Triton Jr. charger setup (with pics)

[021411]

Hey guys, I went ahead and purchased a Triton Jr. charger to be my "end all" chargers that I have. It's quite an investment but I have plenty of batteries to justify the purchase.

My question. How in the heck do I power the unit? It has larger alligator clips for 12v DC input. Do I HAVE to use a car battery? I'd hate to buy one just for the charger. Is there any other method(s) to this madness? I want to be able to use it indoors and not have to do it in the garage where the car is parked. :thinking:

Ugh! Headed back to the hobby shop. Forgot the output leads.

 

[BVH]

Re: Triton Jr. charger question (input power)

I use a Pyramid brand 12 amp power supply. PS-14 KX. It outputs 13.8 Volts with 12 Amp continuous and 14 Amp surge capabilities. I think I paid somewhere around $65 to $70 for it plus shipping. Look around on the WEB because I saw them for much more than what I paid.

 

[FlashCrazy]

Re: Triton Jr. charger question (input power)

I use a bench top power supply as well for my Triton, but for field use I use a couple of sealed lead acid (7 AH) batteries in parallel. Actually just one works fine. But...I'd put your money towards a decent power supply.

If you're electronically inclined, you can convert a computer power supply for bench top use. My father-in-law did just that, and uses it for his Triton.

Here's a tutorial: http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply

 

[021411]

Re: Triton Jr. charger question (input power)

I was at Fry's today and saw some bench top power supplies. I think they averaged $30 or so. I might swing by later tonight..
Does the amperage matter on the charger? If my memory serves me well, one unit said "13.x volt output" and amperage within a specific range of "4-6" or something like that. Is this fine?

 

[021411]

Re: Triton Jr. charger question (input power)

I ended up making my own leads connecting it to a cradle via clips. Still need to get the power supply tonight.

 

[FlashCrazy]

Re: Triton Jr. charger question (input power)

I was at Fry's today and saw some bench top power supplies. I think they averaged $30 or so. I might swing by later tonight..
Does the amperage matter on the charger? If my memory serves me well, one unit said "13.x volt output" and amperage within a specific range of "4-6" or something like that. Is this fine?

I'm not sure about the Triton Jr., but I think the instructions for the regular Triton said they recommend a power supply with a 12 amp rating or so....I can't remember for sure. I'd get one that's a least capable of up to 10 amps....not a 5 amp one. The higher rating comes into play when you're charging multiple cells. I have a 15 amp power supply, and use another charger that charges four LiPoly packs at the same time. I've had four 3-cell (11.1V) 2000 mAH LiPoly's charging on it at the same time...each charging at 2000 mA for a total of 8 amps, with no problems from the power supply.

 

[FlashCrazy]

Re: Triton Jr. charger question (input power)

Ok, I found the Triton Jr.'s instruction manual online. It says the power supply should be able to deliver at least 6.5A continously while maintaining 12 volts.

Hope you find a good one without spending too much $$$. Let us know what you find.

 

[021411]

Re: Triton Jr. charger question (input power)

Ok, I found the Triton Jr.'s instruction manual online. It says the power supply should be able to deliver at least 6.5A continously while maintaining 12 volts.

Hope you find a good one without spending too much $$$. Let us know what you find.

Thanks. I should of pulled out the manual myself..DOH! I'll see what they have tonight.

 

[FlashCrazy]

Re: Triton Jr. charger question (input power)

Bahh...manuals...who needs 'em?!?

 

[021411]

Okay, just got back from Fry's with a power supply. I picked up a Samlex 13.8v DC (4-6 amps) regulated power supply for about $30 plus tax.
I hooked everything up. Sloppy but it works.
Using an AW RCR123 to test..

 

[250]

Re: Triton Jr. charger question (input power)

The link that FlashCrazy posted will get you there although it can be done a lot simpler. I bought the origional Triton and heard about using the computer power supplies. You can go fancy like the posted link or go simpler.

I found a junked compter at the curbside garbage pickup and snached it up. Sure I felt like a bum but you cant get any cheaper. Instead of a resistor I used an automotive bulb (brake light I think) I had laying around. A little bit of solder and I had a setup that cost me nothing.

I will eventually get a nicer setup along the line of the posted link but for free this one works just as well.

Good luck.

 

[250]

O.K. nevermind. We were posting at the same time. Nice setup. I will recommend looking up "Anderson Power Poles" to clean up the alligator clip connections. I bought some and now have a nicer connection, safer too, to my ugly power suppy. I can still hook up the alligators to it and use a battery, and I even made a cigar plug to hook it up. Pretty neat prodct.

 

[mattheww50]

You can often buy 120-150 watt 12 volt suppllies (switchers) on eBay for about $25-$30. That is how I power my Triton (not a jr). I turn the voltage on the adjustment up to about 13.5 V, which is more typical of an automotive storage battery. The supplies are generally good for 10-12 amps, and have overcurrent and overvoltage protection.

After that, you buy a line cord to connect the supply to the line voltage, and a heavy duty cigarette lighter socket.
I have a few devices that run on 4-6 amps 12-15 volts, and the 120 watt 12 volt switching supplies work like a charm.

 

[021411]

Here's the final product. I did a simple cleanup job. I wrapped the alligator clips with electrical tape and zip tied them up. It will do for now. I don't feel like spending more on this project. All my charges are supervised (within close proximity ~10ft or so).. I'll keep an eye out on them.
This project all started because of the AW C-cells. My DSD charger was "it". Not anymore!

 

[mudman cj]

Very nice! I think you have made a wise investment. Now if only I could go back and do it all over again...

 

[021411]

I'm loving it so far. The only problem I have is that it times out at 2 hours. If a battery takes longer than 2 hours to charge as in the case of a depleted AW C-cell I have to "reset" it and start another charge cycle when it times out. Good thing is that it has an alarm for when it's done and when it's timed out. This is only for the C-Cell since it's so large. All my other batteries will charge under 2 hours.

 

[cy]

good job! and nice choice.

now follow the link in my sig and build a low cost charging clamp.

get rid of those magnets for charging. added resistance can throw off charging algorithms.

 

[021411]

good job! and nice choice.

now follow the link in my sig and build a low cost charging clamp.

get rid of those magnets for charging. added resistance can throw off charging algorithms.

Oh wow! Very nice cy! I'll try it sometime this week. :thumbsup:

 

[MrMimizu]

I was looking at that exact model at the Samlex website and this switching DS supply and was wondering which one to get. I haven't checked out prices locally yet but i figured the switching one would be more efficient and is lighter for lugging it outside to my concrete porch for charging.
Is there any reason I should get the same one as 021411 instead of the switching one?