110 AC/12 VDC power converter for 12 V chain sharpener

[Nine6Teen]

I've got one of those 12 volt chain sharpeners that have the alligator clips to get power from a car or truck battery.

https://dickeybub.net/product/stihl-12-volt-chain-grinder-00008824001/

I'd like to run it inside my shop, where I only have 110 AC house current. So I want to get a converter. The grinder does not say how much current it needs. Anybody have any ideas ? How many amps ?

 

[Macman125]

It should say on it somewhere on it the specs and how many amps it would require. I would imagine though that since it is 12v, you would be alright with a 10 amp power supply.

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

Don't have a spare truck or equipment battery laying around?

 

[bikemike]

Don't use a battery charger

 

[machinisttx]

Somewhere on it, it should list voltage and either amperage requirement or a wattage requirement. Usually when I answer a question like this, someone is trying to figure out how big a generator they need and it's simple to say that volts x amps = watts. In any case, you need a 12v power supply, and they are easily found at any place that has amature radio equipment. I suspect that since it clamps onto the battery, it's pulling more than 10 amps. Just a guess though.

 

[Nine6Teen]

it does not say anything other than 12 VDC. seriously. nor does the paperwork, or the package. I cannot find a spec sheet on line.
so do I spring for a $50 battery pack, or a $5 cheesy transformer. If I tried something really small, like 2 amps, would it hurt it? I'm pretty much an electrical dummy, so yeah.

 

[ray benson]

Question and answer on Amazon says it pulls 8a
http://www.amazon.com/0000-882-4001-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B005DC28I2

 

[machinisttx]

it does not say anything other than 12 VDC. seriously. nor does the paperwork, or the package. I cannot find a spec sheet on line.
so do I spring for a $50 battery pack, or a $5 cheesy transformer. If I tried something really small, like 2 amps, would it hurt it? I'm pretty much an electrical dummy, so yeah.

Maybe, maybe not. If Ray has the right specs, then I'd say it likely wouldn't even spin up on a 2 amp supply, and would probably burn the supply up. Electric motors typically need 2x to 3x as much amperage to start as they do when running. Something like this should work fine. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AAF19CC?psc=1 This one is much higher quality though. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006HSAS?tag=price190-20

 

[Nine6Teen]

so, something like this ?


http://www.amazon.com/DC-HOUSE-110V...54053639&sr=1-2&keywords=dc+12+v+power+supply

 

[machinisttx]

I would buy a 15 or 20 amp.....probably the 20. It doesn't add much to the price, but it does add some extra capacity in case that motor actually draws more than 8 amps. Also, since I can't find a surge rating for them and the ad lists them for LED lights(no surge capacity needed), a 20 amp should give you enough capacity to ensure it will start the motor and not fail. Remember that a motor is going to draw 2-3 times as much amperage when starting as it will when running.