Thread: AC/DC adapter for testing or portability

This is what I use - (since I am also involved in RC):

"Novak N-Power

FEATURES
Compact and dependable switching DC power supply
Small size: 8.86" x 2.63" x 2.50"
Lightweight: 1.53 lbs.
Powers 2 chargers at the same time
Interfaces with Millennium, Rhino and all DC chargers on the market
On/Off switch
Anodized purple case that's well ventilated
Internal fan for cooling
Input: 110 volts AC (with detachable power cord)
Output: 14 volts DC @ 10 amps maximum
Output Overload Protection

In RC, its used to power primarily battery chargers, but its output is between 12-14 volts at 10 Amps...

Also, I am sure that RatShack has one rated at this range as well...

Jonathan

Why not just power it off a standard desktop AT / ATX power supply. My AT power suply outputs 12v @ 5.5A, is this enough??

Use a standard AT supply, or check out http://www.aaroncake.net/circuits/supply.htm for a good adjustable bench supply.

Because if I use a standard power supply, then I would have to adjust things inside the case when I move inside. If I get a power supply that provides DC, then I plug it in when I go into the car, and have the same sort of plug in when I go into the house. No rewiring, just plug the AC/DC adapter into the wall and plug it into the carputer.

WakeAndSno, I've been looking at different products, and I came across this one: http://www.duratrax.com/caraccys/dtxp4300.html
You think that would be sufficient - is this something that would work for me?

Thanks,

Oldschool

I'm not certain that you understood the suggestion for using a standard AC-DC power supply...

If you can find a standard 200W AC-DC AT power supply, it can provide likely 6A at +12V out. Simply plug the DC-DC supply in to that (hack up a molex connector if you want) when you come inside, and use the same molex connector in your car to power it there.

You can prolly find an old AT power supply for like $10 at a surplus shop, much MUCH cheaper than any other sort of device, and will do exactly what you need.

If you're like me and you have ATX power supplies laying around but no AT supplies, you can use that too, without hooking it up to a motherboard.

Just short pins 14 and 15 to each other. I've always been told to make sure there's some load on it (I use a fan) when you do that, but it's probably not necessarily.

BTW, when you do this, the voltage regulation isn't as accurate. For example, my 12V rail puts out 10.5V, but that's still fine for running my car computer (which takes down to 8V).