitry, getting a battery powered amp used is probably your best bet.