OT Electrical
 

I know, 2 offtopic threads started within a week is probably against all
sorts of rules.

But, I have an electrical question and given some of the responses to
electrical questions I've seen before I know that someone here will be able
to answer it.

So, here goes. I have a small, 1:32 scale slot car track upon which I run 4
cars, the cars each pull between 1 and 1.5 amps at about 8-10 volts dc. I
get the dc from a regulated, variable power supply which is normally plugged
into a standard wall circuit.

I want to set up a battery operated power system to enable me to use the
track at events where power is either not available or not practical and I'd
like to avoid the use of a generator if possible.

Specifically, I want to use a 12 volt, deep cycle battery, hook that up to a
power inverter and then hook up the power supply to the inverter to run the
track.

If the battery can run at 25 amps for say 140 minutes and still have a
reserve capacity of 1.5 volts per cell, which seems to be the standard used
in battery data tables, given my usage as stated above, how long could I
theoretically run the cars non-stop before running out of power? I think it
would be somewhere around 10 hours but I'm not sure if I'm missing something
obvious.

The reason I want to run the battery thru the inverter and then the power
supply is because the power supply gives me a way to easily adjust the power
level at the track as well as giving me some protection against a short
circuit as the power supply is fused. The supply also has built in volt and
amp meters.I've run the supply off the inverter which was then plugged into
my van in the past with no problems and I could just hook up the battery
directly but I don't want to run the cars at 12 + volts, they'll just fly
off in the corners.

Am I close in my guesstimate of power consumption?

For those who know more about deep cycle batteries, is there a preferred
method of re-charging them or will a standard battery charger work ok?

I'm also considering using a solar cell to keep the battery topped off, any
downside to that? Do deep cycle batteries work ok with low current trickle
charging?

For what it's worth, I built the track structure itself using some
woodworking knowledge I picked up from the wreck, so thanks for that and
thanks in advance for any advice anyone can offer on the above.


John Emmons


"when hatred calls with his package, refuse delivery..."

John Emmons wrote:
I know, 2 offtopic threads started within a week is probably against
all sorts of rules.


I thought this was a woodwork group?

If you had a wooden power supply, it woodn't work?

"John Emmons" wrote in message
...
I know, 2 offtopic threads started within a week is probably against all
sorts of rules.

A trolling motor perhaps would go a long way to solving your very OT
question. (Not a wooden trolling motor though).
Jim

It may be off topic but I assure you I'm not trolling for anything.

I'm trying to tap into the wisdom that exists on this list. As I wrote
earlier, I built the track using some things I've learned here.

John Emmons

"Jim" wrote in message
. ..

"John Emmons" wrote in message
...
I know, 2 offtopic threads started within a week is probably against all
sorts of rules.

A trolling motor perhaps would go a long way to solving your very OT
question. (Not a wooden trolling motor though).
Jim

"John Emmons" wrote in message
...
It may be off topic but I assure you I'm not trolling for anything.

I'm trying to tap into the wisdom that exists on this list. As I wrote
earlier, I built the track using some things I've learned here.

John Emmons

"Jim" wrote in message
. ..

"John Emmons" wrote in message
...
I know, 2 offtopic threads started within a week is probably against all
sorts of rules.

A trolling motor perhaps would go a long way to solving your very OT
question. (Not a wooden trolling motor though).
Jim




John:
A trolling motor is what you put on the front of a fishing boat when your
really want to go slowly and quietly (to catch fish of course).

Jim

I see, you have reading comprehension problems.

Glad we got that straightened out.

Thanks for the enlightening answer.

John

"Jim" wrote in message
. ..

"John Emmons" wrote in message
...
It may be off topic but I assure you I'm not trolling for anything.

I'm trying to tap into the wisdom that exists on this list. As I wrote
earlier, I built the track using some things I've learned here.

John Emmons

"Jim" wrote in message
. ..

"John Emmons" wrote in message
...
I know, 2 offtopic threads started within a week is probably against
all
sorts of rules.

A trolling motor perhaps would go a long way to solving your very OT
question. (Not a wooden trolling motor though).
Jim




John:
A trolling motor is what you put on the front of a fishing boat when your
really want to go slowly and quietly (to catch fish of course).

Jim

John Emmons wrote:
I see, you have reading comprehension problems.

Glad we got that straightened out.

Thanks for the enlightening answer.

John

[snip]

Try...

uk.d-i-y for your query.

p.s don't top post they hate it.

Try...

uk.d-i-y for your query.

p.s don't top post they hate it.

LOL

John Emmons wrote:

So, here goes. I have a small, 1:32 scale slot car track upon which I run 4
cars, the cars each pull between 1 and 1.5 amps at about 8-10 volts dc. I
get the dc from a regulated, variable power supply which is normally plugged
into a standard wall circuit.

I want to set up a battery operated power system to enable me to use the
track at events where power is either not available or not practical and I'd
like to avoid the use of a generator if possible.

snip

Understand up front that what you are trying to do is very inefficient
electrically.

Start with a pair of 6VDC, T105 or T125 golf cart batteries in series to
get 12 VDC.

If you have a strong back, consider L16 floor sweeper batteries as an
alternate.

Next you want a pure sine wave inverter, probably at least 1000 watts.

Non sime wave units are lower cost, but are not suggested for this
application.

Recharging can be done a couple of ways, either with a decent battery
recharger complete wit a good regulator (Color me expensive) or some
solar panels complete with a blocking diode regulator.

An elcheapo automotive recharger will work in a pinch, but is not good
over the long haul.

Expect to spend between $500-$1,000 to get up and running.

HTH

Lew

The electrical advice given hear runs in three categories:
(1) Right.
(2) Wrong.
(3) Dangerous.
If you take the advice in the first category, you will be fine. The other
two, you don't want to mess with. It is up to you to decide what is right
(you have a one in three chance). If you know enough to determine what is
right and what is wrong, there is no need to ask. If you don't, you would be
well advised to find a RELIABLE resource.

"John Emmons" wrote in message
...
I know, 2 offtopic threads started within a week is probably against all
sorts of rules.

But, I have an electrical question and given some of the responses to
electrical questions I've seen before I know that someone here will be
able
to answer it.

So, here goes. I have a small, 1:32 scale slot car track upon which I run
4
cars, the cars each pull between 1 and 1.5 amps at about 8-10 volts dc. I
get the dc from a regulated, variable power supply which is normally
plugged
into a standard wall circuit.

I want to set up a battery operated power system to enable me to use the
track at events where power is either not available or not practical and
I'd
like to avoid the use of a generator if possible.

Specifically, I want to use a 12 volt, deep cycle battery, hook that up to
a
power inverter and then hook up the power supply to the inverter to run
the
track.

If the battery can run at 25 amps for say 140 minutes and still have a
reserve capacity of 1.5 volts per cell, which seems to be the standard
used
in battery data tables, given my usage as stated above, how long could I
theoretically run the cars non-stop before running out of power? I think
it
would be somewhere around 10 hours but I'm not sure if I'm missing
something
obvious.

The reason I want to run the battery thru the inverter and then the power
supply is because the power supply gives me a way to easily adjust the
power
level at the track as well as giving me some protection against a short
circuit as the power supply is fused. The supply also has built in volt
and
amp meters.I've run the supply off the inverter which was then plugged
into
my van in the past with no problems and I could just hook up the battery
directly but I don't want to run the cars at 12 + volts, they'll just fly
off in the corners.

Am I close in my guesstimate of power consumption?

For those who know more about deep cycle batteries, is there a preferred
method of re-charging them or will a standard battery charger work ok?

I'm also considering using a solar cell to keep the battery topped off,
any
downside to that? Do deep cycle batteries work ok with low current trickle
charging?

For what it's worth, I built the track structure itself using some
woodworking knowledge I picked up from the wreck, so thanks for that and
thanks in advance for any advice anyone can offer on the above.


John Emmons


"when hatred calls with his package, refuse delivery..."

uh guys, did I mention that this is for a slot car track...it's pretty low
tech.

I only need to be able to turn the thing on in a parking lot for a few hours
at a stretch without plugging it into a standard AC socket.

Lew, your system while admirable in it's complexity is way more than I could
ever need. I know that my battery to inverter to power supply is inefficient
but it's only going to be used on a sporadic basis.

I do appreciate your efforts and thoughts.

Right now I've priced the battery at about $60.00, I've already got the
inverter and a good battery charger to use. My main issue was how long the
battery would hold up in use.

Thanks.

John Emmons


"Lew Hodgett" wrote in message
nk.net...
John Emmons wrote:

So, here goes. I have a small, 1:32 scale slot car track upon which I
run 4
cars, the cars each pull between 1 and 1.5 amps at about 8-10 volts dc.
I
get the dc from a regulated, variable power supply which is normally
plugged
into a standard wall circuit.

I want to set up a battery operated power system to enable me to use
the
track at events where power is either not available or not practical and
I'd
like to avoid the use of a generator if possible.

snip

Understand up front that what you are trying to do is very inefficient
electrically.

Start with a pair of 6VDC, T105 or T125 golf cart batteries in series to
get 12 VDC.

If you have a strong back, consider L16 floor sweeper batteries as an
alternate.

Next you want a pure sine wave inverter, probably at least 1000 watts.

Non sime wave units are lower cost, but are not suggested for this
application.

Recharging can be done a couple of ways, either with a decent battery
recharger complete wit a good regulator (Color me expensive) or some
solar panels complete with a blocking diode regulator.

An elcheapo automotive recharger will work in a pinch, but is not good
over the long haul.

Expect to spend between $500-$1,000 to get up and running.

HTH

Lew

John Emmons wrote:


Lew, your system while admirable in it's complexity is way more than I could
ever need. I know that my battery to inverter to power supply is inefficient
but it's only going to be used on a sporadic basis.


It is the same system you described, only engineered to get the job
done, but then again, what did you expect from a cruising sailor who
lives on 12VDC battery powerG?

Lew

1. DAGS on: "slot car" + home + track
2. This will return some 171,000 hits
3. When you find the one labeled www.slotside.com you're on the right track
(take a look at their plans for a slot car box while you're there. Great woodworking project for
your cars)
4. Get on the slot car "web ring" circuit. Many home/club tracks featured there with many detailed
descriptions of all stages of track building. I've seen some with detailed instructions on adding
battery power to home tracks. Been some years ago, when my kids were still at home, but it should
have all the info you need.

Regards,
Roy


On Mon, 05 Sep 2005 20:12:21 GMT, "John Emmons" wrote:

I know, 2 offtopic threads started within a week is probably against all
sorts of rules.

But, I have an electrical question and given some of the responses to
electrical questions I've seen before I know that someone here will be able
to answer it.

So, here goes. I have a small, 1:32 scale slot car track upon which I run 4
cars, the cars each pull between 1 and 1.5 amps at about 8-10 volts dc. I
get the dc from a regulated, variable power supply which is normally plugged
into a standard wall circuit.

I want to set up a battery operated power system to enable me to use the
track at events where power is either not available or not practical and I'd
like to avoid the use of a generator if possible.

Specifically, I want to use a 12 volt, deep cycle battery, hook that up to a
power inverter and then hook up the power supply to the inverter to run the
track.

Thanks for the leads. I've actually build several slot car boxes already.
That slotside article has been the start of many a home woodworking project.

I'm in the slot car business, my question was about amperage draw using a
battery.

I appreciate the tips I did recieve. Sorry for those reading impaired few
out there.

John Emmons

"Roy" wrote in message
...
1. DAGS on: "slot car" + home + track
2. This will return some 171,000 hits
3. When you find the one labeled www.slotside.com you're on the right
track
(take a look at their plans for a slot car box while you're there. Great
woodworking project for
your cars)
4. Get on the slot car "web ring" circuit. Many home/club tracks
featured there with many detailed
descriptions of all stages of track building. I've seen some with
detailed instructions on adding
battery power to home tracks. Been some years ago, when my kids were
still at home, but it should
have all the info you need.

Regards,
Roy


On Mon, 05 Sep 2005 20:12:21 GMT, "John Emmons"
wrote:

I know, 2 offtopic threads started within a week is probably against all
sorts of rules.

But, I have an electrical question and given some of the responses to
electrical questions I've seen before I know that someone here will be
able
to answer it.

So, here goes. I have a small, 1:32 scale slot car track upon which I
run 4
cars, the cars each pull between 1 and 1.5 amps at about 8-10 volts dc. I
get the dc from a regulated, variable power supply which is normally
plugged
into a standard wall circuit.

I want to set up a battery operated power system to enable me to use
the
track at events where power is either not available or not practical and
I'd
like to avoid the use of a generator if possible.

Specifically, I want to use a 12 volt, deep cycle battery, hook that up
to a
power inverter and then hook up the power supply to the inverter to run
the
track.