Electrickery Jedi

[Hachi]

I need a transformer type set up to use as my wire embedder and was wondering if there is a cheaper way to buy/make one than pay the 40 odd quid one bee eqpt supplier currently has on sale for. As I know nothing about the dark arts of volts amps etc can anyone recommend a suitable and cheap transformer / convertor I could use please?

 

[rook66]

I need a transformer type set up to use as my wire embedder and was wondering if there is a cheaper way to buy/make one than pay the 40 odd quid one bee eqpt supplier currently has on sale for. As I know nothing about the dark arts of volts amps etc can anyone recommend a suitable and cheap transformer / convertor I could use please?

A car battery charger works for me, clip on each end of the wire, I have weighted each end, a button switch across the circuit. Simple

 

[Hachi]

A car battery charger works for me, clip on each end of the wire, I have weighted each end, a button switch across the circuit. Simple

A Picture paints a thousand words chap. The nearest I get to this stuff is playing Operation at xmas with the grandkids

 

[blackcloud]

ATX Power supply from a dead desktop pc?
Useful for other stuff as you can also tap 3,5, and 7volts too with respectable amps.

 

[Hachi]

ATX Power supply from a dead desktop pc?
Useful for other stuff as you can also tap 3,5, and 7volts too with respectable amps.

have a dead laptop or two can they be press ganged back into service?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

we managed fine out in Lesotho with a bog standard car battery charger (biggest challenge was sending someone three miles down the road to get tokens for the leccy meter) no need for any modified equipment, just lay the frame flat with the foundation laid over the wires, turn charger on, touch one terminal/crocodile clip to each end of the wire and it's done in seconds

 

[bingevader]

have a dead laptop or two can they be press ganged back into service?

The laptop chargers might, depending on what output you need.
Quick look at one of ours: 14v, 4a.
Don't know if that is what is required, sorry.

 

[RichardK]

have a dead laptop or two can they be press ganged back into service?

I bought this - works just fine:
AliExpress

 

[blackcloud]

Laptops chargers don't really have enough amps
Mind you don't spend more on faffing than the real thing actually costs though....

 

[Anduril]

I bought this - works just fine:
AliExpress

After enlarging the transformer box, it converts to 12v and is 5a, 60w, which is easy to convert if you have any spare transformers not in use. All you would need are 2 crocodile clips.

 

[user 20297]

As @jenkinsbrynmair....why make it harder for yourself.....low-tech and takes seconds. I suspect that you could even do it with one of those old fashioned, square radio batteries with spring terminals

 

[Hachi]

we managed fine out in Lesotho with a bog standard car battery charger (biggest challenge was sending someone three miles down the road to get tokens for the leccy meter) no need for any modified equipment, just lay the frame flat with the foundation laid over the wires, turn charger on, touch one terminal/crocodile clip to each end of the wire and it's done in seconds

Yes thanks, bought a charger a while back for vaping then bought a genny. So I've redeployed it to wax wiring. Happy days.

 

[Garry R]

Spring loaded movable board with the pins is tensioned with eccentric wheels and the wires are kept straight when embedding. Makes a neat job. See pictures - any questions just ask