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mailman
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Joined: March 24, 2005
Posts: 1663
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 Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:52 pm Post subject: 6 volt power supply |
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I was just wondering.... Would it be possible to use 4 "AA" batteries, which are rated at 1.5 volts each, to make a small, portable 6 volt power supply?
I thought it would be nice to be able to check used parts at a swap meet, for example. Small items like bulbs, relays, horns, choke elements....needless to say I wouldn't expect to be able to check wiper motors or starter motors! 
If this is feasable, how should they be wired together....series, or parallel? I'm such an electronics idiot sometimes.... 
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bob walsh
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Joined: November 25, 2006
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Location: san joaquin county california
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| Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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| should work just great on light bulbs and most relays. i doubt it would have enough oomph to tweak a horn. |
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EverettB 
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Joined: April 11, 2000
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mailman
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Joined: March 24, 2005
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| Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:06 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, guys. I know Radio Shack carries "AA" battery blocks...like the spring loaded ones you'd find in a transistor radio....I'll have to check and see how they're wired.
I've always hated buying electrical parts at shows and swap meets not knowing if they would work....
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L572
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Joined: April 20, 2002
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| Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:28 pm Post subject: |
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I don't know and would be curious to know: Would a set of AA batteries totalling 6 volts have enough "oomph" to light up even a 6 volt 3 watt dome light bulb? I'd rather take a cheap VOM (available for just a few bucks at a place like Harbor Freight http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90899 ) and test for continuity. That's what I do. Just another thought.
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Russ Wolfe
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Joined: October 08, 2004
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Location: Central Iowa
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| Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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That Harbor Frieght multi-tester will fit right in your pocket.
But a set of 4 AA's will put out a lot of power.
Most radio controled airplanes are flying with only 4 AA batteries.
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glutamodo
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Joined: July 13, 2004
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Location: Douglas, WY
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| Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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Why not just use a 6V lantern battery? Granted, it's bigger than a block of AAs but it'll have more capacity, and the non-alkalines usually only cost 4 or 5 bucks.
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mailman
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| Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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glutamodo,
I thought of the 6 volt battery initially, but decided against it for a couple of reasons.
They are bulkier and heavier than 4 "AA"s. Also, I wouldn't need to use the thing often, and I'm afraid the big 6 volt battery would go dead and be wasted.
The "AA"s are a size I always have on hand, anyway, and I can take a fresh set to a swap meet, and then bring them home and use them in something else before they go bad.
As for the multi-meter, I'm sure it would work. I'm a bit electronically challenged , and I like the idea of just testing something with a battery to see it work.
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