Power supply for testing 12v vehicle electrics

[Ali]

I need to hook up some power to test electrics on kick-start only motorbikes with 12v generator and no battery. I’ve borrowed batteries from cars for this before, but it’s a bit of a pain and I was going to buy a cheap battery to have lying around for this purpose. There’s a decent new Bosch locally for £35.

Then I wondered if I could just use a cheap 12v plug in power supply? If so, what type? I’ve also got an old school battery charger somewhere could I just hook that up?

Daft question I’m sure, I’m no electrician, especially not the automotive variety and I don’t want to fry anything.

 

[the snooper]

I wouldn't use a battery charger, find something with a clean stable regulated output

 

[dobbslc]

A small motorcycle battery will do it. I used one tonight to test an air con compressor clutch.

 

[Jack_K]

A computer power supply will do. There's just two wires which need to be joined to make them output power.

 

[jmp49]

A regulated dc power supply for a radio or cb, preferably one with some fault protection.It will feed smoothed recitfied dc at sufficient amps. I have a old tandy 10a unit I hook up for this, if you short it out, it just lights a light on the front and the protection (crowbar) kicks in. Resettable fuse inline in the +ve doesnt harm either.

 

[daleyd]

I wouldn't use a battery charger, find something with a clean stable regulated output

Good to see you back!

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I've got a small 2.8ah battery got cheaply off eBay for testing 12v car components.

 

[OJCar]

Battery with a low value fuse in the connecting line.

 

[the snooper]

Good to see you back!

Thanks