Will a 12V Power supply satisfy 240/17.5V Kingray antenna booster

Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 11, 2012 at 21:16
ThreadID: 94818 Views:3166 Replies:4 FollowUps:5
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Hi,
When free camping I have only a 12V power supply, which I could use to run my Kingray TV Antenna amplifer/booster. When in a park I use the 240/17.5V Kingray unit supplied initially with my antenna. Does any forum member have experience using the alternative 12V (PIK170) unit? I was advised that these are available in Adelaide for $39, and will perform the same as the 17.5V unit. (??)

The other option might be to use an inverter with my originally supplied 240/17.5V components. I have no experience what so ever with the use of an inverter, but I believe I will have to buy one shortly so that I can charge my laptop while away from power. Can the inverter do both jobs ?
Your suggestions as to which way to go would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Barry.
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Reply By: dave w - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2012 at 23:06

Wednesday, Apr 11, 2012 at 23:06
G'day Barry, I use the Kingray 240/17.5 power supply plugged into a 600 watt inverter which in turn is connected to a deep cycle battery in a battery box when I'm not using the generator. We normally run our laptop when the gen. is going (pure sinewave) with the fully charged laptop battery removed, also use it connected to the inverter without any problems and I presume it would charge the battery in the laptop providing you kept an eye on car/aux. battery voltage and tickled it up when required. rarely use the laptop battery. hope this helps cobber...cheers.
AnswerID: 482815

Reply By: michael t5 - Thursday, Apr 12, 2012 at 08:33

Thursday, Apr 12, 2012 at 08:33
Hi Barry,
As a option may I suggest an item that my wife and I purchased.
The item is used as a laptop power supply using 12v supply and has a varying range of voltage uses from 15 volt up to 24 volts although we have it set at 19v on the unit. We paid approx $70.00 a few years back and believe that this has been reduced somewhat. Included in the package are 9 connector adaptors for the different types of laptops. Just a thought.
AnswerID: 482828

Follow Up By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Thursday, Apr 12, 2012 at 19:15

Thursday, Apr 12, 2012 at 19:15
Good suggestion Michael, had not thought of that.
I got one of those Lap Top power supplies from Repco about 2 years ago and paid about $40 for it back then. Should be about the same now.

Cheers, Bruce.
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Follow Up By: barry22 - Friday, Apr 13, 2012 at 21:20

Friday, Apr 13, 2012 at 21:20
Hi.Michael,
Thank you for your suggestion. I have looked at the Ebay site that Bruce C listed.. Are you saying you use your unit to drive the 17.5V booster, PLUS you also charge your laptop battery with it? Is your unit an "Inverter", with another name? I was told today that I must use a" pure sine wave" inverter to protect my laptop battery. I am new to all of this, so may be confusing you and me ??
Thank you again for your input.
Barry
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Follow Up By: michael t5 - Saturday, Apr 14, 2012 at 15:55

Saturday, Apr 14, 2012 at 15:55
Hi Barry,
I haven't looked at the website that Bruce suggested at this stage. The unit I have is promoted as "Auto (I presume automatic) Laptop Power Supply able to be used directly off the 12v system and no requirement for an inverter. But these days there are pure sine inverters that are affordable and portable for the cost of our outlay for the above described. Having a caravan we have the inverter also, and this little unit is now pure convenience from within the confines of the van and uses less energy.
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Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Thursday, Apr 12, 2012 at 12:11

Thursday, Apr 12, 2012 at 12:11
Hi Barry. I recently set mine up to 12v hardwired (with an on/off switch) after contacting the Kingray technical people. They advised either the PIK 170 or a PIK2750. I used the latter in conjunction with their masthead amplifier. Am currently in the Temora/Junee areas at the moment and have good reception where last year it was poor with an Antenatech system. Cheers,Bob.
AnswerID: 482845

Follow Up By: barry22 - Friday, Apr 13, 2012 at 21:24

Friday, Apr 13, 2012 at 21:24
Hi Toyocrusa,
Thank you for your comments. Was there a particular reason why you chose the PIK2750 over the 170 ? More power/ more appropriate fittings/ Mine are the older push-in style.
Thanks, Barry
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FollowupID: 758242

Follow Up By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Saturday, Apr 14, 2012 at 10:44

Saturday, Apr 14, 2012 at 10:44
Bit late with a reply Barry as we are camped at Illabo. It has the screw fittings which I was told transfer a better signal with less resisitance at the joint. I think it also takes voltage up to 60v DC.They advised an amplifier with MUH something but as I am travelling don't remember the no. but so far it is all working far superior to last year over the same areas. Bob
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FollowupID: 758274

Reply By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Thursday, Apr 12, 2012 at 19:21

Thursday, Apr 12, 2012 at 19:21
Hi Barry,
As michael suggested, try one of these.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Power-Adptor-Lap-Top-DC3500-Safely-converts-12V-power-specific-voltages-/270868451715?pt=AU_Laptop_Accessories&hash=item3f11049183.

If it does not work as a link then cut and paste into the address bar of your browser.
At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.

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AnswerID: 482884

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