Bench Testing truck components and the like (1 Viewer)

[categorytheory]

Ok so not sure where to post this but I have a general electronics bench testing question. Recently I was able to up an ARB twin air compressor unit that wasn't working. After testing the circuits, hooking it up to my scope and multi-meter and re-wiring.... I thought I had the issue sorted BUT my bench power supply only goes up to 10amp (12v). Without hooking the girl up to the car battery directly (which is what I eventually did to test) what are some other solutions to bench testing electronics such as this....? And by the way she works likes a charm now... and all for FREE
Thanks!

 

[Rifleman]

Free, and it works now, that's a great deal.

 

[steevo67]

I use an old jump box for testing higher amperage accessories like starters, window motors, etc

 

[categorytheory]

Damn that’s pretty smart! How do you control amperage? I don’t want to blow out anything.

 

[Pz10420]

I just use a cheap Walmart unbranded 12v battery. They are like $50

 

[steevo67]

Damn that’s pretty smart! How do you control amperage? I don’t want to blow out anything.

I don't, but if you wanted to have some circuit protection, I'd use a circuit breaker. You can buy them at various ratings up to at least 150A on amazon. Search for 12v circuit breaker.

 

[BILT4ME]

I use jumper cables attached to my truck and strung into the garage for the test.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Get an adjustable power supply. They are very handy to have around for bench testing many things.

 

[categorytheory]

Get an adjustable power supply. They are very handy to have around for bench testing many things.

I have one. But I can’t find any for higher amp outputs like I said in my OP. The one I have only goes to 10 amps.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Well without spending some coin on a high amp power supply then you’ll just have to run jumpers from a battery.

air compressors are among the highest amp demand items we fit on our cars. It can be hard to find a power supply within our budget that will do this

 

[landcrshr]

I have one. But I can’t find any for higher amp outputs like I said in my OP. The one I have only goes to 10 amps.

Astron makes variable power supplies up to 70A.

Products | Astron Corporation

www.astroncorp.com

 

[Malleus]

Astron makes variable power supplies up to 70A.

Products | Astron Corporation

www.astroncorp.com

All for the paltry sum of $350! Call me cheap, but I'll go the WalMart battery route.