Date: Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:26:02 -0800
Reply-To: David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: 12V accessories from 120V shore power
In-Reply-To: <4793E5FA.2020704@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Actually it does not use a transformer. It is a switching power supply
like those computer power supplies except it has an adjustable output
range from 8 - 15 volt and an overload/short circuit protection. There
is no transformer to burn out. The cooling fan will kick in at higher
load. So it will be noisy because of the fan. I won't load it up to
its max load capacity. It could smoke, burn or blow up. Who knows.
Mine got very little use so far. So I can't tell if it is reliable
and durable enough for extensive use. If you have a HAM radio store in
your area it's better buy it there so you have a chance to talk to the
store to get some facts.
David
--- Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> Thing has a fan, and my money says that at that price, the transformer is
> probably running at the edge so it may buzz loudly enough to be
> distracting at night: might need to keep it outside for noise reasons. BUT
> it will power your 12V appliances, which is the goal, so it is an
> inexpensive solution to David's original question.
>
> An added benefit: if you monitor the voltage and current carefully you
> could manually control its output voltage to put a reasonably good charge
> into a battery in a pinch w/o causing any damage -- just mimic what a
> smart charger does (I'd not trust the meters on the thing). But as was
> said, it's not a battery charger and could damage a battery, so take all
> batteries offline before connecting the power supply to the house 12V wiring.
>
> --
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
> KG6RCR
>
>
>
> On 1/20/2008 3:59 PM David Kao wrote:
>
> > I agree that those are cheap consumer grade power supplies. The two meters probably
> > won't take the beating from off road or even semi off road trips. Store it in a box
> > with bubble wrap to protect it from vibration. You will only use it in wherever
> > there is AC. So you will not be driving when it is in use. If it used only a few times
> > a year it is still a good cheap alternative.
> >
> > David
> >
> >
> > --- B Monk <wmonk@snet.net> wrote:
> >
> >> While these work the only problem is resistance to vibration that would happen from being
> >> mounted in a moving vehicle. I am sure there is always the exception and some are more
> durable
> >> than others,they are just not designed for that harsh of an environment. This would
> >> be even more important in a vehicle that is taken off road. Think of some nice washboard
> >> roads. Feels like my entire vehicle is going to rattle apart on some of those roads. In my
> last
> >> van a swear I had rattles that developed after going down this state park road one time that
> >> would never go away after driving on it a crawl speed. Had it in first gear just about
> idling...
> >> As always YMMV...
> >>
> >> Bill
> >>
> >> David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> >> A cheaper alternative is power supply for Ham radios like this:
> >>
> >>
> >
>
http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-PYRAMID-25-AMP-AC-DC-REGULATED-POWER-SUPPLY_W0QQitemZ160198666670QQihZ006QQcategoryZ48708QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
> >> Power supplies like this are adjustable, load protected and cheap.
> >> They are available new on eBay. Just look for Ham radio equipments
> >> and search for power supplies. I bought one many years ago and is
> >> still working.
> >>
> >> David
> >>
> >>
> >> --- Mike Collum wrote:
> >>
> >>> Try this link:
> >>>
> >>> http://www.progressivedyn.com/hotdeals.html
> >>>
> >>> Mike
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> David O'Bryan wrote:
> >>>> Loren,
> >>>>
> >>>> Thanks. I think that is exactly what I am looking for. :-)
> >>>>
> >>>> BTW, I did not see a bargain center listed. Can you find the link?
> >>>>
> >>>> Regards,
> >>>>
> >>>> Dave O
> >>>> '87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25
> >>>>
> >>>>>>>> I went with this unit:
> >>>> http://www.progressivedyn.com/prod_details/rv_conv/rv_converter_pd9130_2.html
> >>>> and added their 'Charge Wizard' to it. Check their bargin center, I picked one
> >>>> up off that page for several dollars below their list price. Went with this unit
> >>>> at the suggestion of Dennis Haynes based on his experience with larger motor
> >>>> homes. There are probably cheaper or more compact products out there but I don't
> >>>> regret buying this one.<<<<<
> >>>>
> >>>> On Jan 20, 2008 7:38 AM, Mike Collum wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> Loren, > > What brand/type of battery charger did you get? > > I've seen
> >>>> portable ones like from Vector and permanently installed ones > like from
> >>>> Xantrex. > > Mike > > > Loren Busch wrote: > > Mike's answer is right on and
> >>>> BTDT. To elaborate I have a good 30 amp > > 'smart' charger permanently wired to
> >>>> the aux battery on one end and to > the > > 110v AC on the other. In camp the
> >>>> aux battery stays up (and the 1315 > > automatically keeps the starting battery
> >>>> charged also) and I run > anything I > > want off the 12v aux battery. And I do
> >>>> have all internal items like > lights > > and radio moved over to the aux
> >>>> battery. One caution. Small 5 amp > 'battery > > tenders' will not cut it, not
> >>>> enough juice. Tried that, don't work.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> On 1/20/08 9:54 AM, "Michael Elliott" wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> My first thought is to run your 12V appliances off your aux battery, and
> >>>>> keep that battery happy with a good "smart" battery charger connected to
> >>>>> the shore power.
> >>
> >>
> >> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> >> Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page.
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> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > ____________________________________________________________________________________
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>
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