28 replies to this topic

[Casey Scott]

First prototype completed. Only weighs 12.10 ounces. 5" x 5" x 2". Perfect for traveling overseas.

 

[havlicek]

Very nice! What are the specs (min/max voltage, and amperage or current capacity)? Any projected price? It seems from the picture that it has an external transformer, which would change the actual dimensions as well. Is that the case?

 

-john

[CoastalAngler1]

That is too cool, Casey! If you can get the price down you will make lots of sales; Koford and Slick 7 are very proud of their power at $300+...

 

Of course, if you need some testing and feedback from Florida, just send one over.

[SlowBeas]

Only 12 ounce and compact enough to fit in a travel box? A more reasonable price than required by others could make this a major seller!

 

Best of luck with it.

jb

[Cheater]

Perfect for traveling overseas.

Which leads to the question: dual voltage, i.e. 120v and 220v?

[Casey Scott]

It is 12v 10 amp unit. That is the case and it has an external power supply. Price will be in the $200 range.
 

Very nice! What are the specs (min/max voltage, and amperage or current capacity)? Any projected price? It seems from the picture that it has an external transformer, which would change the actual dimensions as well. Is that the case?

[Casey Scott]

Which leads to the question: dual voltage, i.e. 120v and 220v?

It is 120v and 240v.

[MSwiss]

Does the 12.10 oz. quoted include the weight of the external power supply?

[CoastalAngler1]

For the $ savings, the 'external power supply' looks like a laptop charger and doesn't seem to pose that much of a nuisance. Everyone is used to these kinds of cords. Airlines measure bags in 50 lb. increments, just go barefoot or topless if you gotta save bag weight. Charter boats will provide equipment... forget the golf clubs, rent them.  
 
I wonder if the new battery packs that charge phones and devices could power the unit?
 

[SlotStox#53]

Nice bit of kit! Always room for more tools and power supplies.

 

Good luck with it. 

[Casey Scott]

Does the 12.10 oz. quoted include the weight of the external power supply?

No, it does not but you could just throw that in your laptop bag.

[MSwiss]

Some advice.

If you are going to sell it, make it clear what it is or you are going to have some disappointed customers.

Quoting a super-low weight and size for half the unit while having a picture where the other part that is required to make it work is not mentioned and barely visible in the picture is not going to make a lot of people happy.

[Guy Spaulding]

A few potential alternatives here

[Gator Bob]

Posted Today, 02:53 PM

 

A few potential alternatives here

 

 

I'm liking this one.

 

[C. J. Bupgoo]

Caught me "off guard"   with that one, Bob   ...  Honestly, I scrolled down nonchalantly-like...   Saw the picture... I started "crying"  I was laughing so hard. 

[GotToRace]

Bob that supply is for retro cars only, no flexi's allowed.

[Mark Crowley]

A few potential alternatives here

I had fun building a variable power supply off of those alternative.

http://www.slotcarta...ject&highlight=

Mark

[Nate Graham]

With this 30 amp supply retailing for $159 that is still a little high.

 

powerwerx adjustable

[MattD]

I switched from a batter charger to this supply 2 years ago and it works great and has all the amps you need to run 4 hot 60's motors. It is about 7 wide, 8 deep and 2 inch high.

http://www.ebay.com/...=item25a7911fda

[Nate Graham]

Yes, but - ideally - I would want to be able to drop down to about 3 volts for motor breaking, etc.

[John Miller]

The powerwerx is only adjustable from 5-16 volts.

[PCH Parts Express]

The Powerwerx might be a good way to go if you hook up one unit per lane. Then you have each lane with adjustable power for only about 1272.00 plus labor and wire.  

[Nate Graham]

Casey, this looks like a system I built recently. The idea is an excellent one. It sounds like you are aiming for a bench supply that is small and portable more than a track supply?

 

since you show using it for motor testing, how much voltage drop across the variable regulator do you have?  

Looks like you are using a tabletop supply that gives 12v At 10 amps, then your circuit drops this down and you display both V and A on something akin to the Allelectronics digital meter system.

 

This generates a significant amount of heat.  Have you had a chance to give it a prolonged test with a static load? Some of the standard recommended circuits will shut down well below their listed specs when used for our purposes. Try 3 volts at 1 amp, 1.5 amp, 2 amps then 3 amps for 30 minutes and see how your system holds up.

[Nate Graham]

The Powerwerx might be a good way to go if you hook up one unit per lane. Then you have each lane with adjustable power for only about 1272.00 plus labor and wire.  

interesting concept for a track owner. For comparison, how much does a track setup cost done the current "standard " way?  

[Casey Scott]

Casey, this looks like a system I built recently. The idea is an excellent one. It sounds like you are aiming for a bench supply that is small and portable more than a track supply?

 

since you show using it for motor testing, how much voltage drop across the variable regulator do you have?  

Looks like you are using a tabletop supply that gives 12v At 10 amps, then your circuit drops this down and you display both V and A on something akin to the Allelectronics digital meter system.

 

This generates a significant amount of heat.  Have you had a chance to give it a prolonged test with a static load? Some of the standard recommended circuits will shut down well below their listed specs when used for our purposes. Try 3 volts at 1 amp, 1.5 amp, 2 amps then 3 amps for 30 minutes and see how your system holds up.

I am using a laptop power supply to power it. 12V at 10A is correct. I did build this with weight and portability in mind. I'm going to the world this year in Prague and weight is always a challenge when traveling to race, especially overseas. The one pictured above was sent to California for testing. It has broken in motors for up to an hour without any issues so far. It has also broken in numerous pairs of tires from soft to hard retro tires. No issues have arose so far to my knowledge. I have parts to build some more but i am out of the country for work at the moment so i will be building another one to test for myself.