12v power

[Blotto Bros]

So, I just purchased a box of 10+ used low voltage landscape lights at a yard sale for $5. I really just wanted the spare bulbs for my already installed lights.

I was about to throw the rest away when I noticed the transformer said 12v 600 watts. I wonder if I could just mount this thing to my trailer and use it as alternate 12v power when I have 110v access at a campground??

Anyone ever done this OR have a good reason why it wont work?

[48Rob]

Does the transformer say 12 Volts DC
or does it say 12 Volts AC?

Rob

[Blotto Bros]

And there lies the rub...I was sure this was just too easy...but I will take a look when I get home.

[8ball_99]

It should be 12v DC.. I've got a couple of those transformers for our landscaping lights and a few dozen of the lights. All that stuff is standard 12v DC. Don't see anyreason why the transformer couldn't be used in a trailer.

[jss06]

If it is 12V DC, you can run 12V appliances and lights with that but you will not be able to charge an onboard battery with it.

[Dale M.]

If it is 12V DC, you can run 12V appliances and lights with that but you will not be able to charge an onboard battery with it.

Why not?

Whats the difference from a 12 v. DC output from a battery charger and the 12 v. DC output from garden lighting transformer...

Dale

[jss06]

If it is 12V DC, you can run 12V appliances and lights with that but you will not be able to charge an onboard battery with it.

Why not?

Whats the difference from a 12 v. DC output from a battery charger and the 12 v. DC output from garden lamp transformer...

Dale

To properly charge a 12V automotive battery you actually need to have around 14V. Most automotive electrical systems actually run at around 14V~14.5V when the engine is running. (we are rulling out 6V and 24V electrical for this discussion). the battery charger actually runs at 14+ volts when its running and monitors the battery charge to keep from over charging it.

[Dale M.]

If it is 12V DC, you can run 12V appliances and lights with that but you will not be able to charge an onboard battery with it.

Why not?

Whats the difference from a 12 v. DC output from a battery charger and the 12 v. DC output from garden lamp transformer...

Dale

To properly charge a 12V automotive battery you actually need to have around 14V. Most automotive electrical systems actually run at around 14V~14.5V when the engine is running. (we are rulling out 6V and 24V electrical for this discussion). the battery charger actually runs at 14+ volts when its running and monitors the battery charge to keep from over charging it.

First you are assuming garden lighting system puts out EXACTLY 12 volts..... Bet its not so....

Final arbiter will be what is exact DC output voltage of lighting power supply, if it is in the 14 volt range it will charge the battery......

Dale

[kstephenson]

Even if it does put out 14 volts...... how many amps will it put out? Amps are what we use to charge the battery.

[jss06]

If it is 12V DC, you can run 12V appliances and lights with that but you will not be able to charge an onboard battery with it.

Why not?

Whats the difference from a 12 v. DC output from a battery charger and the 12 v. DC output from garden lamp transformer...

Dale

To properly charge a 12V automotive battery you actually need to have around 14V. Most automotive electrical systems actually run at around 14V~14.5V when the engine is running. (we are rulling out 6V and 24V electrical for this discussion). the battery charger actually runs at 14+ volts when its running and monitors the battery charge to keep from over charging it.

First you are assuming garden lighting system puts out EXACTLY 12 volts..... Bet its not so....

Final arbiter will be what is exact DC output voltage of lighting power supply, if it is in the 14 volt range it will charge the battery......

Dale

That is correct as long as the system puts out more than 14 Volts. The 12V lighiting system I have runs at 12.5V. That is not sufficent to charge or even maintain a charge on an Automotive battery. I have put a DVM on it in the past to verify the voltage for other reasons.

[jss06]

Even if it does put out 14 volts...... how many amps will it put out? Amps are what we use to charge the battery.

600W at 14V is roughly 42 Amps. It will charge.

[Dale M.]

If it is 12V DC, you can run 12V appliances and lights with that but you will not be able to charge an onboard battery with it.

Why not?

Whats the difference from a 12 v. DC output from a battery charger and the 12 v. DC output from garden lamp transformer...

Dale

To properly charge a 12V automotive battery you actually need to have around 14V. Most automotive electrical systems actually run at around 14V~14.5V when the engine is running. (we are rulling out 6V and 24V electrical for this discussion). the battery charger actually runs at 14+ volts when its running and monitors the battery charge to keep from over charging it.

First you are assuming garden lighting system puts out EXACTLY 12 volts..... Bet its not so....

Final arbiter will be what is exact DC output voltage of lighting power supply, if it is in the 14 volt range it will charge the battery......

Dale

That is correct as long as the system puts out more than 14 Volts. The 12V lighiting system I have runs at 12.5V. That is not sufficent to charge or even maintain a charge on an Automotive battery. I have put a DVM on it in the past to verify the voltage for other reasons.

Are you saying you run a "landscape lighting" transformer to power you system?

Dale

[jss06]

Are you saying you run a "landscape lighting" transformer to power you system?

Dale

No, I am saying I run a landscape lighting transformer to run my landscape lighting.

[Blotto Bros]

Thanks for all the info...its a dead idea now though. I visited one of my shops today and realized I have a Progressive Dynamics PD1960a. I was walking in the tool section and noticed it next to the battery chargers.

I asked the store manager where it came from and he replied "I bought it from a guy" I asked why it was in the tool section and was told "I think its a tool". When asked why he bought it not knowing what it was he replied "It was expensive on Ebay, was brand new and the guy only wanted $70". It turns out it was purchased for a travel trailer, installed and then a tree fell on the trailer a month later.

Sometimes when everything goes wrong things turn out ok. I really wanted to be upset with him for buying things that he has no clue what are..what are used for or how to test but couldn't bring myself to not be happy that I found what I needed.

[Richard A.]

I noticed the transformer said 12v 600 watts. I wonder if I could just mount this thing to my trailer and use it as alternate 12v power when I have 110v access at a campground??

Anyone ever done this OR have a good reason why it wont work?

Not that it matters to you now .. but for others .. I *seriously* doubt that this was 12v at 600 watts. That is WAY, WAY too much juice to be carried in the small wires that come out of such a unit.