http://ask.metafilter.com/tags/batterycharger Questions tagged with 'batterycharger' at Ask MetaFilter. Sat, 26 May 2007 14:26:15 -0800 Sat, 26 May 2007 14:26:15 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://ask.metafilter.com/63454/Battery%2Dcharger%2Dfor%2D12V%2Dpower%2Dsupply Calling electricians: can I use one of those "battery chargers" they sell at Auto Zone to power a small appliance that needs 12V? The appliance is an RV waste pump that needs to be on just 5 minutes every week. The manufacturer sheet says it needs a 12VDC 20A connection. The only available power is 110 VAC.<br> <br> It's pretty much impossible to find any kind of 110V to 12V converter, but there's oodles of battery chargers like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000EJV5II/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/">this</a> at AutoZone, Wal-Mart, etc. Will these work as a basic power supply, or will they act flaky when they don't get connected to a battery? Will those <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002TP2C0/metafilter-20/ref=nosim/">fully automatic</a> chargers refuse to power a motor? Can I just go by the highest amp rating on the charger packaging and make sure it's 20A or above?<br> <br> Again, I will only be operating the thing 5 minutes a week, so I don't need a certified, by-the-book connection; just something that will get the job done. tag:ask.metafilter.com,2007:site.63454 Sat, 26 May 2007 14:26:15 -0800 battery batterycharger charger electrical power powersupply supply hodyoaten