On 2009-02-08, Ignoramus24731 wrote:
On 2009-02-08, RogerN wrote:
I wouldn't want it for a stranded car because you could just jump start the
car unless it's positioned where you can't get close enough to jump start.
My recent experience was that my truck was stranded at home and I had to
wait a while to get enough charge to get it to start (diesel pickup with 2
batteries). So I was thinking of buying one of those heavy duty battery
chargers but even that would be useless if you lost power, unless you have a
generator. For the price of a heavy duty battery charger I thought I could
buy a $100 Wal-Mart lawn mower, then with an alternator, belt, and motor
pulley I should be in the $200 range for a portable high current battery
charger. So, after the ice and snow and getting enough charge to start the
truck, I thought it would be nice to have a small gasoline powered charger
that I could put in the truck just in case the truck doesn't start after
work.
A lot easier would be to buy a good DC power supply.
I have this one:
http://yabe.algebra.com/~ichudov/mis.../ebayhist.html
(I am no longer selling them). Or a proper battery charger, should
cost you $100 or so used.
By the way. Another advantage of having a decent DC power supply is
that you can use it for a bazillion of other uses, such as plating,
derusting, running DC motors, etc etc.
They are not too expensive on ebay.
Here's a pretty extreme one 20v, 120a:
http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-6011A-20V-120...QQcmdZViewItem
I bought a 6269b power supply (0-40v, 0-50A) for $31 on ebay locally
to me (Fermilab used to dump their stuff on ebay).
This sort of stuff gives you a lot of versatility on one package,
takes a lot less space than a lawnmower engine with car alternator,
and is very clean.
You can charge your trolling motors from your car.
i
There are many battery chargers that have decent capabilities.
Is your system 12v or 24v. 24v may get you into realm of forklift
battery chargers.
Other uses would include being able to take it along when fishing to
recharge the trolling motor battery and taking it to the R/C flying field to
recharge the battery used to charge the electric models. Also could be nice
for camping or anywhere else that 12V lead acid batteries need charged. One
of the websites I saw used one for charging their drag car between races.
From what I've been reading I should be able to make my own regulator
control to recharge other voltage vehicles like golf carts, electric fork
trucks, or whatever up to around 110V or so. I just wish I could figure out
a way to make it work in a small, light, and economical package.
Considering all the time and various doodads, pulleys, switches,
guards, dolly, etc, I cannot see how you can make one cheaper than
$300-500, even without adding your time to the cost.
A used quality charger will cost you only $100 and will work great.
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