Power Supply Question...
 

12v, 5amps power supply. Enough to power charger charging Lipo?

Depends on what lipos, charge rate and such, but in general for typical 1/10 stuff I would say it’s probably cutting it pretty close if that.

Power supplies are almost always advertised with peak ratings, probably shouldn’t expect more than ~3.5 amps or so continuous. Given charger efficiency, display power and such, not much left for reliable charging power.

I would suggest looking for something closer to 10 amps. Maybe more if you might add a second charger anytime soon.

Yeah, if you're trying to charge 5amps using a 5amp power supply, you won't make it, you'll wind up with less than 5amp.

Possible exception is that 5amp PS that HC sells for the Accucel-6. Thats been tested to 6.9amps and can power a charger at 5amps. This looks like a laptop power supply and needs the cord from PS to the wall (it doesn't come with it).

I am a greenhorn in the field of Electrical and Electronics. I have a robotic arm which requires 6V and at least 2 Amp for it to operate smoothly which I do not know the maximum current rating it can withstand. I need it to be powered by 2 methods - Power Adapter and Battery Pack, for different conditions.
What I want to ask is, if the power adapter or battery pack has the same 6V rating but its current rating is higher than the requirement, will it damage the arm and circuit? If yes, what is the range of current ratings I can consider to suit my robotic arm?

I think you'll be fine as long as the voltage is matched. The arm should draw what it needs and no more.

Around 60 watts anyway you slice it.

For charging batts below 12 volts this will do 5 amps +
For charging batts above 12 volts this will do 5 amp or less

Good point! Inside my Onyx 230 is what looks like a laptop power brick that is rated at 12v 5A. I charge my NiMH's at 6A and my LiPo's at 4.2A and haven't run ito problems - but I don't always get the full 6A on my NiMH.

Sorta, but not quite. The charger itself consumes some of the power, the control circuits, display, etc. Which is probably why you won't always get the full 6 amps, even with a battery that peaks below 12 volts.

With powers supplies its always better to buy bigger than you'll ever need, if you charge at 5 amps and your power supply is 5 amps there could be a spike at start up and cause the charger to kick off, buy as big as your budget will allow, having one too big doesnt hurt thats why I went with a pyramid 50 amp

Thats what I've been doing, but didn't go big enough.

Ive got 20 and 25a supplies to run 2 chargers and I wished I had bought 40a or bigger. The new Hyperion G3 lipos I'm getting - could charge them at 25a if I had a charger and PS that could deliver that current.

hyperion lipos, hyperion charger.

I have the hyperion chargers - a pair of the 0610iNet chargers, but they are limited to 10amps.

At least I can do a 2C charge with a 5000mah lipo....

Here's the PS that I bought.
http://www.rc711.com/_webphoto/parts/adaptor.jpg
and it's powering this charger that I also bought.
http://www.3racing.hk/products.php?products_key=3803
WTF?! same specs as this new Trinity I-Balance charger but less than
half its price- http://www.teamepiconline.com/shop/i...?item=TRI22006
I bet it has the same internal components.

Cant complain about the price. Bought this just for the experience.
For 2 years Ive used Eagle D1 Charger for my Nihm.

Heard that these China-made chargers and PS doesnt give accurate
volt readings... Like the PS is rated at 5amps but when measured,
it's 6amps.

I charged a new IB5000 Nihm and it stopped at 62 minutes and 4982 amps.
This charger has a 5 amp limit. I cant increase it anymore. Is this ok?
Intellect says I should charge it at 6 amps. But Im stuck with 5 amps.
I also have a used GP3000 which went full charge at 42 min and 2335 amps.
Charged it at 3.5 amps. Nice punch but at least 20 minutes of runtime.
Any idea how to increase it's performance? I also have another old
GP3000... stopped at 55 minutes and 3003 amps. It runs longer but weak
punch and after 35 minutes of continuous running its hot to the touch.
Anyway Im just sharing.

Ive been thinking... This PS tends to heat up after 15minutes of use.
And it's just 5 amps. What if I buy another one, rewire them so that they
share one 220AC input plug and then join the 12v DC output so they also
share one 12v plug? Will I get 10amps? Do you think it's feasible?
I also want to open up its casing so I cant put vent holes and possibly
an exhaust fan.

I have hacked my PSU (which look like a laptop charger like the one you bought) and installed two fans (from electronic store - rated with 12v) in it.

Worked great... PSU no longer heats up (just a bit warm) even if I max it at 5Amp.

Will edit this post later with the picture.

I want to do that also but I cant open it up. It doesnt have any screws.
Is it glued together or just tightly clipped? And also, if I install a 12v
fan, wont it affect the final amp output?