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What's a good power supply? - 12/11/2002 11:06:00 PM   
SeismicCWave


 

Posts: 33
Joined: 12/2/2002
From: Hilo, HI, USA
Status: offline 		I have been using one I bought from Larry at SR Batteries a long time ago. I have enough DC chargers that I can use another power supply. Any recommendations out there? I don't need too much current. Anywhere from 5A to 20A at 12V will be fine.

TIA
       Post #: 1

What's a good power supply? - 12/11/2002 11:12:40 PM   
flatfour



Posts: 597
Joined: 12/29/2001
From: Midlothian, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Do a search here on ATX and you will find the threads about converting a computer power supply.


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Jim in Chicagoland

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What's a good power supply? - 12/11/2002 11:35:04 PM   
Red Scholefield



Posts: 4907
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Newberry, FL, USA
Status: offline 		There is a link to an excellent article on converting PC power supplies by Pat Harvey at the Battery Clinic. I just finished two and if you can solder wires it is a snap. (no pun intended). Where it calls for a power resistor to load the 5 volt side I use an 1157 automotive bulb with both elements connected. Auto supply stores have bulb socket that just fits the 3/4 hole where all the wires to the computer exited. You will remove all but about 4 of those and these will go to banana jacks where you connect your charger. The supply handles all the needs of SuperNova, SuperTurbo, Triton or Robbe Infinity 2.

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Red S.
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Thanks - 12/11/2002 11:50:15 PM   
SeismicCWave


 

Posts: 33
Joined: 12/2/2002
From: Hilo, HI, USA
Status: offline 		Thank you guys! You have saved me a lot of money. I have been surfing the web for new power supplies and found all kinds at greatly different prices. I did hear something about using a PC Power Supply and I have a few of them lying around. I did try one but only measured 10.7V from the 12V leads. After reading some of the posts I realize I have to load the 5V side. I will get busy tonight. Thanks for all the good info.

(in reply to SeismicCWave)
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1157 bulb or 1ohm resistor - 12/12/2002 11:30:11 AM   
kwilliby


 

Posts: 276
Joined: 6/11/2002
From: Omaha, NE, USA
Status: offline 		i just finished my pc PS conversion also. it is working great and saved me $$$. was fun too. one question. i have read about guys using a 1 ohm 25w resistor to load the PS instead of the 1157 bulb. Does it matter? will the load with the resistor or bulb cause the charger to put out different volts/amps on the 12v side? Thanks!

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KGW

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What's a good power supply? - 12/12/2002 1:18:29 PM   
IronZ



Posts: 219
Joined: 12/27/2001
From: Tipp City, OH, USA
Status: offline 		I used a 10 ohm 10watt resister and soldered it directly to the board in the power supply. It bumped me from 10 volts to 11.8. Needless to say, I was pleased.

IronZ

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What's a good power supply? - 12/12/2002 4:13:46 PM   
Red Scholefield



Posts: 4907
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Newberry, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Bulb or resistor load on the +5 volt line doesn't matter. I just found the bulb easyier to get and it does serve as a pilot lamp showing you the unit is turned on. With both elements of the bulb wired in I get 12.3 volts.

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Red S.
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bulb or resistor - 12/12/2002 7:49:19 PM   
kwilliby


 

Posts: 276
Joined: 6/11/2002
From: Omaha, NE, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks for the info. I am using a 1.2ohm 25w resistor and am getting 12.3 V also. My Orbit is working great!. I like the idea of using the bulb for the indicator light as well. the PS i'm using seems to have the fan running on 5V and I can barely hear it run. the light would be nice. i'm off to the automotive store! Also, thanks to everyone for the information on the PS conversion. it works great and saved me at least $50.
One more thing. does the type of bulb make a difference? does it require the 1157? i was thinking of a plastic amber light kind of like you see on a semi trailer for side lights. Thanks!

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KGW

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What's a good power supply? - 12/12/2002 9:45:20 PM   
Red Scholefield



Posts: 4907
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Newberry, FL, USA
Status: offline 		I think they make the 1157 in amber also. 1157A?? Anyway, you need both elements connected in order to get more output from the 12 volt side.

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Red S.
AMA 951 Leader Member

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1157A - 12/12/2002 9:56:10 PM   
kwilliby


 

Posts: 276
Joined: 6/11/2002
From: Omaha, NE, USA
Status: offline 		Red, Thanks. I'll see if I can find an amber bulb. It wouldn't be quite so bright also. or maybe i can find some kind of lense to cover the clear bulb.

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KGW

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What's a good power supply? - 12/12/2002 10:58:14 PM   
Red Scholefield



Posts: 4907
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Newberry, FL, USA
Status: offline 		The bulb will not be all that bright, remember - it is a 12 volt bulb and you are running it on 5 volts.

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Red S.
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load vs no-load - 12/15/2002 8:08:46 AM   
kwilliby


 

Posts: 276
Joined: 6/11/2002
From: Omaha, NE, USA
Status: offline 		Just for grins I did a comparison using my new pc power supply. I charged a 8.4v 1700 mah pack on my Orbit at 6A. i hooked up an Astro Wattmeter between my PS and Orbit. I did two tests. One with a 1157 bulb on the PS and one test with NO bulb or load of any kind on the 5V side. here is what I saw;

Orbit readings Whatt Meter

6.0A 10.3V 6.4A 11.1V 73W - using no 5V load

6.0A 10.4V 6.1A 11.7V 74W - using 1157 bulb

using the 1157 bulb i see the amps drop and volts go up. but the total watts are about the same. doesn't look like it makes a difference on this PS whether i use a load or not.

Any ideas?
is it just this particular PS? I know there are many variations. Mine is an ATX but didn't require the 'Power Good' wire to be hooked up to keep it running.

it is working great, just curious.
Thanks!

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KGW

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       Post #: 12

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