Battery charger as a 12volt power supply?

[catfish500 mark]

I have one of those 12volt iceless coolers.It works great but takes forever to eventually get things cold.I use it in my 18 wheeler.I am wondering, when I get home can I use my battery charger as a power supply? Or would I be better off just buying a 120 volt/12 volt power supply?I have tried the small refrigerators but they rattle alot, dont last any longer than these coolers and no real way of securing them in the case of an accident.I can get about a years use out of these little coolers believe it or not.Thanks

 

[jkwilson]

Most battery chargers aren't very well suited as power supplies unless there is a battery in the circuit. They usually produce fairly noisy power, and they adjust the voltage based on the load.

Check your current requirement. If less than 5A, these http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002BA570/?tag=atomicindus08-20 are nice.

 

[catfish500 mark]

Most battery chargers aren't very well suited as power supplies unless there is a battery in the circuit. They usually produce fairly noisy power, and they adjust the voltage based on the load.

Check your current requirement. If less than 5A, these http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002BA570/?tag=atomicindus08-20 are nice.

Thank you so very much

 

[c4cruiser]

I have bought some power supplies from this company They have a wide variety of power supplies for 12v applications.

 

[larry_g]

Question, Do you leave this in the truck and power it there, or do you want to remove it and have it powered on the bench? If in the truck then get a battery maintainer that will deliver more watts than the cooler draws and just keep it on the batteries of the truck. Or if on the bench then use a dedicated power supply. If getting a power supply make sure that it is rated for continuous use and has the power to run the cooler.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

A good source of power supplies for projects like this is your local Goodwill. Over in the TV area you'll find dozens and dozens of wall wart transformers and cords. Look through there for one that is 12 volts DC and equal to or greater amperage than the cooler. Get a dc plug for it that matches at Radio Shack and you're set.

 

[catfish500 mark]

Thanks for all of the suggestions fellas.