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BrianG · 05:43 PM

Yeah, it sounds like it has two 12v rails.

Some people may say to just tie them together to get the sum of both rail current ratings. However, I've worked on a PS with dual 12v rails and the internal heatsink got quite hot when they were tied together. Each PS is different so you may be perfectly fine doing this, but I would run a test first; Temporarily hook the 12v rails together, and then hook the paralleled 12v wires to the charger, and charge a pack.

Monitor the 12v voltage and current to see how much the voltage sags at whatever current the charger is pulling. If the PS gets hot (and will happen withing a minute or two if it will) then there is an issue and each set should be used independently. If the PS stays cool, then you are fine with paralleling both 12v rails.

But be warned; certain components in the PS are running at dangerous voltages. Sometimes, even a heatsink can be floating at high voltage, so BE CAREFUL!!!!

	(#2)
BrianG RC-Monster Admin Offline Posts: 14,609 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Des Moines, IA	04.15.2010, 05:41 PM Yeah, it sounds like it has two 12v rails. Some people may say to just tie them together to get the sum of both rail current ratings. However, I've worked on a PS with dual 12v rails and the internal heatsink got quite hot when they were tied together. Each PS is different so you may be perfectly fine doing this, but I would run a test first; Temporarily hook the 12v rails together, and then hook the paralleled 12v wires to the charger, and charge a pack. Monitor the 12v voltage and current to see how much the voltage sags at whatever current the charger is pulling. If the PS gets hot (and will happen withing a minute or two if it will) then there is an issue and each set should be used independently. If the PS stays cool, then you are fine with paralleling both 12v rails. But be warned; certain components in the PS are running at dangerous voltages. Sometimes, even a heatsink can be floating at high voltage, so BE CAREFUL!!!! Last edited by BrianG; 04.15.2010 at 05:43 PM.