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can i connect 2 or more 12 v rails?

Original Message
Name: battlesnake
Date: March 25, 2008 at 01:44:06 Pacific
Subject: can i connect 2 or more 12 v rails?
OS: xx
CPU/Ram: xx
Model/Manufacturer: xx
Comment:
hi there
i am working on a project where i am connecting a car system to my pc
to power the amp i will use a pc power supply. to combat the inconsistent power draws from the sound system i will be using a capacitor.

what i want to know is, just say i had a psu, with 3 18 A 12v rails, is there a way i can connect these 3 rails together to get 54 A of current to put into the amplifier?

thanks heaps...


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Response Number 1
Name: jefro
Date: March 25, 2008 at 09:05:58 Pacific
Subject: can i connect 2 or more 12 v rails?
Reply: (edit)
You'd have to know more about the design of the psu. To say it is like a battery is not always true. A battery would work that way. PSU's for industrial equipment almost always have modules for each voltage unless noted. Not sure how crowbar circuits would react on that use.

Consider a proper unit. Not sure burning down your car would be worth the time and trouble to find this out.

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.


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Response Number 2
Name: battlesnake
Date: March 25, 2008 at 12:13:37 Pacific
Subject: can i connect 2 or more 12 v rails?
Reply: (edit)
its not for a car.
the reason for using a psu is cause im putting this in my bedroom and dont want a car battery in here, also a std 12 v power supply to give that many amps is very expensive

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Response Number 3
Name: jefro
Date: March 25, 2008 at 13:53:57 Pacific
Subject: can i connect 2 or more 12 v rails?
Reply: (edit)
Again burning down a house is expensive.

Get a 120V to 12V converter.

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.


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Response Number 4
Name: OtheHill
Date: March 25, 2008 at 14:07:56 Pacific
Subject: can i connect 2 or more 12 v rails?
Reply: (edit)
jefro

The OP also needs DC power. Seems like it may work but why do you feel you need more than one 12V lead. Volts times Amps = Watts. 18A X 12V = 216 watts of power. How much power do you need to run the car deck?


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Response Number 5
Name: jefro
Date: March 26, 2008 at 08:57:33 Pacific
Subject: can i connect 2 or more 12 v rails?
Reply: (edit)
I suggested a converter.

A converter makes 12VDC from 120VAC doesn't it?

An inverter makes 120VAC from 12VDC, he has the house voltage

Guess not if you read this.
http://support.radioshack.com/suppo...

I still think that using devices like that is possibly dangerous.

They make correct products that are safety listed.

I think he is saying that he has a psu that has three leads. Each lead is listed to have a few amp's @ 12VDC. He wanted to parallel the lines to keep the voltage equal but increase the current.

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.


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Response Number 6
Name: OtheHill
Date: March 26, 2008 at 13:31:53 Pacific
Subject: can i connect 2 or more 12 v rails?
Reply: (edit)
jefro

My appologies, you are correct about the converter. I don't know that using a PSU in the manner the OP wants to is necessarily dangerous but I don't pretend to be a expert in this area.

I think if the OP combined the leads that could be problematic. The OP's specs state 18A on each rail. I think that one rail should be enough, if they choose to try this at all.

No doubt a device that is design for that express purpose would be better.


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