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e-Electric Batteries & Chargers > Power Supply - your Knowledge/Expertise will be appreciated
 
 
wrathofkhan
Veteran
Location: LA, CA - US

Hello,

I have couple of chargers (xTrema, Schulze). i usually charge at home, and then at the field i charge the flight packs using an Optima to power the chargers.

my question is, can i use a computer charger to power the chargers? i noticed that some of them are rated at around 12-14 volts (3-4 amps), which is plenty for charging my 3s a123s at 1c (charging only 1 pack at a time).

i am guessing, these laptop chargers actually have a bit more power, will the excess heat up the chargers?

look forward to your feedback ... khan
06-18-2008 05:04 AM
 
 
smcbmw
Veteran
Location: Louisville, Kentucky

I bought a converted computer charger from a member here on RR and it works perfect.....

10-8
06-18-2008 12:34 PM
 
 
wrathofkhan
Veteran
Location: LA, CA - US

thank you very much for your post.

what do you mean by converted computer charger? how was the conversion done?

i was thinking of just splicing the wires, make sure which is neg/pos ... and just connect the charger to it.

khan
06-18-2008 05:06 PM
 
 
uk2bx
Senior Heliman
Location: Bronx , NY

i made mine from an old dell power supply for a pc , if you do a search some one will have the web site with instructions listed , i made mine with 12v supply and 5v supply to power the heli on the bench for set up etc...works perfect.

www.flysrw.com
06-18-2008 05:20 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
uk2bx
Senior Heliman
Location: Bronx , NY

http://runryder.com/helicopter/t389514p1/

here you go , this shold contain all the info you need.

www.flysrw.com
06-18-2008 05:21 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
wrathofkhan
Veteran
Location: LA, CA - US

thank you very much for your posts. I am actually aware of poeple using PC power power supply, but I was more interested in laptop chargers (if it is possible) for the following rerasons:

1. I have too many left over chargers from my old laptops (i can then make use of them)
2. I wanted it to be very portable and half way decent looking (since i will be taking it to work)
06-18-2008 05:58 PM
 
 
Merlin1205
Heliman
Location: Winter haven FL

Most so called 12v power supplies actually measure 13.8 volts so you should be fine voltage wise. As long as it can supply the amperage your looking for it should work just fine.

Good luck,

Tim
06-21-2008 03:48 AM
 
 
wrathofkhan
Veteran
Location: LA, CA - US

is there any neat looking adapter which i use ... or is jerry rigging the only way to go with laptop chargers (i.e. splice the plug and connect the lipo charger to it with alligator clips)?
06-21-2008 04:22 AM
 
 
XeeN
New Heliman
Location: Los Angeles, CA

wrathofkhan - I too have a lot of extra dell laptop psu's available to me, and maybe I'll grab an old junk one and test it out (I need to see if the amperage will be sufficient first).


Edit: nevermind... the max output was at something like 1500ma
08-01-2008 08:15 PM
 
 
kcordell
Senior Heliman
Location: O Fallon, MO

Here's a 'how to' on computer power supplies. I actually have one that is modified and will do 34 amps.

http://www.nfdc.net/home/cbdb/Teard...er%20Supply.htm

Team Futaba, Miniature Aircraft Pilot, YS Engines, VelTye
08-03-2008 02:43 PM
 
 
NFFD
Senior Heliman
Location: B.C. , Canada

Hi Wrathofkhan

I used this formula to decide on what size of amp power supply to use for my charger.

Watts output by charger + losses = Power required from Power Supply Unit.

(# of cells x volt of cell x amp pack x max rate x charger losses)/voltage of power supply

So lets take a 3s2P 2200 pack

(3 cells x 3.7v x 2.2A x 1c x 1.3)/13.8v= 2.3 continuous amps needed from power supply.

Hope thats not too confusing

curtis

Sorry Sir!, But Visa's saying We need to destroy the Card!!
08-09-2008 12:25 AM
 
 
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e-Electric Batteries & Chargers > Power Supply - your Knowledge/Expertise will be appreciated
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