Here's a cheap easy project I put together. I saw something similar on another site and figured I'd share. Heres the parts list....
Coleman water jug
Speco spc-5 pa speaker $15
Radio shack mini amp $12
6' patch cord $6
Soft push button swich $3
Red snap in LED $2
9v battery
MP3 player of your choice
First I cut the bottom of the water jug out at about a 45 degree angle so the speaker would fit flush, then I drilled the 2 holes for the push button and led indicator light. I opened up the mini amp and used my pocket knife to trim the side so the battery connector wires would fit thru the casing. I did this to alleviate having to open the case to change the battery. Next I stripped the insulation on the negative wire so I could solder the negative wire from the led to it. I cut the positive wire and soldered the wire from the battery connector to one side of the switch. The positive wire coming from the amp is soldered to the positive wire from the led and to the other side of the switch. The reason I did this is to alleviate having to turn on the on/off volume control switch, you can turn it on with your mp3 player at full volume and adjust the amp's volume wheel to the desired volume and clarity. I plan to fine tune it and open up the amp, then remove the volume wheel, dab the switch with silicone so it stays at your setting. Be sure and install switch and led into the jug before soldering, I used silicone to glue them in place and coated all my soldered connections with silicone as well. I then glued the speaker into the bottom of the jug, again I used silicone for this. Once all this is done, I removed the spicket you drink from so my 6' patch cord from my mp3 player can go thru the lid and plug into the input on the amp. Then just plug the speaker into the output from the amp. Now you should be able to turn it on with the push button switch, the led should light and crank on the track from your mp3 player and use it to adjust your volume. All it need's now is a paint job and a wireless microphone kit to give it remote capability. I cant say it's better than a foxpro but the sound is loud and clear, plus it's alot more cost effective! I do plan to install an external jack in the casing to plug up the mp3 player to as well.
Coleman water jug
Speco spc-5 pa speaker $15
Radio shack mini amp $12
6' patch cord $6
Soft push button swich $3
Red snap in LED $2
9v battery
MP3 player of your choice
First I cut the bottom of the water jug out at about a 45 degree angle so the speaker would fit flush, then I drilled the 2 holes for the push button and led indicator light. I opened up the mini amp and used my pocket knife to trim the side so the battery connector wires would fit thru the casing. I did this to alleviate having to open the case to change the battery. Next I stripped the insulation on the negative wire so I could solder the negative wire from the led to it. I cut the positive wire and soldered the wire from the battery connector to one side of the switch. The positive wire coming from the amp is soldered to the positive wire from the led and to the other side of the switch. The reason I did this is to alleviate having to turn on the on/off volume control switch, you can turn it on with your mp3 player at full volume and adjust the amp's volume wheel to the desired volume and clarity. I plan to fine tune it and open up the amp, then remove the volume wheel, dab the switch with silicone so it stays at your setting. Be sure and install switch and led into the jug before soldering, I used silicone to glue them in place and coated all my soldered connections with silicone as well. I then glued the speaker into the bottom of the jug, again I used silicone for this. Once all this is done, I removed the spicket you drink from so my 6' patch cord from my mp3 player can go thru the lid and plug into the input on the amp. Then just plug the speaker into the output from the amp. Now you should be able to turn it on with the push button switch, the led should light and crank on the track from your mp3 player and use it to adjust your volume. All it need's now is a paint job and a wireless microphone kit to give it remote capability. I cant say it's better than a foxpro but the sound is loud and clear, plus it's alot more cost effective! I do plan to install an external jack in the casing to plug up the mp3 player to as well.
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