Laptop power supply for RC Charger??  
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Laptop power supply for RC Charger?? - 7/15/2008 5:29:57 PM   
cappaj1



Posts: 408
Joined: 6/21/2008
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Status: online 		Can anyone tell me if this laptop power supply with DC Output: 12V, 5.0A

will work to power this RC Charger?

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKSY1&P=ML



< Message edited by cappaj1 -- 7/15/2008 5:31:21 PM >

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RE: Laptop power supply for RC Charger?? - 7/15/2008 5:40:27 PM   
RCKen



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Joined: 7/10/2002
From: Lawton, OK, USA
Status: offline 		You could use the laptop power supply if is the correct voltage. However, many laptop power supplies are 14v-22v (depending on the laptop) and the voltage is too high. What I use is a converted PC power supply. There are several advantages of using a PC supply. You have multiple voltages (3.3v, 5v, and 12v) output. The PC power supply can handle larger loads placed on them by a charger. The PC supply has it's own cooling to stay cool while running. With the multiple voltages you can use it to run other things as well as just your charger. One thing that I use mine for is a bench supply for the receiver/servos in a plane. Instead of worrying about having a charged battery pack you can just plug the plane into the 5v of the PC supply and have unlimited juice to use while setting up the radio on a plane. There are a ton of other applications you can use a PC supply for as well, but you get the idea.

Here is an excellent article on how to convert a PC power supply. It's easy to do and all the parts are available at your local Radio Shack.
http://www.marcee.org/Articles/PCPowerSupply.htm

Hope this helps

Ken

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RE: Laptop power supply for RC Charger?? - 7/15/2008 5:40:34 PM   
brett65



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Joined: 12/21/2007
From: Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Status: offline 		Tower's site says input voltage of 11-15 volts. If the power supply puts out in that range, then theoretically it should work. I would suggest you just get a 12 volt field battery and you won't have to worry.

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RE: Laptop power supply for RC Charger?? - 7/15/2008 5:44:26 PM   
bruce88123


 

Posts: 10424
Joined: 11/26/2004
From: Memphis, TN, USA
Status: online 		http://www.multiplexusa.com/downloads/M92532-LN5014.pdf charger manual doesn't give input amp requirements.
You might contact them at: Phone (858)748-8440 E-mail service@hitecrcd.com

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RE: Laptop power supply for RC Charger?? - 7/15/2008 5:48:01 PM   
Adui


 

Posts: 488
Joined: 8/24/2007
From: Dayton, OR, USA
Status: offline 		Um.. Probably, so long as you dont charge at a real high rate. It has the right voltage, my concern is the current. That PS only puts out 5 amps. The charger you list is capable of charging at 5 amps, so its going to need about 7 amps (guestimate) to do it safely. I suppose if its what you have you could make it work, just dont try charging over about a 2 amp rate.

If you have an old PC power supply laying around, the desire to tinker, and a bit of knowledge, you could easily convert it to a +12v -12v +5v and +3.5v supply. I only pu the +12v on mine, but with a 350 watt computer supply I get as much as 15-17 amps (According to the PS label it gives 17A at 12V.) Since my chargers max draw is 7A I think I have plenty.

Disclaimer: Do not attempt this if you dont have some electrical knowledge, or arent comfortable with it. These things do contain dangerous load voltages at currents that can cause injury or even death if you touch the wrong component when it has a charge! (If you dont know which ones I am speaking of you dont have the knowledge)

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RE: Laptop power supply for RC Charger?? - 7/15/2008 5:50:21 PM   
Adui


 

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Status: offline 		Man you guys are quick LOL!! I was typing and there wasnt any other posts. I finish, and post, and Im like #5

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RE: Laptop power supply for RC Charger?? - 7/15/2008 5:57:30 PM   
RCKen



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quote:

ORIGINAL: Adui

Man you guys are quick LOL!! I was typing and there wasnt any other posts. I finish, and post, and Im like #5


Well all of us "older" members are chained to the desks and we have had direct mental connections surgically implanted in our brains. So we don't have to type, just simply "think" the answer!!!!!

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RE: Laptop power supply for RC Charger?? - 7/15/2008 5:58:07 PM   
cappaj1



Posts: 408
Joined: 6/21/2008
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Status: online 		Thanks, Guys,

I have a brand new pc power supply laying around as I build pc's, but would prefer purchasing on ebay the little laptop power supply if it would work okay.
The price is so low even with the shipping that I think it's worth the small size and convenience to try it. It puts out 5amps and 12 volts according to the ad and the multiplex takes 12 volts input and puts out a MAX of 5 amps, which I probably won't use as I don't want to smoke any batteries so I'll give it a try and let you know how it works out. If it doesn't seem to work well, I'll use the PC power supply I have - thanks for the link on how to adapt it for this.

Now I'm going to go place that order. Thanks again.

< Message edited by cappaj1 -- 7/15/2008 6:23:58 PM >

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RE: Laptop power supply for RC Charger?? - 7/15/2008 7:11:55 PM   
bruce88123


 

Posts: 10424
Joined: 11/26/2004
From: Memphis, TN, USA
Status: online 		It kinda depends on the waveform of the charger and what the Multiplex needs for an input. Some require flat/smooth inputs and some laptop chargers have 1/2 wave (or even full wave) rectification that may not be smooth enough for your application. If you were to use the charger to keep a smaller gel-cell charged up then that may help a lot. Again - contact the Multiplex people and see what is required.

A pulsing input to a battery is one thing - a pulsing input to an electronic charger is another.

< Message edited by bruce88123 -- 7/15/2008 7:13:31 PM >

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RE: Laptop power supply for RC Charger?? - 7/15/2008 8:35:15 PM   
gaRCfield


 

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From: Burlington, VT, USA
Status: offline 		I was thinking 5 amps would be fine, but then you did get that huge sub C for your glow ignitor. I never charge at more than 2.3 amps (1C) for my batteries. If you are going to rapid charge that sub C you might want a 7 amp unit, still cheap and easy to find. Also you can go up to 14 volts too, as this is what a healthy car battery operates at with the engine running.

My Venom charger is very similar to the Multiplex charger you got. Mine came with a power supply which is identical to a laptop power supply. It's 14V 5A.

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RE: Laptop power supply for RC Charger?? - 7/15/2008 10:41:58 PM   
traski


 

Posts: 114
Joined: 4/29/2008
From: Bradenton, FL, USA
Status: offline 		The best thing to do is get a quality Power Supply. Check the RC Car racing forums like Hobby Talk http://www.hobbytalk.com/

For $50 or less you can pick up a power supply made to operate charges like those. I raced RC cars for years and tried alot of things to get 12VDC power.

To run a 5 Amp charger I would look for a power supply that could handle at least 7 Amps or your charger and power supply will get real hot!!!! When your in the feild flying your car battery would be perfect.

The old school PC's have good power supplies that would do the trick. So try to find a PC junkyard some where and gut one of those babys.

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RE: Laptop power supply for RC Charger?? - 7/15/2008 10:49:26 PM   
RCKen



Posts: 14396
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From: Lawton, OK, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: traski

The old school PC's have good power supplies that would do the trick. So try to find a PC junkyard some where and gut one of those babys.


Find a computer shop and ask them for a used PC power supply. I own and operate a computer shop and we keep a box that's full of used computer power supplies. If you explain what you need it for there is a good chance you'll get it for free, or very low cost.

Ken

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RE: Laptop power supply for RC Charger?? - 7/15/2008 11:04:29 PM   
Nathan King



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Joined: 5/29/2007
From: Omaha, NE, USA
Status: online 		You can use just about anything that puts out around 12VDC at a reasonable ampere rating. Here's proof. My supply is an old junker arcade machine power supply rated at 2A. I can't do really quick charging with larger batteries, but I baby my batteries with low rates anyway. You don't need that other crud if you use an old ATX power supply. In case you are wondering, there's a fuse, line filter, and distribution block beside the supply.

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RE: Laptop power supply for RC Charger?? - 7/16/2008 4:10:55 AM