Electrical Question

Is there a straightforward and easy way to run a 12V DC device (a winch in this case) off of houshold AC?

 

Need a converter of some sort.

How many amps does your winch draw?

 

I'm not sure off the top of my head. I was in Northern Tool and Equipment today and looking at their winches. Most of them are 12V DC and designed to be run off the battery of an ATV or a truck.

 

Easiest way is to run off of a car battery charger. However, this will only work if the amp draw is within the operation range of the charger (usually under 2A). More than this will require a large converter, which can be very expensive, or run off a car battery itself, with a trickle charger attached to that.

Sorry for no easy answer.

 

No, they sell inverters, and aren't too expensive or bulky.
This would fix you up nicely:
http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kw=power+supply&f=Taxonomy%2FRSK%2F2032056&categoryId=2032056&kwCatId=2032056

I use one of these all the time bench testing electrical components at my shop before installing.
This is assuming it's an automotive or marine winch?

 

You need to find out what amperage the winch will operate at under load. The power converter referenced above will work if the load is under 15 amps. I would imagine any winch would be greater than that. Most power outlets/cigar lighters in cars run on a 20 amp circuit and that is a fairly light load in a 12 volt circuit. I had a winch on a jeep years ago and I think it ran on about a 100 amp circuit.

 

Straightforward, yes. Easy.. maybe not so much. To do it properly, you'd need to know what the FLA (full load amperage) is for the device. This should be on the manufacturer's specs. Take that figure, and multiply it by volts. Say for example, the device draws 4.75A at 12V. That gives you 57 VA (volt-amps and watts are interchangable in most cases). VoltAmps are a unit of measure by which transformers are sold. In this case, you'd need to get yourself a 120 to 12V stepdown transformer capable of 60 VA, or watts. They're usually in round numbers in low cases such as this, in multiples of 5, so they're likely manufactured in--45VA, 50VA, 55VA, 60VA, etc. So to review, you'd be looking for a 60 VA or 60 Watt capable, 120 to 12V step down transformer. This is very similar to a doorbell transformer, if you've ever seen one, but would be considerably larger, since it's going to need to deliver significantly more amperage to the load.

The part after that is to find a converter, also called a rectifier. This is a device that takes AC and changes it to DC. You might be able to find a sophisticated piece of equipment that does both. I wouldn't be surprised if the manufacturer of the linear device makes them.

The transformer and rectifier could be mounted each inside a NEMA 3 type enclosure, which is made for wet locations, and uses a gasketed cover, and all connectors are watertite. This would result in a safe and workmanlike installation. In short, your 120VAC input would go in, and your 12VDC output would come out, and go to your linear device.

The first thing I'd do in your position, is after you obtain the linear device, tell the manufacturer you need to run it in your home. They should be able to accomodate you.

BTW to clarify some posts above, you're looking for a converter (converts AC to DC), not an inverter, which supplies AC power from a DC source.

Let me know if you need further advice.

 

Thanks for the great explanation. The winch I was looking at was designed for ATV use. Tonight I found a linear actuator for sale online. It is 12V or 24V DC depending on the model but they also have a remote control unit that includes an AC power adapter.

Track Actuators - Linear Actuators, Linear Motors, Micro motors, Electric Motors

 

I will be the first to second ReefSparky.

"...workmanlike installation."

Hmm, where have I hear this before;D