12v workshop 'power pack'

[Lotobear]

I would like something that plugs into a 13A socket and enables me to test lots of 12v stuff (motors mainly) for a restoration I have in hand - everything up to a starter motor.

Is there some sort of power pack/transformer available that would do this?

[GreenV8S]

You can get a 12V bench power supply, but depending how much current you're asking it to supply it might get quite pricey. Or you could get a car battery fast charger, which will give plenty of oomph but give you a very rough signal - that might be a problem if you want to test anything electronic. A third option would be to get a 12V battery plus any charger. The battery provides high current when you need it and a steady 12V when you don't, and the charger gently tops the battery back up after use.

[Lotobear]

Cheers, a car battery on the bench and trickle charger is what I have used previously and this was my default option as I had in mind my original 'brief' might be tricky to achieve

[Dave.]

What about one of these (or similar, not necessarily this exact one)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOCO-GB20-UltraSafe-Lithi...

[Jakg]

Dave. said:

What about one of these (or similar, not necessarily this exact one)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOCO-GB20-UltraSafe-Lithi...

I suspect that anything clever not designed as a bench power supply will baulk at being messed around with and turn itself off.

12v battery gets my vote btw - big PSUs are expensive.

[Dave.]

Jakg said:

Dave. said:

What about one of these (or similar, not necessarily this exact one)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOCO-GB20-UltraSafe-Lithi...

I suspect that anything clever not designed as a bench power supply will baulk at being messed around with and turn itself off.

12v battery gets my vote btw - big PSUs are expensive.

Now you mention it….

I bought that one last year when the car had a massive power draw and killed the battery.

I disconnected it and used the Noco to put some juice back into the battery.

I seem to recall it lasted 10 or 15mins before turning itself off.

They do have a “boost” button which overrides the safeties and will give you 12v regardless or reverse polarity etc.

https://no.co/support/manual-override-guide