Method for testing electrical components?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Oxford CT
Method for testing electrical components?
I'm preparing to put the car away for the winter and that means it's almost time to start on all of the winter projects that I have planned. The list is long and a portion of it includes a lot of items that require testing individual components on the bench. i.e. - the radio antenna, sport seat lumbar pumps, etc.
My question - what does everyone use to power these things for bench testing? It's been a little while since I've had a project car and back in the day I just used to use a battery charger with home made leads. Wondering if there are any other options out there for doing this?
Mike
My question - what does everyone use to power these things for bench testing? It's been a little while since I've had a project car and back in the day I just used to use a battery charger with home made leads. Wondering if there are any other options out there for doing this?
Mike
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Battery chargers don't put out pure d.c. voltage, it is full wave rectified a.c. and essentially is really bumpy d.c. . Entertainment electronics or devices with semiconductors in them don't like bumpy d.c. . You can buy regulated d.c. power supplies that put out adjustable voltage pure d.c., no bumps or battery eliminator power supplies that have a fixed output voltage, like 13.8 volts which will do everything you want to do but you have to select a power supply that can supply the current you expect to need.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 162
Likes: 2
From: Tampa, Florida
If your going to take the battery out of your car during storage you could use it for short term testing, and then hook it up to your charger to top the battery back up to full charge.
The plug in adjustable power supply is the ideal solution though as you could supply 12 volts, 5 volts, etc. with the turn of a ****.
The plug in adjustable power supply is the ideal solution though as you could supply 12 volts, 5 volts, etc. with the turn of a ****.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 120
From: AZ
I almost always use a DVOM (digital volt-ohm meter) first, checking continuity, etc.. They don't load the electronic components which can cause damage, like the 'old' VOMs.
I have a regulated PS but use a battery for the more current hungry tests.
I have a regulated PS but use a battery for the more current hungry tests.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Oxford CT
Battery chargers don't put out pure d.c. voltage, it is full wave rectified a.c. and essentially is really bumpy d.c. . Entertainment electronics or devices with semiconductors in them don't like bumpy d.c. . You can buy regulated d.c. power supplies that put out adjustable voltage pure d.c., no bumps or battery eliminator power supplies that have a fixed output voltage, like 13.8 volts which will do everything you want to do but you have to select a power supply that can supply the current you expect to need.
Tekpower DC Variable Power Supply, 1.5-15 V @ 2A, HY152A
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
You could use an older (pre atx) computer power supply to obtain 12vdc and 5vdc at decent amounts of current. The apple II series of computers had nice beefy supplies also. Check you thrift stores and flea markets. Probably find something for a couple of bucks.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 1
From: Tucson Arizona
Use a battery, for example, the one from the car or an inexpensive motorcyle or lawn equipment battery. This gives a smooth 12 VDC with basically unlimited current. The unlimited current can get you in trouble if you have a short (the principles of welding and resistance heating). To avoid that type of problem I'd make a test pigtail with a fuse in line. Choose a fuse value appropriate to the equipment you are testing (probably 10 to 15 amps).
I would not use a computer power supply because of their loading requirements (they are switching designs that require loading for good regulation), especially on the unused outputs, e.g. the -5 and -15 VDC lines (By the way, Apple II power supplies are not that beefy).
Steve
I would not use a computer power supply because of their loading requirements (they are switching designs that require loading for good regulation), especially on the unused outputs, e.g. the -5 and -15 VDC lines (By the way, Apple II power supplies are not that beefy).
Steve
