Running a 12V appliance from a 230V mains supply

[rossii]

Hi people,

Here's my dilemma... I have an air compressor that runs at 10A, however it has a 12V cigarette lighter head on the power lead only enabling me to use it in a car. I really need to be able to use this compressor in the home. I have searched for adapters/transformers and the best I can find seem to run 1A appliances. I also looked into powering from my desktop's USB port however these can only support 500mA.

I'm at a loss as to what to do, any ideas would be much appreciated. I'd consider purchasing a new air compressor that runs from the mains if that turns out to be the cheaper alternative?

Thanks in advance,

Ross

 

[Burnerman]

You need a transformer thats capable of producing 10 amps continuous output...thats a pretty tall order and the nearest thing that I can think of is a heavy duty battery charger...fused, of course! These compressors aren't meant for continuous duty - ok for pumping a tyre up and thats about it. Cheers John

 

[rossii]

You need a transformer thats capable of producing 10 amps continuous output...thats a pretty tall order and the nearest thing that I can think of is a heavy duty battery charger...fused, of course! These compressors aren't meant for continuous duty - ok for pumping a tyre up and thats about it. Cheers John

Cheers for the advice, you reckon this'll do the trick?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1-x-New-RAC-H...s_SM?hash=item2303380d34&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

[Burnerman]

It should certainly work for short periods, yes. I'm desperately trying to think what percentage the RMS value against the maximum output but its gone....
I don't think your wee compressor should be run for more than 5 minutes at a time though.

 

[mikeyd]

I'm not sure what an automatic battery charger will think of being connected to something which isn't a battery. Certainly an old fashioned charger which is essentially just a transformer would work but I think the more modern ones sense what they are connected to.

Anyway would this do you? http://www.rcpitstop.co.uk/jp-ultrapower-12v-10a-power-supply-240v-3-pin-131-p.asp

 

[GarethB]

What are you intending using it for?

You can buy mobile 12v power packs, some with built in compressors which may do the job you want, and they are a useful thing to have anyway.

 

[big-all]

battery chargers tend to be 14 volts or slightly more

http://www.mmleisure.co.uk/cgi-bin/sitewise.pl?act=det&p=1386