Home Racing World

Still planning my first wood track, and I realized that any way to cut costs would help me get it built sooner. Then I had a goofy idea. Tell me if this will work.

I found an old laptop power supply: says 19V, 3.42A. So I'm wondering, can I use that for a free power supply and run it through a DC voltage controller (to reduce power) and reversing switch? I found a $12 unit (see photo) that should give me both voltage control and reversing switch. Will that work?

Also, do I need an inline fuse, like maybe 3A, or am I okay without it since the PS only puts out 3.4A?

(If it matters, I'm planning on using a budget PM controller and only RTR to very mildly tuned cars.)

Thanks as always.

If you put 1 on each lane but 3 Amps for a 4 lane track wont be enough, I had a 2.5 Amp on a 3 lane and when I put my new PS on it was a big difference and I run tame motors, I think my 0-20 V 10 amp was under 60 bucks shipped

How clean is that PS? if its not filtered it will let AC leak in and that's hard on motors

I'll give you a walwart if you want it.

You can use that motor speed control to reduce the voltage, but the output would not be pure DC. If it was me I would use a variable voltage regulator like this one: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzLR4 ... A3NjdjNTZh .

For Power I'm using a 12 volt lawn tractor battery, less than 40 bucks at wally world. or even cheaper use the battery from your car, just run a couple of wires to the car and 12 volt power. Just saying to save costs...

The Tenma supply is about 26 bucks shipped. Cheaper than a battery, less space, no fuss.

Plus it's adjustable. At 2 Amps it's perfect for a 1 lane track.

I used a 1960's Sears 10 amp battery charger for 30 years. It probably had ac leakage, but I never had any motor problems in all those years. If you can find a cheap regulator for it you would be set. For your one lane track the power supply you have should be fine with the regulator you have shown.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I love ended up going with an inexpensive 2-amp unit. I picked this one because it has continously variable voltage, instead of steps. It was about the same price as the one Harry recommended.

Nice choice. There are so many choices today, it's easy to find a decent source.