Which power adapter?

LaughingBeagles (Peter) · #1 08-02-2018, 08:30 AM

Hello everyone,

I am in the process of putting together a cable management plan so as to not have seven or eight cables dangling from my gear.

So far, I have bought the smaller length USB to go to my hub (still need to work out the least expensive way of attaching to my scope) and an 8 Position Power Distribution Block for 15/30/45A Powerpole Connectors (the Powerwerks one).

Now to my question: I have the battery squared away for when I am away from home but would like to use a 240volt to 12volt Adapter while at home. Do I make sure the adapter amps are sufficient to drive the gear (that is, do I add up the amps for each piece of gear and get an adapter that totals that amount (for example 40amps)) or do I get an adapter the amps of which are the same as the piece of gear with the most draw (for example 5amps).

Any help would be thankfully received

Pete

AndrewJ · #2 08-02-2018, 08:49 AM

Gday Peter
Amps add up in parallel so if you have 5 items each of 4 amps, you need a 20amp supply.
That said, you can always get an even bigger supply if you want, as Amps are like a well trained dog, they only come when called:-)

Andrew

LaughingBeagles (Peter) · #3 09-02-2018, 08:57 AM

Thanks Andrew, great advice mate.

Imme (Jon) · #4 09-02-2018, 02:21 PM

I'm no specialist, more a hack who has a basic understanding and experience in electronics.....however.....

Electrical noise sometimes is an issue if you have certain electrical appliances all running from the same adapter depending on how things are grounded.

I've heard stories about certain camera/mount configurations that when powered from a single circuit (single adapter) causes strange lines/static in final images.

What I have done is isolate camera control and power from all other electrical sources just to ensure it is 'clean'.

Icearcher (Chris) · #5 24-02-2018, 02:46 PM

Hi Peter

You would take the total of all the amps added together.

Also keep in mind the voltages that the bits are running at and the different supply voltages, for example, if you have 40amps @ 12volts, this is the same as 2amsp @ 240volts.