Running a 12 volt device off AC wall power

Martin_H

I have a device that comes with a 12 volt car outlet cable and an AC to car socket adapter to be run off AC power. The AC to car outlet adapter died and the manufacture branded replacement is insanely expensive.

So I am curious how well regulated is the power that comes out of a car's 12 volt outlet? There are many AC adapters that provide a car outlet plug, so aren't they all pretty similar except for current output?

As long as the adapter provides more current than the device will draw wouldn't that be good enough?

RDL2004

An automobile power outlet will typically run between 13.8 and 14.4 v, it sags badly when starting and can be very noisy.

You can find those AC to cigarette lighter socket adapters at Wal-mart (not all, it seems to vary from store to store) and probably in a lot of other stores that have electronics like Best Buy, etc. Look in the area where cell phone chargers are.

edit: I'm not sure how much power those things can put out though.

Peter KG6LSE

Martin_H wrote: »

I have a device that comes with a 12 volt car outlet cable and an AC to car socket adapter to be run off AC power. The AC to car outlet adapter died and the manufacture branded replacement is insanely expensive.

So I am curious how well regulated is the power that comes out of a car's 12 volt outlet? There are many AC adapters that provide a car outlet plug, so aren't they all pretty similar except for current output?Yes and Yes

As long as the adapter provides more current than the device will draw wouldn't that be good enough?

Be aware that some are SMPS and some are not . the SMPS ones are much more cleen DC then a many of the Iron core tanks you might find ..

What Devce are you powering ??


Peter

Martin_H

A Meade ETX-125 telescope. It runs fine off eight AA batteries or the car plug which is just a wire. A replacement AC adapter is now $59.00 list, but was less than $20 when I bought it ten years ago. I'm thinking of attaching a starlight security camera which would also be powered by 12 volts.

Spiral_72

I bought one at Best Buy around Thanksgiving last year. It's 12V @ 5A for $20 - $25 and about the size of a brick. I've loaded it pretty heavy charging LiPo's through a Triton and never had any complaints.



Edit:
You posted the same time I did: For that little bit of current, Jameco had a sale last week (may still be going on) including these 12VDC supplies with the 12V cigarette lighter socket at various current capacities for little to nothing.

Peter KG6LSE

I would assume a 3A brick would do well then .

Peter

Martin_H

Great thanks for the advice.