I use an old car starter battery and an auto 12V battery charger. The battery acts as a buffer/filter for the half-wave rectified DC output of the charger. Seems to work fine with my Thunder Power chargers. After a recharge session I leave the charger connected until the car battery is back to the float current level. Lead-acid batteries like to be stored at full charge.

Another option is to use a power supply intended for the RC car racers. Those can be found at Tower Hobbies.

A third source is the ham radio stores such as Ham Radio Outlet. Some of those have high quality DC outputs. I use an Astron 35 Amp for my ham radio gear and it is a very nice supply, but not the cheapest. An Astron 7Amp supply sells at HRO for $70, which may be cheaper than the RC car supplies. These are mostly 120VAC input power (std wall plug).


John W

You can try MCM Electronics

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/

and search for "Tenma power supply", you'll get a number of hits.  I bought one of these 13.8V, 25A versions:

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/72-8115



but there are certainly other, less expensive power supplies available there.

This one is a good deal for a lot of Watts.  You want to be careful that you get a PS that can put out the Wattage that you need.  Also, the Max Watts listed for a PS reflects what the PS can put out.  The Watts that your charger screen displays will be less than what the PS actually has to deliver by a bit.  SO you don't want to push your PS to the very limit based on what your charger is telling you!  Steve

http://epbuddy.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13

Radio Shack has a DC power supply that is 13.8V, 15A,  Model 22-508 about $85.

http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2818344

Best,              DennisT

Kim Doherty also has an article about converting a PC power supply for our use on his site.

http://www.flystunt.com/ARTICLES/12v%20DC%20Power%20Supply.htm

TTFN
John.

I have a question about power supplies. I know they are rated in watts such as 120,200,400,500.
But what I wish to know is what is the defining. is it 120v X 1amp =120 watts or 12 volts times 10 amps? that they go from. Or are all combinations valid ?