Quick wiring question...

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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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?
 

Heisenberg

Lifer
Dec 21, 2001
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Assuming it doesn't draw too much current, yes. If it's just a radio scanner, you should be fine I would guess.
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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It's a small scanner that only scans police frequencies, and it's about the size of a radar detector. Lemme snap a pic..
 

Heisenberg

Lifer
Dec 21, 2001
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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..
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.
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Here's what I have

:)
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.

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?
 

Heisenberg

Lifer
Dec 21, 2001
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Originally posted by: Insane3D
Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Here's what I have

:)
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.

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?
A wall wart is one of those rectangular plugs that comes with almost every electronic item to convert the AC into low voltage DC.
 

Shawn

Lifer
Apr 20, 2003
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Originally posted by: Insane3D
Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Here's what I have

:)
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.

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?

I think he means one of those universal ac to dc adaptors that you can get from radio shack.
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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Ahhh..heh. Is there a specific one I should get? I assume they all have different level outputs?
 

Thegonagle

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2000
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Originally posted by: RussianSoldier
you could also just buy a USB emergency services scanner

But why, when he already has one?

It uses at most 0.5 amps, and probably won't impact your system in the least.
 

Heisenberg

Lifer
Dec 21, 2001
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Originally posted by: Insane3D
Ahhh..heh. Is there a specific one I should get? I assume they all have different level outputs?
Yeah, just find one that does at least 500mA at 12 volts and you'll be good.
 

Shawn

Lifer
Apr 20, 2003
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Originally posted by: Insane3D
Ahhh..heh. Is there a specific one I should get? I assume they all have different level outputs?

Just read the box. :p
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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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?

Just read the box. :p

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

;)
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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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?
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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How about this one?

The manual says it runs on 13.8v, 500mA...is 12v, 500mA enough? The only other one I could find was a 13.5v, 500mA, but it was a center negative and the scanner is center positive.
 

vshah

Lifer
Sep 20, 2003
19,003
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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
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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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

I've never seen that, and I have three Antec's here...from older to newer..
 

Insane3D

Elite Member
May 24, 2000
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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?

:)
 

Heisenberg

Lifer
Dec 21, 2001
10,621
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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?

:)
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?