Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
12-07-2007, 05:56 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
Hi,
I'm looking for a good alternative to spending close to 100 bucks on a commercial household AC to 12V DC for battery chargers etc. I've used law mower batteries etc, but I get tired of charging them. Anyone know of a good alternative?
Thanks,
Frank
I'm looking for a good alternative to spending close to 100 bucks on a commercial household AC to 12V DC for battery chargers etc. I've used law mower batteries etc, but I get tired of charging them. Anyone know of a good alternative?
Thanks,
Frank
12-07-2007, 06:00 PM
#2
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RE: Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/158301.asp
i've been using this one from Hobby People for about a year now. It does the job, what more could you ask for?? They put it on sale quite often too. I bought mine for $40.
i've been using this one from Hobby People for about a year now. It does the job, what more could you ask for?? They put it on sale quite often too. I bought mine for $40.
12-07-2007, 07:01 PM
#3
RE: Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search
I have one of these and it works fine. I have the 15 amp model though and it is a little more money.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search
I have one of these and it works fine. I have the 15 amp model though and it is a little more money.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search
12-07-2007, 07:33 PM
#4
RE: Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
Hey Frank,
If you are looking to save cash and you want a supply that will give a relatively clean signal, a great way is to simply get your hands on a used computer power supply.
You'll have to cut off a bunch of wires that used to power various peripherals etc, add a switch, a resistor, a couple of banana jacks and a maybe an LED and then you'll have a very cheap and pretty good, compact, regulated 12V dc power supply. Basically all computers take the 120V AC and convert it to 12V DC. The wiring in them is all standard and colour coded so it's pretty hard to mess up. I did this to an ATX power supply, it was pretty easy as long as you can work with a soldering iron and it works great. I went all out and it cost about 10 bucks or so.
The instructions at this link tell you everything you need to know, and they're pretty clear with photos etc. http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Com...b-Power-Supply
There are similar instructions and threads in Wattflyer and other places if you want to check what others have to say. I think all are pretty favourable.
cheers,
Dave
If you are looking to save cash and you want a supply that will give a relatively clean signal, a great way is to simply get your hands on a used computer power supply.
You'll have to cut off a bunch of wires that used to power various peripherals etc, add a switch, a resistor, a couple of banana jacks and a maybe an LED and then you'll have a very cheap and pretty good, compact, regulated 12V dc power supply. Basically all computers take the 120V AC and convert it to 12V DC. The wiring in them is all standard and colour coded so it's pretty hard to mess up. I did this to an ATX power supply, it was pretty easy as long as you can work with a soldering iron and it works great. I went all out and it cost about 10 bucks or so.
The instructions at this link tell you everything you need to know, and they're pretty clear with photos etc. http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Com...b-Power-Supply
There are similar instructions and threads in Wattflyer and other places if you want to check what others have to say. I think all are pretty favourable.
cheers,
Dave
12-07-2007, 07:37 PM
#6
RE: Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
Sorry I guess it's 12 Amps, the 5 v terminals could do 30 Amps. Of course I'd have to double check the actual rating sticker to be sure.
Dave
Dave
12-07-2007, 09:32 PM
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RE: Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
I own one of these http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/158301.asp and it works grest for a low price
Francis
Francis
12-08-2007, 08:42 AM
#8
RE: Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
ORIGINAL: Albatross1
Hey Frank,
If you are looking to save cash and you want a supply that will give a relatively clean signal, a great way is to simply get your hands on a used computer power supply.
You'll have to cut off a bunch of wires that used to power various peripherals etc, add a switch, a resistor, a couple of banana jacks and a maybe an LED and then you'll have a very cheap and pretty good, compact, regulated 12V dc power supply. Basically all computers take the 120V AC and convert it to 12V DC. The wiring in them is all standard and colour coded so it's pretty hard to mess up. I did this to an ATX power supply, it was pretty easy as long as you can work with a soldering iron and it works great. I went all out and it cost about 10 bucks or so.
The instructions at this link tell you everything you need to know, and they're pretty clear with photos etc. http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Com...b-Power-Supply
There are similar instructions and threads in Wattflyer and other places if you want to check what others have to say. I think all are pretty favourable.
cheers,
Dave
Hey Frank,
If you are looking to save cash and you want a supply that will give a relatively clean signal, a great way is to simply get your hands on a used computer power supply.
You'll have to cut off a bunch of wires that used to power various peripherals etc, add a switch, a resistor, a couple of banana jacks and a maybe an LED and then you'll have a very cheap and pretty good, compact, regulated 12V dc power supply. Basically all computers take the 120V AC and convert it to 12V DC. The wiring in them is all standard and colour coded so it's pretty hard to mess up. I did this to an ATX power supply, it was pretty easy as long as you can work with a soldering iron and it works great. I went all out and it cost about 10 bucks or so.
The instructions at this link tell you everything you need to know, and they're pretty clear with photos etc. http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Com...b-Power-Supply
There are similar instructions and threads in Wattflyer and other places if you want to check what others have to say. I think all are pretty favourable.
cheers,
Dave
12-08-2007, 09:49 AM
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RE: Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
I just use my field battery (7 AH lead acid). I put the field battery on the 12v wall charger that's made for it, and then power by 12v chargers from that while its plugged in. The charge rate on the battery is slow anyway, and just overcomes the drain from the charger. Since I have to put the field battery on charge anyway, no loss.
Brad
Brad
12-08-2007, 01:19 PM
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RE: Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
I wanted a bit more power for really pushing my Triton, so I got one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll..._promot_widget
I'm very pleased. I had a 22 amp Pyramid and it didn't do ant better than this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll..._promot_widget
I'm very pleased. I had a 22 amp Pyramid and it didn't do ant better than this.
12-08-2007, 02:29 PM
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RE: Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
I really like the idea of using a computer power supply. Seems like a fun project and not a lot of money.
I wonder though how good it would be for powering a foam cutting bow. Thoughts?
I wonder though how good it would be for powering a foam cutting bow. Thoughts?
12-08-2007, 05:03 PM
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RE: Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
At my work they were replacing the old network back up power supply unit with a newer larger one. The batteries in it were failing & they were concerned that it wouldn't be able to handle the network load even with new batteries in it. So I kept the old one, removed the two 6 volt 4 amp hour lead acids & replaced them with four 12 volt 7 amp hour lead acids sitting beneath the unit wired in parallel with each other. They were left over from an experiment so they didn't cost me anything. Same battery that a lot of guys use for their filed boxes. http://www.jupiterbatteries.com/Cont...ducts/Page.asp anyhow, between the 4 batteries & the constant trickle charge from the backup power supply, they are always charged & I can use all of my battery chargers at the same time.
Trying to find one of these for as cheap as a computer Power Supply Unit,, probably not gonna happen, but it does work. I do like the idea of using it as a power source for running a hotwire cutter.
Trying to find one of these for as cheap as a computer Power Supply Unit,, probably not gonna happen, but it does work. I do like the idea of using it as a power source for running a hotwire cutter.
12-12-2007, 12:48 AM
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RE: Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
Wal-Mart sells a cooler you can plug into your cig lighter in the car........Now they sell a 12 volt power supply so you can use the cooler in the house. It is a 6 amp unit for $23.
I've got two.........snip off the cig lighter end and put on the female banana plug receptacle ( from Radio Shack ) and your good to go........I power Triton, Accu-Cycle Elite and Sirius chargers. UL listed, cheap, powerful enough for everything I want to do.
You find them in the Sporting Goods section right with the coolers............
I've got two.........snip off the cig lighter end and put on the female banana plug receptacle ( from Radio Shack ) and your good to go........I power Triton, Accu-Cycle Elite and Sirius chargers. UL listed, cheap, powerful enough for everything I want to do.
You find them in the Sporting Goods section right with the coolers............
12-13-2007, 07:16 PM
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RE: Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
Well, the Walmart here doesn't carry it any more. Has anyone tried the Duratrax one that Tower carries? (http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXUF47&P=V? ) Looks pretty good to me.
12-15-2007, 01:27 PM
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RE: Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
ORIGINAL: roknhs
You can go to Wal-Mart's web site and order it and they will ship it to the store of your choice...........
You can go to Wal-Mart's web site and order it and they will ship it to the store of your choice...........
12-15-2007, 10:50 PM
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RE: Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
Hi;Just went and looked in my shop that is the same one I have!That is a very nice unit I paid approx that for mine severalyears ago from a regular supplier.It is very heavy hence the high frieight!Very satisfied with mine!!Good Luck!
01-04-2008, 02:26 AM
#23
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RE: Low cost 12V Power Supplies?
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6582289&key= Comes with it's own base charger. I have an appliance timer that I'm going to put on the 110 vac outlet to let it slow charge 30 minutes a day. My charger needs 13 vdc and this will supply it easily and start my car to boot.
