Need Help!- Will This Transformer Work In Place Of This One?...

[Patrick_M]

Hello Gang,

I'm getting ready to put together my controller system, and the recommended
transformer is a little expensive. So I did some looking around, and I could only
find one other transformer that appears to have the proper specs.

That's why I'm asking this question, is because when it comes to electronics, I
don't know diddly, so I'm hoping some of you more experienced folks could take
a look at the two transformers and tell me if they are interchangeable.

OK, here's the recommended transformer for the kit I'm building:
http://www.alliedelec.com/Search/Pro...7C25805B15617F

And this is the one I found that appears to be about the same specs:
http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=7846+TR

I just hate to spend $60+ dollars if I can help it, but I don't want to smoke
my new controller kit either.

Thanks for any help and input you guys can offer,
Patrick

[keebler303]

Your second link is not working for me but any transformer with 24VAC secondary winding and the appropriate current capacity (10A or more) should be fine.

Edit: Its working now, that transformer should work fine. Just use the two 12V wires and do not connect the 0V center tap.

Matt

[Patrick_M]

Hi Matt,

Okay thanks for the response.

Question:
You said: "Just use the two 12V wires and do not connect the 0V center tap."

Now, this may sound really dumb, but I told you I was blank when it comes to
this electrical stuff. Anyway, do you mean to use the two 12v wires together,
as in tied together?

Thanks,
Patrick

[keebler303]

NO, NOT TIED TOGETHER!

I will assume you have 2 terminals on your controller system labeled "24VAC". You should connect 1 of the 12V wires to one terminal and the other 12V wire to the other terminal. If you were to connect a multimeter to the two wires, you would see there is 24V between them. If you connected these together, you would be shorting the transformer = not good. You do not need the 0V wire. It is only used when you want something like a dual power supply with +12V and -12V after being rectified.

In short, connect each 12V wire from the transformer to your controller, each one to a separate terminal probably labeled "24VAC". Do not connect the 0V wire to anything, just make sure it is not a bare wire which can short to anything.

Matt

[keebler303]

This should clarify.

Matt

[Patrick_M]

OK, thanks Matt, I really appreciate it. That does make things clear for me.

Also, I noticed as I was reading around, that some people are converting
computer power supplies for use on these controllers. Is that something I
could think about as well? I do have a couple of spare computer cases
with power supplies on hand.

Thanks,
Patrick

[keebler303]

It sounds like your controller takes AC voltage directly and does the rectification and smoothing on board. That means that it makes its own DC power from the AC input. If someones controller takes DC power directly, then daisy chained computer supplies can work, depending upon the application.

Matt

[Patrick_M]

OK, thanks Matt.