12 volt supply

[Divesplat]

I just bought a used Fromeco Reliacharger.

Can I use the power supply from my Sirius Charger (AC to 12v DC) Sorry don't have the specifics with me right now.

Or how to make an adapter to use my cigarette lighter. Which lead is positive, the pin or the springs on the outside of an addapter?? Or brand of adapter ready to buy??

Thanx in advance.

Ed

[Fromeco]

Hi Ed,

I don't know how much power the Sirius Power Adapter puts out. Depending on the Reliacharger you bought (3-5Channel) you need to remember that the Reliacharger is capable of 2 amps per channel. So if you have a power supply for a 3 channel it would need to put out at least 6 amps, 4 would be 8 and 5 would be 10amps. This is a guess but I doubt the power supply Sirius supplies with their charger puts out 6 amps. Wall power supplies (wall worts) usually are a lower amperage, cost goes up dramatically after about 4amps.

On the lighter plug in dongle thingy, it has been our experience that usually the center spike is Positive and the outer springs are Negative. If you do a continuity check of the lines you will be able to tell which is which with in seconds.

Reliacharger main power input can not be plugged in backwards. So if you get it wrong the charger simply will not power up, if you get it right it will.

Hope that helps.
Kurt Cook
Fromeco Scale Avionics LLC

[Divesplat]

Thank you.

The Sirius charger was only 1500ma so it wouldn't work. Broke down and bought a cigerette plug from radio shack with banana plug outputs, cut an extension cord and added banana plugs so am set. This should work with the sirius or hobico field charger also should I need them.

Ed

[capcanuck]

I just wired up a Frankenpower from an old computer I had lying around, and it works fine but only up to a 1/5amp charge on my new Ion Cube I saw from the article on FG that his put out 12.5 volts and 500 watts, while mine only did 11.5v and is rated max 250w.
My question is what are people using for a DC power supply? Do I go to my local computer place and get a new power supply or is there a cheaper alternative?
Love the cube by the way

Capcanuk

[Mike Bargman]

The ones that I've been selling are 550W'ers and work fine with my Reliacharger...

[plane]

Here's where I got my 12amp'er:

http://www.buyreliant.com/psupplies/psupply.htm

[AHP]

I used to use an old power PC power supply that I rigged up. IIRC, it was rated at 350W. It had no problem powering my charger that was zapping 8 cell Nicd's at 6-8amps.