HDS inside power

[perchjerker]

Originally Posted by nicko

As stated by the previous post, I would want a stable supply. A battery with a trickle charger is not a stable power supply. It certainly is not filtered. Battery chargers are not meant to be filtered nor do they have very good voltage stability. They react to load and will vary their amperage based on what they sense. That's not what you want running your expensive screen. The unit I recommended is specifically for running 12DV devices indoors. It's regulated and provides a very exact and clean output. Use it exactly for this and it's way more reliable and safer than running a battery and charger.

N

how clean do you think the power is when its installed in your boat and running?

I would not worry about it, running it off a booster pack that you use to jump your car as was with works great too

[nicko]

Well given the fact that the power company can and does vary voltage from as low as 90 volts to 120+ volts, I'd say running a plain charger off a wall socket is pretty bad. If you watch a UPS voltage curve you'll see what I mean. A regulated supply is pretty safe, just like a battery. Battery's don't spike much at all, they just slowly drain. Only time you see any large spikes is on starting the big motor. That I'm sure looks like a draw and I'd expect a good Battery to only drop a volt or 2.

I'd trust the regulated power supply before the trickle charger.

Just my 2 cents.

[perchjerker]

Originally Posted by nicko

Well given the fact that the power company can and does vary voltage from as low as 90 volts to 120+ volts, I'd say running a plain charger off a wall socket is pretty bad. If you watch a UPS voltage curve you'll see what I mean. A regulated supply is pretty safe, just like a battery. Battery's don't spike much at all, they just slowly drain. Only time you see any large spikes is on starting the big motor. That I'm sure looks like a draw and I'd expect a good Battery to only drop a volt or 2.

I'd trust the regulated power supply before the trickle charger.

Just my 2 cents.

well yes if you put ut that way I would agree. Of course a regulated power supply would be better than a battery charger.

I just dont see how it would hurt your unit. I have been doing it for years and years.

[jhebert]

Originally Posted by nicko

A battery with a trickle charger is not a stable power supply. It certainly is not filtered.

You make me laugh. A battery is about the best filtering element you could ever have. If you are worried about the charging current, just shut off the charger. There is nothing that makes pure DC better than a battery.

[nicko]

Sure, a battery by itself, but what was asked was an alternative to a potentially problematic solution. The cheap unfiltered, non-regulated battery charger is the problem. Why take a chance with a very expensive piece of electronics.

Ill use my regulated power supply, for $60 bucks thanks. Plus using the regulated supply makes it easy to use anywhere your comfortable. A battery on my nice desk near my pc won't cut it.

[rwl]

Don't forget a fuse.

[jhebert]

Originally Posted by nicko

The cheap unfiltered, non-regulated battery charger is the problem.

Yes, a cheap, poorly made, unfiltered, unregulated battery charger is a worthless piece of junk, but that is not what I recommended. I recommended a precision voltage regulated charger.

The advantage to a battery as bench 12-volt DC power source is the ability to supply plenty of current, if needed. If I want to test a 25-watt radio, a 3-A Radio Shack power supply will not be enough.

You can run the HDS chart plotter for several hours without having to charge the battery. When you are finished, connect the charger to the battery and let it recharge. This will eliminate any worries about the charger.

Many boaters bring their boat batteries into the house for the winter--you might as well use them as a bench power source.

[nicko]

Yes, you can use that too. I just think the small regulated source is so much cleaner and more convenient. I can sit at the kitchen table and use it all day long or in my office, or in my nice comfy chair with no worries about spilling acid or lugging a battery around the house. 3 amps is plenty of juice to run an hds. If you need more, they have a model with 15 amps for $20 more.

To each his own. I know my wife usually frowns on me putting a big 12v battery where we eat.

[jhebert]

Originally Posted by nicko

I know my wife usually frowns on me putting a big 12v battery where we eat.

When not out on the boat using it, you should be using your HDS (powered by a AGM battery) in your Man Cave!

[REW]

JH,
My point exactly.
You nailed it.
REW