Anyone know of a good place to go and get variable AC/DC power supplies? I was looking for some on Ebay today, most were pretty expensive. I didn’t know if there was any place that sells them for way cheaper. I don’t need anything too fancy, just something I can use for my fire alarms instead of having all these power adapters.
If you don’t mind me asking, why variable? I know Altronix has some different power supplies, some that you can select 6, 12, and 24vdc. Should provide enough power to give you a raw voltage for several devices.
Really? Does it have an AC/DC output? & Just because I have a few devices that have some odd voltage ratings and I have no idea how to power them. Like example, I just recently got a Simplex STR Bell, rated @ 4VAC & 1.5A, and I have nothing to power it with. I was too afraid of using something a little higher voltage & amps because I didn’t want to fry the bell.
don’t worry about amps, it’ll pull only what it needs. if the power supply can’t supply enough it might pop a fuse in the psu or just not work.
proper voltage is the only thing important. find a 4vac 10amp supply and you’re golden.
Altronix has a relatively inexpensive power supply that you can select 6VDC, 12VDC, or 24VDC. The only problem with “selecting” the voltage is that it’s via jumpers you cut - so if you went with that, you may want to solder in some switches to change voltages when you need to. You will also need to purchase a power transformer to convert 120V house current to 24VAC low voltage, the board doesn’t take straight 120VAC. Listed below are links to both. Be careful, they sell a lot of combo packs with the AL624 (includes enclosures, batteries, etc) and more goodies equal more cost! Quick search showed you could probably pick up the power supply and transformer for around $25.
As far as converting 120VAC to something as low as 4VAC - that’s going to be tough without something like a variable AC transformer. They seem to be at least $70+.
Power Supply
Transformer