What do you guys think of these power supplies?
 

Take a gander: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...light=hyperion

I am picking up a 46amp model. I have 2 610i, a 1210i, 1 5i and a 2 amp hextronic to run off it. I figure 46amps should do for the lot...

As you have probably seen on TV Circuit City is closing, if there is one near you go ask them if they have any of the PS from the car audio displays since they are selling displays too.
I got a 13.8V 37.5A cont with 50A peaks for $30 and it work perfectly:intello:

Those car audio PS units are usually linear, which means big, heavy, and inefficient. But if the price is right...

What do the ones in the link look like to you, BG? Decent, crap??? I have no idea about this stuff...

I agree. I've got a big Astron 57A continuous PS sitting at home. It's only about 46lbs and about 14" x 14" x 8".

Can't really say. Those are definitely switching PS units from the few pics I looked at, and they have decently sized components, but that doesn't necessarily mean a good PS. I'd have to hook it up under different loads and see how it performs to tell for sure. Can't see line/load regulation, ripple voltage, temperature, etc from pics. :wink:

Ok, was not sure if you were familiar with server P/S like that. You seem to be more knowledgeable about computers than I (my dog is more knowledgeable than I actually).

Would this pic help any? I am guessing that depending how it is wired it can provide different voltages?

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...imp/mis885.jpg

I dont like to use computer PSs mostly due to that you are starting with a 12v output and it will drop to around 10vs when in use...I think the Hobby Lobby PSs are the best bang for the buck

i would like to know also because my buddy would like to run a duo and a 989 and prolly a another small charger all at once, and i wouldnt mind having one also

I was wondering the same thing. I somewhat read the details of modding a computer PS a while back. Seemed like you had to do something to them to ensure that they would not drop voltage too much under load.

With the 46amp model I must assume that it holds voltage pretty well under load. I do not usually use more than 1 of my 5 chargers at a time, and if i do it is to slow charge single lipo cells, or multiple small packs...

I may give one a try, the price is decent...

I too have an issue with a computer PS being at exactly 12v. Not only does this not give you much voltage leeway before it dips too far shutting off the charger, but the lower voltage will require more current to charge a specific pack than it would at say, 14v.

However, depending on the design on the PS unit, you can usually do "stuff" to boost the voltage a bit. I've seen one of three ways to do this:

1) Load down one of the other (3.3v or 5v) rails. All three supplies (12, 3.3, 5v) are all fed from a single main transformer. So, if one is loaded down, all three voltages usually drop. But, one of those rails contains a feedback circuit (usually a coil) that tries to compensate and boost the voltage back up. Unfortunately, there is no standard to which one that is, so you have to experiment and see which rail needs to be loaded.

2) Sometimes, there is a little adjustment potentiometer inside the PS where you can make fine adjustments. I've been able to squeeze out ~13.8v adjusting this. But, you can't assume that the presence of a pot does this - it might adjust something totally different. So, again, you have to experiment; put a meter on the output and make small adjustments. If the output doesn't change, set it back.

3) Some units have a smaller gauge feedback wire that attaches to the main wire it's monitoring at the very end of the main wire. The purpose of this is to detect a voltage drop along the wire (due to high currents) and boost the output until this sense wire sees the proper voltage. However, you can sometimes "trick" the sense wire with a simple voltage divider circuit or similar so that it sees ~1-2v lower than there actually is, which causes the regulator to boost the output accordingly. I've done this on an Antec TruePower 330w computer PS with very good results.

No matter what, you have to experiment. And doing so can be dangerous since there are hazardous voltages in there. Most switchers rectify 120v AC into 180vDC and then use a high speed switching circuit to get the output you want. May seem complex, but the size, weight, and efficiency are much better because of the higher frequency (instead of the low 50/60Hz).

Ok, so my best bet is to get some really good pics of the PS internals and post them on here...

Regular PC PSUs can be kinda cheesy sometimes when it comes to output regulation. I would ASSUME that a server PSU would have much better regulation, since a server needs to be very reliable when it is run 24/7 and at higher loads than a PC.

Can you find a data sheet for that PSU? It should specify what the output tolerance is.

Another question, I am guessing it does not matter which way a PS sits... I plan to mount the thing to the wall with the fan pointing down to keep the dust out of it...

Nope. Doesn't matter. That's a good idea, actually. :yes: