Solar powered ammo can boom box project

[Mrdoodz]

So I am very new to solar power and literally have experience with it.
Thus this is why I am here.
I have just completed a project that I have been working on for a few months now. As the title states its an ammo can boom box and it works great. But I want it to do more. So here is my idea I want to put a battery capable of powering it wile being charged by solar panels. Any info/ help/ ideas would be greatly appreciated. I will post pics of the box and its internals later as I am writing this on my iPhone.

[inetdog]

So I am very new to solar power and literally have experience with it.
Thus this is why I am here.
I have just completed a project that I have been working on for a few months now. As the title states its an ammo can boom box and it works great. But I want it to do more. So here is my idea I want to put a battery capable of powering it wile being charged by solar panels. Any info/ help/ ideas would be greatly appreciated. I will post pics of the box and its internals later as I am writing this on my iPhone.

The very first thing we (and you) need to know is how much current the boom box draws at various sound levels. The second thing is how long you want to be able to play it per day. That will determine both the size battery you need and the amount of panel watts you need.
What voltage does it take? I would guess 12 volts, but we need to know, since it sounds like you are running it off AC only right now.
Those numbers matter a lot more than pictures, although the pictures will be fun.

[Mrdoodz]

Yes it is 12V and the amp that powers the speakers is 120 watts. I would like it to be able to last for about 4 to 6 hours on and off use. In addition to my other questions would the battery charge wile in use?

[inetdog]

Yes it is 12V and the amp that powers the speakers is 120 watts. I would like it to be able to last for about 4 to 6 hours on and off use. In addition to my other questions would the battery charge wile in use?

If the amp is pulling less power than the panel is capable of producing, the excess will be used to charge the battery IF the battery needs charging.

But knowing that you have a 120 watt amplifier does not tell you how much power it will actually draw even when played at maximum volume.

Measuring the current in with several different music levels will tell you what you need to know.

[Mrdoodz]

If the amp is pulling less power than the panel is capable of producing, the excess will be used to charge the battery IF the battery needs charging.

But knowing that you have a 120 watt amplifier does not tell you how much power it will actually draw even when played at maximum volume.

Measuring the current in with several different music levels will tell you what you need to know.

So how would I measure the current going to the speakers? a multimeter? AC or DC? volts or ohms?

[Naptown]

So how would I measure the current going to the speakers? a multimeter? AC or DC? volts or ohms?

With a multimeter on DC amps

[Mrdoodz]

With a multimeter on DC amps

Thank you both for being so helpful. I know I'm a little slow but that's why I'm here and learning.

[inetdog]

Thank you both for being so helpful. I know I'm a little slow but that's why I'm here and learning.

Note also that you will not be measuring the power going from the amplifier to the speakers. That is not really important. What you will be measuring is the power going into the amplifier that allows it to send power to the speakers.

[Mrdoodz]

Note also that you will not be measuring the power going from the amplifier to the speakers. That is not really important. What you will be measuring is the power going into the amplifier that allows it to send power to the speakers.

Okay, will do thanks.