Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 08:48:54 -0800
Reply-To: Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Michael Elliott <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 12V accessories from 120V shore power
In-Reply-To: <649641.46238.qm@web82705.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
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Thanks for clarifying that, David.
--
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 5:26 PM David Kao wrote:
> 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.
>>>> http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ____________________________________________________________________________________
>>> Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page.
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>
>
>
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