Transformer use

Submitted: Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 16:44
ThreadID: 32218 Views:1447 Replies:10 FollowUps:11
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I have a transformer rated at input 240v ac -50 hz output 13.5v dc.1.5a
Can I use this for charging regchargable torches lanterns etc. etc.
Im asuming 13.5 volts DC is fine but what about the 1.5 amps, is this enough and or whats the difference between this and a car battery. Any info would be great cheers
Hairy
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Reply By: Footloose - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 16:58

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 16:58
Hairy, you can sorta, but you shouldn't. I won't go all technical but the batteries are often of different types that require different charging rates/current at different stages of charge.
Nobody wants to be buying new batteries all the time so get a charger that suits the type of battery that you need charging. It will be cheaper and less frustrating in the long term.
AnswerID: 163184

Follow Up By: Hairy - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 17:02

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 17:02
Cheers mate.
Is it good for anything or should I throw it to the sh*# house
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FollowupID: 417946

Follow Up By: Footloose - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 17:11

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 17:11
H, don't throw it unless its very old and looking scrappy. You may well find a use for it. You never know when you can swap things like that :))
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Follow Up By: Hairy - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 17:16

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 17:16
Cheers again but I always inherit things like this and end up with heaps of them taking up room in my shed so unless you want it and are calling through Alice soon it can go. Thanks for your help, much appreciated.
Cheers
Hairy
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FollowupID: 417950

Follow Up By: Footloose - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 17:29

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 17:29
I really appreciate the offer but I am in the same boat. Garage is too full...waaay too full.
I will be in Alice later this year, but probably only long enough to refuel and get breakfast at Maccas. Not that I like the food but I have to fill up both tanks :))
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Follow Up By: Hairy - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 21:55

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 21:55
let us know when you come through, might be able to catch up.
cheers
Hairy
ps todds flowing nicely north of town, just got back and the sound of running water here is pretty bloody good
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FollowupID: 418029

Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 18:11

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 18:11
I assume you will be using chargers that have a Cigarette Lighter Plug on them. The chargers should have the current rating written on them - as long as it is less than 1.5 amp you will be fine.

It might be worthwhile having a Cigarette Lighter socket wired to the end of your power supply leads, that way you can plug in anything designed to use 12 volt.

Mike
AnswerID: 163205

Reply By: Mike Harding - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 19:08

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 19:08
I suggest you don't

A fully discharged battery, even the 4Ah ones in torches, will draw in excess of 1.5 amps.

What you have sounds like a plugpack and probably will not have short circuit protection built in so you may damage the plugpack and at worst it may catch fire if left on charge long enough.

Without much more information we cannot say with any certainty.

Mike Harding
AnswerID: 163228

Follow Up By: Member - Crazy Dog (QLD) - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 20:37

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 20:37
Like Mike Harding said "I suggest you don't"

When are people going to learn to talk to qualified people about these types of issues. As an elect tech and electrician I hear these types of statements frequently and as MH has stated in previous posts you are better off getting the right advice from the right people and using the correct equipment...

That's my view so now you can all get stuck into me if you like...
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Reply By: techie - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 19:18

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 19:18
It can be used to trickle charge a battery.
my in law had trouble with his bike battery, he only used it every 3 - 4 months and the battery would go flat between uses.
he now has a small charger attached to battery between uses and no more flat batteries.
Your transformer would suit this type of situation.
is it AC or DC output?
Techie
AnswerID: 163235

Reply By: Marc - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 19:23

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 19:23
sell it on ebay and with the money buy the right gear. Unless you know what your doing you could burn the house down. Not worth it for a few bucks
AnswerID: 163237

Reply By: Redeye - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 19:40

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 19:40
Have to agree with Marc,

The output will be ac and without technical input and full rectification call the fire brigade.

Redeye
AnswerID: 163242

Follow Up By: Member No 1- Tuesday, Mar 28, 2006 at 07:26

Tuesday, Mar 28, 2006 at 07:26
he told us the output was 12v DC!
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FollowupID: 418108

Follow Up By: Redeye - Tuesday, Mar 28, 2006 at 08:12

Tuesday, Mar 28, 2006 at 08:12
Just being pedantic.

A transformer is two coils of wire (a primary and a secondary) wound on a shared core. All a transformer will do is step up or down ac voltages. ie such as the ignition coil on a motor vehicle. To get DC volts from a transformer you have to rectify the AC and smooth it out. Then it becomes a dc power supply.

Redeye.
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FollowupID: 418112

Follow Up By: Member No 1- Tuesday, Mar 28, 2006 at 08:17

Tuesday, Mar 28, 2006 at 08:17
Really?
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FollowupID: 418114

Reply By: Bob Y. - Qld - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 20:23

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 20:23
Hairy,

With that transformer, you could use it to power an old car radio, for use wherever(there is 240v power). Car radios are usually more sensitive than the ghetto blaster radios, so are good in fringe areas. We've got one here, and can pick a number of stations, all over 250 clicks away.

Hooroo...
Seen it all, Done it all.
Can't remember most of it.

Lifetime Member
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AnswerID: 163275

Follow Up By: Member No 1- Tuesday, Mar 28, 2006 at 07:27

Tuesday, Mar 28, 2006 at 07:27
usually press button too.....
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FollowupID: 418109

Reply By: lifeisgood - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 20:30

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 20:30
Except he has stated its 13.5v dc in the post.So its rectified within the case.
Presumably the torch is definately 12v ? I have a 6v rechargeable unit .
If the charger output pin fits the torch it would be useful to use it with the "cigarette plug" as stated above.
AnswerID: 163279

Reply By: avro - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 21:50

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 21:50
I cannot believe that all the experts are telling you that this transformer is no good. I have just had a look at the plugpack chargers supplied with some of my rechargeable items with 6 volt 4 amphour batteries and they are rated at 12 volt 500 milliamps ie half an amp DC. Sure its slightly higher output voltage but you will get 13.5v out of your car ciggy plug. If your rechargeable items are meant to be charged from 12 volts then this item should be fine. Mind you, you will need to ensure correct polarity otherwise something may go ZAP.

avro
AnswerID: 163306

Reply By: Hairy - Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 22:01

Monday, Mar 27, 2006 at 22:01
Thanks for all the advice but to save this going any further, It was a simple question with a simple answer, it has already gone to the sh#$ house!
Thanks all
AnswerID: 163310

Follow Up By: Member No 1- Tuesday, Mar 28, 2006 at 07:29

Tuesday, Mar 28, 2006 at 07:29
yep...best spot for it...took up too much room
wish my swmbo would get her sheit out of my garage
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FollowupID: 418110

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