Thread: Looking to run a wall wart off a battery

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Howdy all. I've got a really nice voice modularot that I'd like to work into my costume. The problem is, it runs off a wall wart (no battery power option) I have some batteries and a chrager that I picked up for another project. But, I figured I'd see if I could somehow make an adaptor to allow me to use these batteries to power the wall wart. So, here's the battery I've got:
Parts-Express.com:Yuasa/Genesis 12V 5Ah Sealed Lead Acid Battery | yuasa genesis sealed lead acid seal lead acid computers computer alarms alarm ads ac 12v

And here's the stats of the wall wart in question:
Harmon Pro Group
Model: ps0913b-120-b
mfg: p/n:ss41-090-1300a
Input:120v`60hz 18W
output1:9v`1.3A at (a plug symbol)
output2:3v`0.1A at (a socket symbol)
CLASS 2 TRANSFORMER
CSA FILE NO:183200

I'm fairly new to wiring and electronics. So, please take it slow. Thanks in advance. Let me know if you need more info.

Hmmm. Does the voice modulator use both of those voltages (3VDC and 9VDC)? Sounds like you could use battery packs to run the device. If both voltages are used, a 9 volt and a 2AA pack would do the job. If you try to use that 12 volt battery you described, the device is likely going to fry - the voltage is too high.

I believe the socket output is not used. I'm not sure why it's even in the plug at all. I can't figure out for the life of me what i'ts used for. But, anyway So, assuming I'm using the 9v and the 2AA. How would I wire that up and how to I connect the packs to a soekt to allow the wall wart to plug into it? I know that I cannot just cut the wall wart off and wire the batteries directly. I asked the tech people that and they said there's something in the wall wart itself that is necessary for it to function. Which I can verify because I originally tried using a non-company specific wall wart with the same amperage/voltage and the modulator wouldn't turn on.

Interesting. If the wart is necessary to operate the device you may need to carry the battery as well as an inverter. Could get pretty heavy. Anyone else got some insight on this?

Inverter is a new word to me. What's that? and how much do they weigh? It's been recommended in other spots that I use a Computer Back up battery. But, I don't think it will allow enough time to make it worth it and the ones I've seen are very heavy.

Okay...so I looked up Inverter on google and this puppy popped up
Xantrex Power Pocket Powerpack 100 watt - DonRowe.com

How would this do? Any idea how long the battery pack would last? If it'll do like the ad says with the laptop working for 2-2.5 hours, I think I found a winner. I can just have a spare charging to get me through the night.

Here's a nice cheap inverter.

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

You would have to have a cigarette lighter adapter of just wire it direct to the battery. Great little inverters, I use them in the car for my plug in wall wort phone charger so I don't have to buy the expensive car version.

In your specs on the wall wort it does not say DC next to the output voltages so simply using a battery for your modularot may not work. The wall wart may out put 9v and 3 V AC.

All you need is a 12 volt battery strong enough to run the inverter but light enough to carry.

Andy

I highly doubt there is some special do-ma-hicky in the wall wart to make it function (would not be cost effective). More than likely they are referring to the fact the wall wart which is a inverter (converts 120v to a lower voltage) is needed.

Another way to check for sure is to open up your device and check the circuit board. By the way I would not cut the wallwart anyway....you might need it. Make a another plug that is wired to the batteries.

Do you have any info. on the modulator you are using?? We could help more with this info.

Yeah, I'm skeptical, too. Electrons are electrons, it shouldn't make a difference where they come from. More info on the device is needed.

More than likely they are referring to the fact the wall wart which is a inverter (converts 120v to a lower voltage) is needed

A wall wart is not an inverter. A wall wart is a transformer that takes 120 Volts AC and drops it down to a lower voltage, additionally it will often change the AC to DC. An inverter takes DC and changes it to AC.

Electrons are electrons, it shouldn't make a difference where they come from.

It makes a difference if they are running AC or DC and if the voltage is high or low.

If you know little about electronics Shadowpal, like you say you do mixing AC and DC and different voltages could fry your Modulator. Play it safe, use the wall wart connected to your modulator and power it from an inverter connected to a battery. Not to step on any toes here but I'd hate to see you fry something.