[Graham]

Hey Chris... appreciate your input..

Will be doing a little checking around this week.

Graham

[Tomahawk]

I got to thinking after I posted the previous message.

When I was first buying equipment I thought I really needed the power supply.
Now after flying for the summer I have found that I use my 51ah AGM field battery more.

Let me explain.
When I go flying, my batteries are charged up and ready to go with only peaking up my flight batteries off the field battery. When I am finished I go home and use the field battery to recharge all my batteries because I figure I have to charge the field battery anyway. I then use my auto charger and recharge the field battery.
I find I am only using the powersupply to format any new batteries that I purchase. I could probably use my field battery for this also.
To me the powersupply is more of a luxury item while the field battery is a necessary item. To me it would be more wise to invest into a good deep cycle field battery unless you get a real good deal on a powersupply.

(Now you are going to tell me you are flying all Lipo, which take a long time to charge and a field battery is not needed)

Chris

[Graham]

Hi Chris..

Yes I will be using Lipo batteries.. that is primarily why I bought the good charger... transitioning from glow to electric.

Thanks Again

Graham

PS.. Deep cycle battery is on the "to do" list.

[Wayne MIller]

Hi,

What I use is the Canadian Tire Motormaster "ELIMINATOR" supply found in the automotive department. It is designed to assist in starting when the car battery is low and is regularly in their sales flyer. I use it as a power source for my model chargers and for my field box when at the field. The more expensive ones also have an AC outlet (too heavy for me).

The "ELIMINATOR" is a portable unit, has a cigarette lighter port (or power port as some like to call it) and has its own built in charger. It also comes in different capacities and so the price varies.

I can charge model batteries directly from the "ELIMINATOR" when it is charged or while charging.

Its cheap, portable and can be used anywhere and is very convenient as a 12V power source.

Hope this helps.

Fly4Fun,

Wayne Miller

[Tomahawk]

Hi Graham

Good luck in your search.

Hi Wayne

These units were just being released on the market when I finished buying all the things I needed. I have seen other people post that they work very well. What is the size of battery in the unit?

Chris

[Tomahawk]

I was over on the e-zone and someone posted about these Pyramid powersupplies at Forest City Surplus in London.

Follow the link.
http://www.fcsurplus.ca/shopping/sho...Power+Supplies

Chris

[Wayne MIller]

Hi Chris,

I've never taken mine apart, but I think they rate them in cranking amps, not battery capacity - mine is the cheaper one and has 400A on the outside of the case.

What I did was put a cigarette lighter plug on my field box and charger, and which ever one I want to use, I just plug it into my ELIMINATOR. I charge 3 cell 2100 LiPo's, 8 cell 3000mah NiMh, flight packs and tx with no problems - the output is very clean. I use a Hobbico MKII charger.

From my field box, I run my engine starter, glow plug driver, and fuel pump when flying glow. I've never run it down at the field.

The unit will charge directly from your cigarette lighter socket in your car, or from a built in AC charger. What I like about it, is that at home it is very portable and I can charge my LiPo's away from anything flammable.

You may want to keep an eye on your Canadian Tire Flyers or drop by one of their stores to get more info. Sorry I don't have more information.

Hope this helps.

Fly4Fun,

Wayne Miller

Edited: To add I use a Hobbico MKII charger

[Tomahawk]

I've never taken mine apart,

Ooooo. I wouldn't want you to take it apart. I though maybe the ah of battery maybe printed on the back of the unit or on the shipping box.

thanks

Chris

[4*60]

I have a Costco version of the "Eliminator"/ It
s 14ah which is adequate for several sessions at the field between charges. Princess Auto has that type of jumpstarter on sale right now for 34.99. They say it's 15 amp (ah??)

[Tomahawk]

They say it's 15 amp (ah??)

Hi 4*60

I assume by that statement you are wondering what ah is. No it is not a spelling mistake. I do try to use the spellcheck. :P
It is the short form for amp hour (ah). It is the measurement of capacity of a battery. Defined in how many continuous amps a battery can provide for 1 hour.
Therefore the 51ah AGM battery I have can provide 51amps for 1 hour. 25.5amps for 2 hours. 17amps for 3 hours. etc.
Not all batteries have this measurement labeled. Sometimes they use a reserved capacity number. To convert this number to AH just multiply by 0.6. The ah number is more useful to use.
Don't ask me about cold cranking amps because I am not sure what that means.

Chris