best method to get AC to power 12 V DC

[BC Dave]

should I have any concerns?!

Just one, you can't charge a battery with a computer power supply so keep that in mind if you ever plan to install a battery in your trailer.

Bruce

ok; thanks for the pointers .... I kinda knew that AC is different from DC ....

but why couldn't I charge from a 12V 10 amp DC output?? I have a 120 amp deep cycle already installed; ....and was hoping to trickle charge by leaving ti connected through the charge controller ....

[Engineer Guy]

The Chemistry going on inside Batteries has a non-ideal way to be dealt with, and an ideal way. To address this, Battery Chargers provide differing Voltages over time [concept simplified]. Read about it at this Link:

Battery Tender Tutorial

Battery Tender Products

Also note that different Batteries - true Deep Cycle being one such type - also have slightly varying, ideal ways to be charged.

See info throughout this .pdf. On different Battery types, like Marine Batteries vs. Automotive, click on that Product type and then read another .pdf on exact care recommendations on that Page.

Deka Battery .pdf

The payback in dealing with these subtle issues is to enjoy extended Battery life, and minimize the cost of replacing a Battery that failed prematurely.

[jss06]

but why couldn't I charge from a 12V 10 amp DC output?? I have a 120 amp deep cycle already installed; ....and was hoping to trickle charge by leaving ti connected through the charge controller ....

A 12V computer power supply puts out a true 12V. Your car alternator when running puts out 14 to 14.5 Volts. This higher voltage is necassary to charge a battery. Battery chargers also emulate this by putting out a higher voltage to charge the battery.

The Multi stage chargers that are designed to be plugged in constantly have logic built into them to monitor the battery charge and adjust their output accordingly. This is why you want the charger/converter as close to the battery as possible.

[droid_ca]

so are these light for inside or outside of the trailer?

[BC Dave]

so are these light for inside or outside of the trailer?

Inside; they work great;check my album there installed there; Id highly recommed them, I get great pure white 10W light at .8 amps; its like 60W bulb; except that the 2 wires that hold the lamp are the conductors; dont know why they didn't coat them

but why couldn't I charge from a 12V 10 amp DC output?? I have a 120 amp deep cycle already installed; ....and was hoping to trickle charge by leaving ti connected through the charge controller ....

A 12V computer power supply puts out a true 12V. Your car alternator when running puts out 14 to 14.5 Volts. This higher voltage is necassary to charge a battery. Battery chargers also emulate this by putting out a higher voltage to charge the battery.

The Multi stage chargers that are designed to be plugged in constantly have logic built into them to monitor the battery charge and adjust their output accordingly. This is why you want the charger/converter as close to the battery as possible.

oh yes; knew that too ... so Id be actually under chargeing the deep cycle marine battery ... but thanks for the reminder ...

[Alfred]

Hey all,

Can someone provide a couple of links to the type of computer power supply would work? I don't use battery power and need to find something to power my Fantastic Vent Fan and 12v lights, now that my original converter bit the dust.

Thanks,

AL

[pmowers]

Can someone provide a couple of links to the type of computer power supply would work? I don't use battery power and need to find something to power my Fantastic Vent Fan and 12v lights, now that my original converter bit the dust.

I found a AC>12V 6A converter at our local Black & Decker outlet. It is designed to power the Igloo type electric cooler, I paid about $15. It is alot smaller than the computer supplies that I have had.

As far as using a computer power supply, the older the better (AT) style. You could probably get one for free from your local teen aged hacker or recycling place - The newer supplies are smaller (switching) type, and require a load on them to work, additionally, some of them sense no load and shut themselves off, you have to reapply the power.

Prices for new p/s run anywhere from $10 to $100s. Here is a link for one that will put out about 15A.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1621514&CatId=1078
One advantage of using a computer power supply is that you get plenty of 5V for all of the USB charger type thingies.