Which AC to DC Power Supply Brands work well?

[jT415Gz]

Wassup all,

I have the TP1010C charger and want to use it at home.
So obviously I need to look for a efficient 12-13 Volt, 10-12 Amp AC-DC Power Supply. I noticed that AstroFlight makes one... but can anyone recommend some others to me with brand names included? Thanks!

[spork]

I go the PC power supply route. Here in the S.F. bay area you should have no trouble getting one free. Makes a great supply.

[jrohland]

I am charging 2 5s (4350 MAH) packs together with seperate TP1010 chanrgers. To do that, I need a hefty power supply. I got this one. As you can see, that item has ended on ebay. I'm sure you can find it eleswhere or something similar.

Search ebay and craigslist for HAM radio power supplies. Those are great because they are 13.8 volts and high output current.

jrohland

[Probedude]

You can get this for the starting price. About 1.5 weeks shipping time from China. It's made by MeanWell - a good quality switching power supply
http://cgi.ebay.com/12V-13-8VDC-12-A...mZ230126242413

Dave

[DebianDog]

If you want one today that will run (2) 1010's - Radioshack - 25 Amps - $99
Click me

[Probedude]

I see these are still on sale too

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/9099

150W (12V 12.5A) ~$27

This company is in AZ.

Dave

[Clintstone]

Jetstream and MFJ make a nice 40 amp switching power supply . I have been using one of each and they work great. These units go for 160 to 210.

[stikflyer]

Debiandog, how do you like your superbrain? I am thinking about getting one myself, how mant lipo cell can you charge on it?
Kevin.

http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/66729665148b049df9ae081efdead50f.jpg[/img][/quote]

[DebianDog]

I do not charge lipolys on it. Before I had a balancer I puffed a pack on it.

The warning

From MRC Super Brain 969 Pro AC/DC Delta Peak Charger with Dual Output and
Discharge Function Instruction Manual.

Model Rectifier Corporation
80 Newfield Avenue
Edison, NJ 08837-3817
732 225-6360
www.modelrectifier.com

B. CHARGING LITHIUM ION-POLYMER BATTERIES

Never leave batteries unattended when charging. Monitor the temperature of
the battery occasionally during the charge cycle. If batteries become hot,
disconnect immediately.

Because of the volatile nature of Lithium batteries, great care must be
taken when charging these cells. If improperly or over charged, the is the
risk that the battery will explode or catch fire. Please follow instructions
and/or recommendations from battery manufacturer when selecting proper
charge rate.

You should always select 5mV peak threshold for all Lithium Ion/Polymer
batteries. You should also start with a fully discharged battery and do a
"capacity" charge as stated above in step 8. However, do not enter a
capacity higher than the rated capacity of the battery or damage may occur.
If you do not begin with a fully discharged battery, then you will have to
estimate the remaining capacity in the battery. We recommend that you use a
charge rate at no higher than half (0.5 times) the rated capacity (example
for 6OOmAH battery the charge rate = 0.5 x 600 or 0.30 amps). Also, be
careful not to discharge the battery too low (3 volts per cell), or damage
to the battery may occur. We recommend that you use a discharge rate no
higher than 0.2 amps.


LITHIUM BATTERIES DO NOT HAVE A PEAK, IF THE CHARGE IS NOT TERMINATED THE
VOLTAGE JUST KEEPS RISING UNTIL THE BATTERY SELF DESTRUCTS IN MANNER THAT
COULD CAUSE A FIRE. IF THE USER DOES NOT CORRECTLY ESTIMATE THE AMOUNT OF
CAPACITY REMAINING IN THE BATTERY AT THE BEGINNING OF CHARGE OR THE CAPACITY
HAS DIMINISHED WITH USE, A SERIOUS AND HAZARDOUS SITUATION WILL EXIST.

I have not tried it with my V-Balancer. Maybe when the Ion is flying again I will do a test charge since each pack burns about the same amount of Ions (dual packs).

Have not tried the newer version (989) but hear it is better

[jT415Gz]

what about pro peak? http://grandrc.com/inc/sdetail/78012
good for using (2) TP1010C's?

[jT415Gz]

ALSO, how the heck do you connect your alligator clips to the banana posts on most of these power supplies? Any modifications that you guys do? I don't wanna cut my alligators cuz i will charge off my 12V batt.
Right On

[Probedude]

I cut mine off, but left ~ 3" of wire left on them, then installed banana jacks. If I need to use them I still can.

[Davin 5]

Originally Posted by jT415Gz

what about pro peak? http://grandrc.com/inc/sdetail/78012
good for using (2) TP1010C's?

I bought this exact PS from GrandRC on Thursday. Less expensive than the Radio Shack PS, but still can support a solid 20A. I would have bought the Radio Shack one had I not went to the heli shop first!

[jT415Gz]

Originally Posted by Davin 5

I bought this exact PS from GrandRC on Thursday. Less expensive than the Radio Shack PS, but still can support a solid 20A. I would have bought the Radio Shack one had I not went to the heli shop first!

Yeah, I was really close to getting RadioShack's PS... but they sell them expensive compared to other brands I've researched about.
Any problems with the Pro Peak so far Davin 5? What charger are you using? I may go down the Pro Peak road if I don't get a MFJ from eBay. Let me know how the PS works out! :mrgreen:

[jT415Gz]

Originally Posted by Probedude

I cut mine off, but left ~ 3" of wire left on them, then installed banana jacks. If I need to use them I still can.

What charger are you using and do you charge at the field? If so, how would you charge at the field if you don't have the convenience of alligator clips to clip on to a batt? Unless, you use some other method of charging at the field.

Are banana plugs all standard sized?

I may get a Pro Peak.

[Davin 5]

So far the Pro Peak has been great. I'm using it to power a Bantam 902 charger. The Radio Shack one is good too, I just went with Pro Peak cause it's 30 bucks less. Are you in SF? Where do you fly at by the way?

[Davin 5]

Originally Posted by jT415Gz

What charger are you using and do you charge at the field? If so, how would you charge at the field if you don't have the convenience of alligator clips to clip on to a batt? Unless, you use some other method of charging at the field.

Are banana plugs all standard sized?

I may get a Pro Peak.

Cut the aligator clips off with some amount of wire still attached. Solder male banana plugs to wires running to the charger. Solder female banana plugs to the wire going to the alligator clips. I stayed in a holiday Inn Express last night.

[Probedude]

Originally Posted by jT415Gz

What charger are you using and do you charge at the field? If so, how would you charge at the field if you don't have the convenience of alligator clips to clip on to a batt? Unless, you use some other method of charging at the field.

Are banana plugs all standard sized?

I may get a Pro Peak.

Cellpro is my charger. At the field I use a 33AH SLA battery that I have attached banana jacks to along with a 10A fuse in-line with one of the leads.

Because I soldered banana jacks to my battery clips onto the remaining 3" of wire, I can still use those if I want to by plugging them into my banana plugs on the charger. The 33AH SLA battery has been plenty big for me though.

There is a 'mini' banana plug, you don't want that. If it doesn't say 'mini' you should be safe. Some plugs and jacks are better than others. I've been using Pomona and Keystone brand for many years - they hold up well.

Dave

[tcast305]

I went with IOTA 55amp power supply. Enough to power both of my TP 1010c chargers when charging 2 10s packs at the same time and plenty left over for my other smaller chargers too. I've had zero problems with it, and it always on too.

I got it for 135 brand new off ebay.

Thanks.

[Probedude]

Originally Posted by tcast305

I went with IOTA 55amp power supply. Enough to power both of my TP 1010c chargers when charging 2 10s packs at the same time and plenty left over for my other smaller chargers too. I've had zero problems with it, and it always on too.

I got it for 135 brand new off ebay.

Thanks.

Great price! I bought 4 of these recently - still need to load test them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=260116997633

12V at 125A. I was told they were used for the LED signs around the perimeter of the Atlanta Braves stadium.

Overkill for my RC needs but I can see needing them for side business work in the future.

Dave