Bought a charger that needs an external 12v power source :mad:

[masterbeavis]

bought the Triron Great plains electrify charger. The first thing I noticed when I inspected the contents of the box at the LHS is that it didnt come with any fittings for any kind of batteries. What a bummer I thought, but o-well, I will just buy the expensive ass adapters to make this thing work. So I get home and want to try out my new charger, I go looking for the 110 volt AC input. HA, there is NONE, stoopid fawker@@! I need a 12V power supply, and a car battery charger will not cut i I and I'm not gunna pop the hood on my car to charge batteries. Any thoughts on a cheap 15-20A power source?? I want a power source I can use to power other 12 stuff, like testing stereo equip and whatnot. While i'm at it, should I just stick with the charger I have, the Pinnacle plus (it wont charge lithiums, not a problem at the moment) and return this hooptie?

 

[Wardo]

Good supply, Rivergate.


Cheap but still a good supply, Pyramid.

 

[MaxxAir75]

I just use an old 350W computer power supply.

 

[mattyk6]

Search eBay for Cosel. Around $25 for a 12v Pwr Supply.

 

[masterbeavis]

I just use an old 350W computer power supply.

350W gunna be enough to supply 15 amps when I wanna charge my E-maxx batteries?? I have plenty of power supplies, but they dont seem up to the task of supplying more than 5 amps or so.

 

[GilBeQuick]

I wouldn't think 350 would be enough. 15amps = 1800 watts, so I'd look for something in the 1600watt range if you need something that will do that many amps.

 

[werks21]

I wouldn't think 350 would be enough. 15amps = 1800 watts, so I'd look for something in the 1600watt range if you need something that will do that many amps.

15amps @ 12v is 180watts. most 350 wat power supplies have around 12 amps on the 12v rail. if you want over 15 amps of 12v out of a cpu power supply it will have to be a 400 or higher. and even then you are not garanteed any thing. power supplies vary widley in amount off amps alotted per rail.

 

[scottm]

Most chargers are coming dc input only. I heard it is because they want to reduce cost as features go up, plus they avoid having to get UL approval on it.

I started a thread about converting a pc power supply here:
https://www.rcnitrotalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17026

I am happy with the results from my converted ps, and I am starting another one to keep at work.

 

[masterbeavis]

THREAD HIJACKER!!!!




Good info tho, I will dig out a few power supplies and get busy!!

 

[cbreaker]

The other good thing about external supplies is that quite often it's the 110/120 > 12V convertor that goes bad on a charger, and seperating it out can save you money. Power supplies are pretty cheap and easy to replace. Advanced digital chargers aren't.

Additionally, it seems as though at a very busy electric track people can pull a poop load of amps from the circuits, and a nice beefy power regulator and convertor like a PC power supply or other external power supply handle the dips and spikes you'll find on the track's circuit better then the often small internal built-in supplies.

 

[Wardo]

They are also much cheaper to ship from overseas and distribute once they are here becase 12 volt chargers weight half or less of an AC/DC charger.