Thread: Can I use this Power Box for Wiper Motors?

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Hopefully, someone will have some input on this. My husband and I were thrift store shopping yesterday when we ran across this power box. We are just now getting into actually animating props with wiper motors, so I was wondering if you can use these types of power boxes to power up a windshield wiper motor? If so, can anyone give us an idea as to how to hook it up? Also, the price is $14.99. Is this a good, bad or decent price if we can use it? Thanks so much!

Well, it really depends on a lot of things. Is this AC? or DC current? What is the output? what are the Amps? You need a dedicated 12V DC power supply for a wiper motor with enough Amps for the rating on the wiper motor. Do you have a picture of the back of the supply unit? I did a quick search on the box pictured and nothing comes up.....more info?

Thanks for your response.... here is a photo of the back.



We're just now getting into wiring up props and really have no clue is this can be used or not. I hope this has all the info you need on the back to tel us if this would work or not, since I really don't know much about it. Thanks for your help!

From what i can see the power supply you have supplies 120V AC current (thus the plug on the right hand side). The terminal on the left hand side is for various controls or "triggers" that can be mounted to control the 120V ac outlet. That is.....if you have a prop that is a regular 120V plug in say......a prop that uses a Wal-Mart or a prop that has it's own AC/DC transformer, you should be able to plug it in directly to this (switched) power supply and then set up the necessary trigger to activate the prop.....say a pressure mat or an infra-red or thermal sensor to activate your prop. I would try plugging in a regular light or flood light to the outlet first, if it stays off then this must be a triggered power supply. If that works, then it is only a simple matter of finding a switch or trigger to use on the terminal block on the left hand side. Test the terminals for voltage first across the ON and COM terminals or ON and RELAY OUTPUT with the unit plugged in first and using a voltage tester/meter. PLEASE be careful! It states that the unit relay puts out 24V DC@3Amps. If i can be of further help, email me thru my profile......thanks.....'Scruff