Transformer info needed

[kevtherev]

I need an AC 230v to DC 12v transformer able to supply 10 amps constant.
Would a car battery charger be ok? or should I seek something more specific.
Idealy the price should be less than £50.
I hope someone can help.

[jamesc76]

a good few have used pc power suplly modules ( the type inside tower pc's), think they give plenty of power personaly tho I just have a charger on the go charging the battery whilst everything in van is 12v normally charged back up by morning

[CJH]

a good few have used pc power suplly modules

Yes, I made up a power supply for my garage from a spare PC power supply. A nice thing about them is that they also have +3.3VDC and +5VDC, also at quite high current ratings (as well as -12VDC and -5VDC at much lower currents). Mine is 'only' rated at 8A for the +12VDC, but I'm sure a more recent supply with a higher power rating will have the 10A that you need. I rerouted all the wires into the inside of the casing and drilled banana sockets into the case, and I also conected a cigarette lighter socket onto the +12VDC wiring.

[bigherb]

It depends on what you want to run off it. Older style battery chargers have quite a coarse rectification.

Otherwise something smoother like this.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-Strip-Lig ... 33833ae82e" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Oldiebut goodie]

a good few have used pc power suplly modules

Yes, I made up a power supply for my garage from a spare PC power supply. A nice thing about them is that they also have +3.3VDC and +5VDC, also at quite high current ratings (as well as -12VDC and -5VDC at much lower currents). Mine is 'only' rated at 8A for the +12VDC, but I'm sure a more recent supply with a higher power rating will have the 10A that you need. I rerouted all the wires into the inside of the casing and drilled banana sockets into the case, and I also conected a cigarette lighter socket onto the +12VDC wiring.

Don't you have to put a load onto one of the outputs to get it to power up? I can't remember which one although the +5v rings a bell.
I think I've got a box of 250w Compaq power supplies in the shed, I'll dig one out and see what I can do with it.

[Mocki]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sharman-SPA-8 ... 1929095%26" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kevtherev]

Thanks for the replies
I shall take a look at the links at home.

The trans will be used with a DC power controller .and DC waterpump which pulls max10 amps.
I'm trying to make a normally DC powered set up adaptable to run of mains.

trials with a numax battery charger, it supplied 14v ok. but I'd like something perhaps cheaper... and smaller.

[kevtherev]

It depends on what you want to run off it. Older style battery chargers have quite a coarse rectification.

Otherwise something smoother like this.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-Strip-Lig ... 33833ae82e" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

nice...
the leds driver might just work.

[CJH]

Don't you have to put a load onto one of the outputs to get it to power up? I can't remember which one although the +5v rings a bell.
I think I've got a box of 250w Compaq power supplies in the shed, I'll dig one out and see what I can do with it.

Yes, that sounds familiar. I can't remember for certain I'm afraid - it was a long time ago. My finished item looks a lot like the one in the guide here, so it's possible I followed their instructions, and yes, they have a power resistor in the +5VDC line.