[Shop-talk] 12 volt benchtop power supply?

[Jim Franklin]

On Jan 12, 2010, at 7:17 PM, John T. Blair wrote:
>
> Jim,
>
> Do you have any idea of how much current the entire trailer lighting  
> takes?

The 1157s use 3 amps each, times 2, plus 4 169 running lights. 10  
amps? 12?
>
> Would you be willing to live with a 120V power cord plugged into the  
> wall?

Absolutely. That's what I'm looking for.

>
> You'll need a 120 to 12 V transformer.  The 12V side will need to be  
> rated for
> about 1.5 times the total current the trailer needs.  Then a couple  
> of diodes.
> You could get fancy and add some filter caps and you'd be all set.

Well, I don't want to spend more time sourcing/building one than I  
will using it, otherwise I'd rig up a battery & charger. I just find  
it hard to believe I can't walk into a store and buy a 12v power  
source. Surely mechanics use this all the time?

jim