B6 Charger - 12v 5a power supply replacement

[strixal]

Hi all,

My power supply for B6 charger just crapped out on me. I can't seem to find an electronics store in Canada that carries it. It's the 12v 5a power supply. The one's at "The Source" aren't the same amp, significantly lower. I've ordered correct adapter from China that won't arrive until at least for a month. In the meantime, so I don't have much downtime, does anyone know where I can get one in Winnipeg or even in Canada?

Thanks,

[cetane]

I don't own one, but have read about those chargers, and do remember they would accept input voltage up to 18vdc. How about using an old laptop charger/power supply? Some of them are 4-5 amp...

Or you can source a 120 to 12 vac 100va transformer (or a 240/24 one and connect it to 120) and buy a bridge recetifier from an electronics parts place. It would be bulkier but very durable.

[strixal]

Originally Posted by cetane

I don't own one, but have read about those chargers, and do remember they would accept input voltage up to 18vdc. How about using an old laptop charger/power supply? Some of them are 4-5 amp...

Or you can source a 120 to 12 vac 100va transformer (or a 240/24 one and connect it to 120) and buy a bridge recetifier from an electronics parts place. It would be bulkier but very durable.

I actually tried a laptop power charger, the charger booted up but wouldn't charge because it wasn't the right amp... :P that last solution might be a little too over my head as I'm not very tech savvy...

[Kos-Mos]

You need a 90W+ (ideally 120W) laptop power supply that can be set between 15-17.5v.
Anything above might damage the charger.
Any lower-power rating will cause the charger to stop/bug when the charge starts.

You can also hook it to a modified ATX power supply (standard Computer PSU since 1998).
To do so, you need to wire your charger on the BLACK and YELLOW wires, and jump (with a paper clip or twist if you don't mind cutting the wires) the GREEN and BLACK wires from the 20/24pins connector.

For long term operation, it is best to add a 10W 10ohm ceramic resistor bolted to the metal case and wired between the RED and BLACK wires. This will help with keeping a more stable 12V supply (because of the way the ATX PSU work). Careful as the resistor might become hot.

A cheap/old 350W is plenty enough for 10+ Amps.

What are the exact specs of your laptop adapter? For example, if it states 18v 3.4A, as long as you keep the charge rate under 3A it should work.

[strixal]

Originally Posted by Kos-Mos

You need a 90W+ (ideally 120W) laptop power supply that can be set between 15-17.5v.
Anything above might damage the charger.
Any lower-power rating will cause the charger to stop/bug when the charge starts.

You can also hook it to a modified ATX power supply (standard Computer PSU since 1998).
To do so, you need to wire your charger on the BLACK and YELLOW wires, and jump (with a paper clip or twist if you don't mind cutting the wires) the GREEN and BLACK wires from the 20/24pins connector.

For long term operation, it is best to add a 10W 10ohm ceramic resistor bolted to the metal case and wired between the RED and BLACK wires. This will help with keeping a more stable 12V supply (because of the way the ATX PSU work). Careful as the resistor might become hot.

A cheap/old 350W is plenty enough for 10+ Amps.

What are the exact specs of your laptop adapter? For example, if it states 18v 3.4A, as long as you keep the charge rate under 3A it should work.

I can't recall the exact specs of that laptop charger (not home right now but will check when I get home).

I did find another laptop charger at work and it is 18.5v 3.5A... I read that it should work... i guess I'll find out once I get home.

Also the B6 manual states that it can take 11~18V and max 5A... But I also looked up that there are some 18.5v 3.5A power supplies that work for the B6... so really it should work. Crossing my fingers.

[Kos-Mos]

you can hook it to a 18v 50A psu... it only will charge batteries at 5A max.

Voltage is forced, Current is drawn. You can't force more amps than what the device uses, so it's safe to plug anything on a high current source (If it's a charger, too high current might cause a spark on the connection like my charger, but it's harmless).

[strixal]

darn, so i tried the 18.5v and it didn't work... sparks came out the plug and it gave me an error saying incorrect voltage... oh well, at least tried. i guess i will have to wait until replacement comes.