Voltage question

gmc_3

I have a battery pack and charger for a remote controlled car from the USA.

The charger is marked input 120v output 9.6v (to the abttery)

What do I need to charge the battery in the UK? and where do i get it?

Thanks

G

Paul_Varjak

You need to replace your existing battery charger with one that is 240v input and 9.6v output. Check the recharge times for the new unit.

Try: Maplin Electronics

T4i

The ones with varible outputs from Argos will do it.

Set it to 9V. 12V might make it go faster , and reduce the battery life

tr3mor

if the charger has no earth wire just plug it into a 110v shaver socket in the bathroom.

T4i

tr3mor wrote:

just plug it into a 110v shaver socket in the bathroom.

Are those still around? gosh.

Paul_Varjak

T4i wrote:

The ones with varible outputs from Argos will do it.

Set it to 9V. 12V might make it go faster , and reduce the battery life

Absolutely not! Those are unregulated supplies. You need a battery charger specific to the battery pack (be that NiCad NiMH etc).

Paul_Varjak

tr3mor wrote:

if the charger has no earth wire just plug it into a 110v shaver socket in the bathroom.

Or buy one of these:

https://www.maplin.co.uk/Free_UK_Delivery/45W_UK_to_USA_Voltage_Convertor_19413.htm

bbb_uk

Paul_Varjak wrote:

Absolutely not! Those are unregulated supplies. You need a battery charger specific to the battery pack (be that NiCad NiMH etc).

I agree. It's not just the voltage that you need to match it's the charge rate and this is measured in mA (milliamps an hour). Using a unregulated adapter that say has a higher mA than that of the original charger could cause the battery to become too hot and may therefore cause a fire, etc.

This may be ok if you plan on keeping an eye on it and ensuring it doesn't get too hot and also using an RCD adapter just in case (unless your mains consumer unit has an RCD built-in) but otherwise I'd stay away from unregulated adapters/chargers.

T4i

bah. As long as it doesnt need loads of amps all the '12v adaptors will do the trick' I've been running my motorola modem off a 9v kids car racing adaptor. The modem should run off a 12V / 1.25A.

Nothing was mentioned about NiCad NiMH batteries.

These are ideal for RC cars...http://www.modelsport.co.uk/?CallFunction=ShowSpecification&ItemID=11304

Paul_Varjak

T4i wrote:

bah. As long as it doesnt need loads of amps all the '12v adaptors will do the trick' I've been running my motorola modem off a 9v kids car racing adaptor. The modem should run off a 12V / 1.25A.

Nothing was mentioned about NiCad NiMH batteries.

These are ideal for RC cars...http://www.modelsport.co.uk/?CallFunction=ShowSpecification&ItemID=11304

Cannot really agree even though we have the same birthday!