Dell 6650 Field Power Supply Box

[TaterTot]

Originally Posted by CaliRCflyer

Thanks for the info, a picture is worth a thousand words

I am looking for a 2K pot. What power or watts should I get? I have found 1/4watt up to 2watts. All of the ones I found are 3 wire hook up. I am not by any means a Sparky Pro could you help out with the wiring on the potentiometers.


To set up current sharing do you wire the green pins from each ps together?


Thanks again

I would think the 1/4 watt pot would be fine, it is not really doing much but you could always play it safe and get a larger one...

On the 3 pin pots, basically the middle terminal is usually the wiper. So the resistance between it and either outside terminal will be proportional to the turning of the shaft.

Maybe someone else can chime in on the current sharing, because I do not know about that...

[Thursday]

Anyone know if a Powerlabs 8 will fit inside the Kobalt toolbox?

[ShaneJourdan]

Originally Posted by Thursday

Anyone know if a Powerlabs 8 will fit inside the Kobalt toolbox?

Sure does,

[Thursday]

Originally Posted by DoctorJ

Sure does,

But does the lid close?

I'm doing a mock up of my insert tray now and got to thinking the PL8 I ordered might not fit with out some sort of step down in the tray.

We're going to be twins!

[ShaneJourdan]

Yes, is closes nicely.

Nice job my freind!!

[ShaneJourdan]

Duel PL8 linked together charging 30amps each so Sweet!!

I like this much better, charges much faster and you can see each cell voltage, resistance etc.

[pctomlin]

Hey DJ,
Just got done building this for a friend, should look a little familiar. Great mod idea for connecting the PSUs together by the way. The tool tray that comes with the box actually makes a great tray for the charger. The handle was pretty easy to remove.

[Thursday]

Very nice PCtomlin. I thought about using the tool tray as well, but I decided to just go with plexi-glass and keep the tray for some heli tools.

[Thursday]

I think I'm finally finished with mine. Painted the 6650 exhaust fan grill and removed the stickers on the fans. It's hard to capture the true look of the LED voltage meters.

I'll post a how to video in time. Thanks PCtomlin, and DoctorJ for pioneering this setup.

[CeeveeSiN]

That was my box right above that looks like yours.. but where did you get those LEDs.. thats awesome.. I may want to rewire mine to allow 2 PL6s like above. thats really sweet

[ShaneJourdan]

Originally Posted by Thursday

I think I'm finally finished with mine. Painted the 6650 exhaust fan grill and removed the stickers on the fans. It's hard to capture the true look of the LED voltage meters.

I'll post a how to video in time. Thanks PCtomlin, and DoctorJ for pioneering this setup.

You dog... nice freeken job, where did you get the led volt meters?

[ShaneJourdan]

Originally Posted by pctomlin

Hey DJ,
Just got done building this for a friend, should look a little familiar. Great mod idea for connecting the PSUs together by the way. The tool tray that comes with the box actually makes a great tray for the charger. The handle was pretty easy to remove.

Paul, why didn't I think of that... awesome, its so cool how thing evolve with all this brain matter around here!!

[pctomlin]

That is what is great about these forums. The collective brain power of many come up with some great ideas that build off of others. Pick and choose what works for you and make it your own.

[Thursday]

Originally Posted by DoctorJ

You dog... nice freeken job, where did you get the led volt meters?

Thanks. I got the voltage meters on eBay, they're from China and took over a month to ship.

[Rotoritis]

Its always a work in progress, been working on making mine better since summer of last year. The power source is two Hewlett and Packard 575Watt 47Amp PC PS. wired in series for 24.30 volts. they have been working for a full year, Ebay as well $30. Best Power source for the money.

Ive gone through all different kinds of boxes.. from suitcase, tool boxes and others, but I found this one to be the best one yet. Its a SaltWater TackleBox, made in the USA by PLANO.

I put the batteries in the side slots (holds up to three each side for parallel charging), when the batts are done I flip them around so I know they are charged and I'm not grabbing a DC'd pack.

Power source in the middle on a piece of plexiglass so it slides in and out for easy access, large cooling fan on the outside circulates air,
Great thing about this box is its soft plastic than can be cut with an exacto knife, no power tools needed, you can cut anything to your liking.
This summer should be GREAT...Glad Im not the only DIY guy out there, those others look better than any of the ones I first did..

[pctomlin]

Glad Im not the only DIY guy out there, those others look better than any of the ones I first did..

No such thing as others look better. It is all about your ideas and what works for you. Very cool take for a charging box using the Plano tackle box. Well thought out and love the battery storage compartments on the sides.

[ckflyer]

Are you guys buying the psu's new or used? Everything I find on eBay is used or refurbished. Not sure if they would be okay or not....

[pctomlin]

All but one of the psus that I have used were refurbished off ebay. Occasionally you will come across a good deal on a new one.

[JesseRigg]

The two I bought off eBay were used. They have been running strong for over two years now and they definitely get a work out. I usually pull about 40 to 60 amps. I fly a lot, so they run about 20 - 30 hrs a month.

Hope this helps with your decision. I have been very pleased with mine. You just can't beat this kind of power for the price and a little time.

[ckflyer]

Thanks a ton for the replies guys, I appreciate it! Going this route is a lot easier on the slush fund. Plus there's just something about building something on your own that makes stuff like this more fun (IMO anyways).