How To Use A PC Power Supply

[john66]

This is from a Youtube channel I subscribe to. You may have heard people talk about using a PC Power supply to run chargers but unsure how to go about it, like myself.

Heres a relatively idiot proof video on how to go about it.....



Enjoy, John

[afcub]

I am going to give this a shot--have an extra power supply lying around...

Thanks for the info

[iflyforfun]

Hi Guys, thats a nice video and very helpfull but much important info was missing. Yes, you can do what he shows and it will work but it may be very limited depending on the Lipo's you wnat to charge and the charger you have. Most chargers have an input range like 10V to 18V for example. Your charger will only produce at its maximum capacity when fed with the 18V. The difference can be dramatic in charge times and charging capabilities. Before you go converting a pc power supply I highly recomend you read this:

sites.google.com/site/tjinguytech/charging-how-tos

In the past few months I have studied in depth and also converted a few power supplies. My last project was using 2 Dell server power supplies connected in series to provide 24 volts and the capability to charge multiple packs in Parrellel.

Happy Reading
Ifly

[afcub]

Holy Info Overload Batman!

Been reading the link--yeah, need to think about this a bit more. I have an old 750W PSU laying around begging to be used for something--but IFly is right, there is more to this than the original video allowed. Resistors, etc.

Thanks for the info fly.

[davidr8]

I think I'll resurrect to thread.

I'm new to planes but raced cars years back. When I raced cars I had a dual voltage charger, now I have e-Flite DC only charger and am waiting for my Turnigy 6A charger to arrive. I was looking for an inexpensive way to have 12V power on my workshop I tried converting a computer power supply to a bench supply.

I looked at the top vids and article on how to do this and came up empty. I could get 12V but it pulsed rapidly on and off. So my charger didn't like it.

My power supply looks nothing like those in the articles and videos. Those units tend to be larger, in silver coloured cases whereas mine, an OCX 500sxs is quite small, about 6" x 6" x 4".


All this to say that I've given up trying to make this one work and am going to connect my charger(s) to a decent size 12v battery and charge that with my 3-stage 110v charger. That way I can also take the 12v battery to the field.

However, im interested in how other people approach this problem.

[flydiver]

Power supplies are not all the same. Dell, made some that deliberately changed the color of the wires and positions (a-holes...). There's old AT style, and newer ATX style, and some oddballs.


Get a relatively stock ATX, cheap at a PC recycle place or free from an old dead desktop. You'll NEED an appropriate resistor, plus a decent video or pictorial set of instructions. Some are just crap. Search until you can find something you can actualy follow and understand.

If it is simply too much of a trial, get an appropriate laptop PS from HK or the like. You can also get a better commercial one for more $$.
People buy the 4-button charger in AC/DC form because they can't deal with it. That's OK but it's simply the same charger with a cheap $5-10 laptop PS built in (you are paying $20-30 for) with no cooling. They can tend to crap out after awhile. They you either get a real PS, battery, or junk it.

Everyone here should be aware that the stock Cub charger is not quite but almost as low end a charger as you can get. They give you no information at all other than your battery is 'done', and you don't even know for sure if that is accurate.

I've said it many many times, put your upgrade $$ into a decent charger and TX. Most people buy more planes because that's the 'cool' part of the sport. But a good hanger hinges on a decent TX and good battery care.

[davidr8]

Thanks Flydiver, I have a Turnigy 6A charger on its way to me. When I was in the RC car world I had a full-on, peak detection, cell balancing charger for Ni-Cad's so definitely agree with you on the need for a good charger (and good batteries for that matter).

It's interesting that you mention using a laptop PS (or wall wart as I've discovered they are also called). I have read varying opinions on their use as charger supplies.

[hghost]

I saw this thread and figured here is a place to ask this question

I recently bought a plane that came with a battery and an adapter for the battery one end has the battery charging ( white with pins) connector and the other end is a USB connector ( standard USB end )

Now I have never used any PC to charge a Battery, so I ask why would one do that ?

Do people simply hook their Lipo batteries to a PC OR is it as above a Power supply that has a USB connector on it separate from the actual PC ?

Just curious as I have never seen this adapter style before

Personally I do not think i would ever plug a Lipo up to my PC to charge or an old PC Power supply...just saying .

[flydiver]

Single cell lipo? Some small planes do this. USB charging for phones, tablets, etc is quite common and they all have a single cell lipo inside, only size is different.
USB tend to put out about 0.5A at 5v. You can also get wall adapters and cigarette lighter that do the same thing.

The device has to have some kind of 'smarts' to terminate the charge appropriately. This is either in the device being charged itself (cell phone) or can be in the adapter. Since a RC battery has no such circuitry it should be in the adapter. USB is simply supplying power.

Note-Some 18650 lithium ion batteries (can battery about the size of AA) can have a tiny circuit hiding under the shrink wrap that limits charge and discharge. It is a safety mechanism and is NOT designed to replace an appropriate charger. A few (cheap) helis, maybe some others use these batteries.

[hghost]

Jan 8, 2014 19:30:15 GMT 1 flydiver said:

Single cell lipo? Some small planes do this. USB charging for phones, tablets, etc is quite common and they all have a single cell lipo inside, only size is different.
USB tend to put out about 0.5A at 5v. You can also get wall adapters and cigarette lighter that do the same thing.

The device has to have some kind of 'smarts' to terminate the charge appropriately. This is either in the device being charged itself (cell phone) or can be in the adapter. Since a RC battery has no such circuitry it should be in the adapter. USB is simply supplying power.

Note-Some 18650 lithium ion batteries (can battery about the size of AA) can have a tiny circuit hiding under the shrink wrap that limits charge and discharge. It is a safety mechanism and is NOT designed to replace an appropriate charger. A few (cheap) helis, maybe some others use these batteries.

2S 7.4V 500mAh LiPoly Battery and it is a small plane , 800 mm Super Cub

hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__42985__Super_Cub_EPO_Brushless_2_4ghz_Mode_2_RTF_.html

This one looked like the HZ Super Cub and is 4 channel has ailerons. Have not put it together yet. Can't wait to do so.
But it came with that little adapter and I just never saw one like that before, actually did not know they made on with a USB end to be honest.

I have seen the Cigarette Lighter adapters ,Regular 12V battery adapters , I just never saw one with a USB for a Lipo battery before.

There is allot of new technology I have never seen and allot I know nothing about.

[flydiver]

It's possible to 'up volt' in the circuitry. That's how the 12v powered chargers can charge 4S (16.8v). I suspect that's what they are doing. No information on the link that helps.

[coupe1942]

Oct 4, 2013 4:00:16 GMT 1 flydiver said:

Power supplies are not all the same. Dell, made some that deliberately changed the color of the wires and positions (a-holes...). There's old AT style, and newer ATX style, and some oddballs.


Get a relatively stock ATX, cheap at a PC recycle place or free from an old dead desktop. You'll NEED an appropriate resistor, plus a decent video or pictorial set of instructions. Some are just crap. Search until you can find something you can actualy follow and understand.

If it is simply too much of a trial, get an appropriate laptop PS from HK or the like. You can also get a better commercial one for more $$.
People buy the 4-button charger in AC/DC form because they can't deal with it. That's OK but it's simply the same charger with a cheap $5-10 laptop PS built in (you are paying $20-30 for) with no cooling. They can tend to crap out after awhile. They you either get a real PS, battery, or junk it.

Everyone here should be aware that the stock Cub charger is not quite but almost as low end a charger as you can get. They give you no information at all other than your battery is 'done', and you don't even know for sure if that is accurate.

I've said it many many times, put your upgrade $$ into a decent charger and TX. Most people buy more planes because that's the 'cool' part of the sport. But a good hanger hinges on a decent TX and good battery care.


Not trying to hijack this thread in the least, but when I, as a newbie, go to HZ and search through their chargers, I have not a clue as to which is actually a good one vs bottom end one. There are many different brands and models, so the choice is there. I am pretty sure that just because the price is more on one model, that does not necessarily mean that the quality is any better. So, my question is, what is a good, dependable and yet reasonably priced charger to consider with HZ? I'd like to order one, as my local hobby store guys are not great at really knowing what they sell. However, I don't want to waste my money in picking out one that is really no better than the stock little charger that comes with the SC.  Thanks for any advise.

[flydiver]

IMO, none. I wouldn't buy a charger from HZ. They are either low end, or overpriced for chargers you can get elsewhere cheaper.
Take this one for example: secure.hobbyzone.com/catalog/catalog_chargerslipo/TNG01321.html $90
The EXACT same charger can be bought here for $56: www.all-battery.com/tenergytb6b-charger-combo-90263.aspx
In BOTH cases you still need a power supply. Of course the HZ power supplies are far more expensive and often exactly the same as you can get from other sources.
This is similar to HZ batteries, not so hot but a high price.

ALL those 4-button 50 watt chargers are THE SAME, except for component quality. They are ALL clones of one another. The programming is fine for some people and makes other people crazy. If you think programming a 6-ch TX is tough, you may not want to go there.

Heads Up RC has a decent 4-button charger for a decent price, fast cheap shipping and customer support. You can't get that from HK.
Buy this one if you don't want to deal with the power supply (read the problem with built in PS in my post above: iMax B6AC Dual Power Balance Charger
or this one and the PS he suggests: iMax B6 Li-Po, Li-Fe, & NiMh Digital Charger
Links on this page - www.headsuphobby.com/Battery-Chargers_c324.htm
See NOTE below about fakes.

You want to be really cheap, get one of the original clones from HK and the PS suggested.
www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__7028__Turnigy_Accucel_6_50W_6A_Balancer_Charger_w_accessories.html?strSearch=accu
This is the one I have and been using for several years. The fan is a weak spot, tiny and the lubrication needs to be replenished occasionally, which isn't too hard.

If you are seriously programming challenged, get this one:
www.revolectrix.com/m4_description_tab.htm
You'll need a PS and the appropriate connector board for your batteries.
One of the easiest and safest chargers available. I have 2 of the earlier Lipo-only models.

NOTE - DO NOT BUY AN IMAX B6 FROM ANYWHERE, (esp. eBay) unless you KNOW it's not a fake.
They are cheap, but they often have serious problems. This sport is full of people looking for bargains but this is not one of them.

[coupe1942]

Thanks for the info, as that was what I needed. I greatly appreciate the help.

[hghost]

coupe1942- I own this one www.nitroplanes.com/thunder-ac6-charger-power.html

It works great so far so good, I did purchase an adapter Mega Charge 14 in 1 , it has 14 different connectors that covers most every battery end you would need.
Amazon has it here-http://www.amazon.com/Mega-Charge-14-in-1-Charging-Adapter/dp/B0045UXMBK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389402138&sr=8-1&keywords=mega+charge+14+in+1+adapter

Here is a You tube video about this charger- www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQIancXVHV8

Now i would in no way say do as I did , Fly has always been my mentor on battery and charger info. I always ask and I get great info from him.

I bought this one when i first started last year buying Lipo's. A battery btw I was in fear of and tried to stay away from. But Thanks to Fly and others on this forum, for all their help and info, I have come to respect the battery but not in fear of them anymore.
I am still learning and have allot to learn, but so far so good.

This charger is cheap priced, but it works Great, and is not cheap made by no means. same goes for that 14 in 1 adapter, cheap price but great product.

Just thought i would show you what I use, and another choice in case you are researching more.