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Quick wiring question...

I

Insane3D

Elite Member
As the summary says, I have a portable scanner that I no longer use in my car, and I was curious if I could simply wire it to an ATX PSU's 12V lead?
 
It's a small scanner that only scans police frequencies, and it's about the size of a radar detector. Lemme snap a pic..
 
Originally posted by: Insane3D
It's a small scanner that only scans police frequencies, and it's about the size of a radar detector. Lemme snap a pic..
Click to expand...
Yeah, you'll be fine then. I power my Icom HT on 1/2 watt with an old AT supply and it works. A simple scanner doesn't draw that much current - way less than an actual radio.
 
Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Here's what I have

🙂
Click to expand...
Looks like it only draws 500mA. I'm pretty sure they make wall warts that'll do 500mA, so you could use one of those if you didn't want to mess with a whole ATX supply.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but what are "wall warts"? I was just going to make a new lead for it that terminated in a female ATX end so I could plug it right into one of my PC's. Is there an easier way?
 
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Here's what I have

🙂
Click to expand...
Looks like it only draws 500mA. I'm pretty sure they make wall warts that'll do 500mA, so you could use one of those if you didn't want to mess with a whole ATX supply.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but what are "wall warts"? I was just going to make a new lead for it that terminated in a female ATX end so I could plug it right into one of my PC's. Is there an easier way?
Click to expand...
A wall wart is one of those rectangular plugs that comes with almost every electronic item to convert the AC into low voltage DC.
 
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Here's what I have

🙂
Click to expand...
Looks like it only draws 500mA. I'm pretty sure they make wall warts that'll do 500mA, so you could use one of those if you didn't want to mess with a whole ATX supply.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but what are "wall warts"? I was just going to make a new lead for it that terminated in a female ATX end so I could plug it right into one of my PC's. Is there an easier way?
Click to expand...

I think he means one of those universal ac to dc adaptors that you can get from radio shack.
 
Originally posted by: RussianSoldier
you could also just buy a USB emergency services scanner
Click to expand...

But why, when he already has one?

It uses at most 0.5 amps, and probably won't impact your system in the least.
 
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Ahhh..heh. Is there a specific one I should get? I assume they all have different level outputs?
Click to expand...
Yeah, just find one that does at least 500mA at 12 volts and you'll be good.
 
Originally posted by: iloveme2
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Ahhh..heh. Is there a specific one I should get? I assume they all have different level outputs?
Click to expand...

Just read the box. 😛
Click to expand...

Woah...woah....woah! I have to read?!? No one said anything about reading before I thought of this...😛

😉
 
Ok, I just checked the "wall wart" I had for my battery charger, and it's output is perfect...13.5V, 500mA, but the connector on the end is too wide...🙁 I should be able to pick one up that fits @ Radio Shack though?
 
if you have an antec power supply, check the back, some can work with a little adapter that ends in a 12v cigarette lighter plug 🙂

-Vivan
 
Originally posted by: vshah
if you have an antec power supply, check the back, some can work with a little adapter that ends in a 12v cigarette lighter plug 🙂

-Vivan
Click to expand...

I've never seen that, and I have three Antec's here...from older to newer..
 
Thanks...I wish I could just rewire the one I have here for my battery charger (13.8v, 500mA), but I have no idea which wire is postive and which is negative. I'll just pick that one up..thanks..

I need to pick up some large HS tubing anyhow for my monster battery cable project...what's a good HS tubing size for 1/0ga wire?

🙂
 
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Thanks...I wish I could just rewire the one I have here for my battery charger (13.8v, 500mA), but I have no idea which wire is postive and which is negative. I'll just pick that one up..thanks..

I need to pick up some large HS tubing anyhow for my monster battery cable project...what's a good HS tubing size for 1/0ga wire?

🙂
Click to expand...
If you have access to a DMM, you could tell in about 5 seconds which wire is which.

As for the tubing, I dunno. I'd just find a size that works. Why are you using Monster cable?
 
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