What type of amplifier do I need for this project?

Using Arduino General Electronics
1

I'm trying to make a custom PA system for my car, but I am confused about what type of amplifier I need, and if I am able to make one with a basic schematic and minimal parts, or buy one.

I'm wanting to take the main sound unit out of a "personal soundtrack shirt" like this
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/interactive/a5bf/
but remove the speaker from the shirt and replace it with a PA horn.

I already have a pa horn that came with a "coga pa system" http://www.cogapa.com/.

I actually have already hooked up the sound unit from the shirt, to the pa horn, just by simply cutting the audio output wires, and hooking them to the wires of the PA speaker, and it does work, and is louder than I would have expected, but I don't think its nearly as loud as its potential. The sound unit is only running off 4 AAA batteries right now, thats only 6 volts, and I believe the pa speaker is probably 12 volts (at least the normal PA amp that normally goes to that pa speaker is a 12 volt device). According to the specs the amp that normally outputs to that PA speaker is a 40watt RMS 50watt max. Unsure if that is the max of the speaker or not, but I believe I need to find a way to increase the output of the sound unit from the shirt, from whatever it is, to 50 watts.

Can anyone help? Thanks.

2

There should be many 12V amplifier modules available, something in 10 to 30W range ought to be available as kit or module I would imagine.

3

Check out Crutchfield.com, many car systems available. Not really Arduino related.

4

Anyone have any idea if this amplifier would work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/40W-Car-Motorcycle-Bike-Mini-Audio-Stereo-Amplifier-Power-Cord-921-/160699556300?pt=Car_Audio_Video&vxp=mtr&hash=item256a70a1cc

Seems user friendly, cheap, and seems to have an adjustable knob, so I'm guessing I could maybe gradually crank that knob up until the point the speaker starts making distortion or something.

I apologize for such a simple question, but I just don't know much when it comes to audio amplification. I've spent a few hours reading about it on the web, but still couldn't find good info for determining for myself what amp would be compatible.

5

Seems plausible.