Posts tagged option choice

Power Supply 12v

Across our {numerous|many} hundreds of articles we {often|frequently} present circuits, systems, and appliances which are powered by 12 Volts DC – primarily {simply because|because} the majority of all DIY renewable energy systems are connected to 12V battery banks. {Nevertheless|However}, we {obtain|receive} so {numerous|many} questions from REUK.co.uk {website|site} visitors asking us where to {purchase|buy} a {appropriate|suitable} plug-in power supply (mains transformer / PSU) that we have put our recommendations together in this {1|one} {write-up|article}.

Power Supply 12v

Low Power – {Much less|Less} than 1 Amp

For power outputs below 12 Watts (1 Amp) you are spoiled for {option|choice}. Most of these PSU’s are built into a {regular|standard} mains plug (as pictured above) in {little|small}, lightweight units. Some are supplied with a selection of {typical|common} connectors ({such as|including} the most {typical|common} 2.1mm and 2.5mm {kinds|types}), but {other people|others} come fitted with just {1|one} connector ({usually|typically} 2.1mm).

Power Supply 12v

Look out for regulated power supplies ({a lot|much} {much better|better} for sensitive electronics), and efficiency of at least 60%.

Rapid {On-line|Online}
5W Switch Mode Plugtop PSU (400 mA, 60% efficient)
15W Switch Mode Plugtop PSU (1.2 mA, 75% efficient)

Power Supply 12v

Maplin
15W Variable Voltage Regulated AC/DC Switched Mode Power Supply (1.25 Amp at {three|3}, {4|four}.{five|5}, 6, 7.{five|5}, 9, and 12 Volts DC output voltage).

Medium Power – 1.5A to 10A
{As soon as|Once} you get to above 1.2 to 1.{five|5} Amps, power supplies {turn out to be|become} a bit harder to {discover|find} and are {much more|more} {costly|expensive}. {Nevertheless|However}, they also tend to be {created|made} of {much better|better} {high quality|quality} components, and are {much more|more} efficient.

Power Supply 12v

Rapid {On-line|Online} *
25W 12V DC Miniature Desktop Switch Mode PSU (2 Amp, 80% efficient)
65W 12V DC Miniature Desktop Switch Mode PSU ({five|5} Amp, 80% efficient)
90W 12V DC Miniature Desktop Switch Mode PSU (7 Amp, 80% efficient)
120W 12V DC Miniature Desktop Switch Mode PSU (10 Amp, built-in cooling fan)

Power Supply 12v

Maplin
60W Variable Voltage Switched Mode AC/DC Power Supply ({five|5} Amp @ 5V, 6V, 7.5V, 9V, and 12V output voltage {4|four} Amp @ 13.5V and 15V output)

* The Rapid {items|products} listed above have a built-in IEC320-C8 mains power inlet. A separate figure-of-8 power lead with plug {should|must} be {bought|purchased}, but these are only �2 at Rapid: click here to {purchase|buy} now.

Power Supply 12v

High Power – {much more|more} than 10 Amps
Above 10 Amps (120 Watts) it becomes {extremely|very} {tough|difficult} to {discover|find} a power supply that is not {extremely|very} {costly|expensive}. {1|One} {typical|common} {answer|solution} is to use a {pc|computer} power supply unit. These are {obtainable|available} from a couple of hundred Watts up to 1kW, and can {consequently|therefore} reliably supply 20, 30, 40 Amps etc {price|cost} {successfully|effectively} and fairly efficiently.

{Pc|Computer} PSU’s are {generally|usually} fitted with at least {three|3} or {4|four} output 12V connectors, so you {might|may} {require|need} to cannibalise a {appropriate|suitable} output cable to get your 12 VDC output {with out|without} opening up the case of the PSU.

{1|One} key {benefit|advantage} of {utilizing|using} {pc|computer} PSU’s in this way, is that they are fitted with {powerful|strong} and quiet cooling fans as they are {created|designed} to be {utilized|used} in offices. {Usually|Typically} they {provide|offer} 70% efficiency, {nevertheless|however} green power supply units are {obtainable|available} now which give over 90% efficiency.

eBay UK
There are {generally|usually} {three|3},000 {pc|computer} PSU’s and other PSU’s for sale on eBay UK at any {1|one} time. Click here to search now for PSU with {costs|prices} {beginning|starting} from below �5.

Rapid
370W {Pc|Computer} PSU (30 Amp, 80mm cooling fan, just 37dB noise level, under �15 inc VAT)

Modifying a {Pc|Computer} PSU
{Pc|Computer} PSU’s {usually|typically} output 5V (yellow cables) and 12V (red cables), and the ground cables are black. ({Occasionally|Sometimes} there is also a low {present|current} -5V (white cable), -12V (blue cable), and power {great|good} (orange cable) which you will not be {utilizing|using}.) The cables are fitted to connectors {prepared|ready} for {fast|quick} plug-in connection to the {pc|computer} motherboard, CPU, {tough|hard} drive, etc. {Merely|Simply} cut off the connector plugs, group the wires of {every|each} colour together – i.e. all the reds, all the yellows, all the blacks – and solder the ends together.

The {present|current} rating for {every|each} output from the PSU {ought to|should} be printed on the PSU case, so {merely|simply} add up the total 12V Amps to calculate the absolute maximum {present|current} which can be taken from the PSU at 12 Volts DC. Put a fuse between the soldered end of the bundled red wires and the device to be powered for safety. Ideally the fuse {ought to|should} be rated at 10-20% below the maximum stated PSU 12V {present|current} rating, and you {ought to|should} use no {much more|more} than 60-70% of the {obtainable|available} {present|current}.

Make {certain|sure} that the cable you use between the PSU and the device to be powered has a {present|current} rating in excess of that {needed|required} by the device to be powered.