12 Volt Power Supply

[graemec]

I have just purchased a vintage ice cream van and need to wire in a chime system which normally runs from the vans battery. The van has been converted to a trailer and there for has no battery attached. My question is, can I run it from a 12v transformer ? This would be attached to an electrical supply from a generator.

The speaker head on the chime set up says 35 watts.

I have an old model railway transformer that is rated at 12 v and 1 amp. Will this do it?

I'm sure that is clear by now that I am an absolute beginner.

Any help would be very much appreciated

 

[Evans Electric]

I think the marking on the speaker is to indicate the volume /power of the speaker ,  not too sure .  It could also be a DC device , you need to check that .   Is the (really annoying)   a digital amplifier thingy ?  Can't say I've ever seen one . 

You may need a PSU  ( Power Suply Unit ) giving you an output of 12v  DC  from the likes of Farnell , RS  or the High St electroncs store whose name escapes me .    A Transformer will be  12v  AC

This Forum is full of mad people who will know about this .

 

[Andy™]

make sure the adapter is 12v DC, not AC

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

. 

You may need a PSU  ( Power Suply Unit ) giving you an output of 12v  DC  from the likes of Farnell , RS  or the High St electroncs store whose name escapes me .    A Transformer will be  12v  AC

Maplins 

And another for, make sure its 12v DC.  I would guess the railway transformer is DC as its for motors, but why risk it when a plug in PSU from E Bay is only a couple of pounds.

 

[graemec]

On one side of the transformer is states 12v- 1amp DC output. On the other it is marked ac mains input 200v-250v 50 cycles. Does that sound as if it may be safe to try ?

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Yep, that seems ok, but ensure you keep the correct polarity. The black or - goes to black or - on the ice cream van, which normally is earthed (grounded) via the chassis. The red or + goes to the sound unit

 

[graemec]

Now I did say I am an absolute beginner. In order for this all to be earthed. Does that mean running a wire from the chassis to one of the chime components. The options are Transformer, amp, chime box or large aluminum trumpet speaker. The speaker would traditionally be mounted somewhere downin the engine bay next to the chassis.

At the risk of answering my own question it sounds like running an earth from the trumpet to the chassis.....does this sound correct?

 

[steptoe]

If you are running off a genny and Tx/psu then you don't need to worry about running to the chassis, simply connect your chime to the psu.

 

[graemec]

Is the PSU what I have described as the 'Transformer'?

 

[steptoe]

Maybe, you need to make sure that your 'ttansformer' also rectifies from AC to DC as well though, why it's referred to as a psu, power supply unit.

 

[graemec]

Thank you all, for your help. It is much appreciated.