I have been working on my AP for Structures in the NMRA modeling program so I have to have the buildings judged. I light all of my buildings and in the past took a power pack with all the wiring, kinda of a mess. So I decided to create my own portable power pack. It consists of a buck converter, two wire snap connecter and a nine voit battery (with connector). Measuring the various parts I used Tinkercad to design a box to hold all the parts in place and here is what I came up with.IMG_2746.jpeg
IMG_2747.jpeg
So that buck converter includes an LED to show output voltage? Snazzy!
(When I did the box for my Arduino powered signal and crossing controller, I glued Wago Connectors to the box for the external connections.)
dave
The buck converter on costs $1.85 each from Tuni, the battery connector less then .25 and the snap connector a dime. The 3D printed resin came in at $.50 so it worked out great.
These buck convertors come with control buttons to show input and output voltage showing result on the screen, a lot of stuff in a small package.
Jim
That's a nice tool. Not sure I'd build one of my own; I bought a smaller-than-a-shoebox lab DC power supply with more features several years ago.
Jim,
Nice job on the power box.
Tom
Interesting device I had never heard of before :o . Well done ;) .
Amazon appreciates this, too. ;D
Quote from: jbvb on April 26, 2026, 09:31:19 PMThat's a nice tool. Not sure I'd build one of my own; I bought a smaller-than-a-shoebox lab DC power supply with more features several years ago.
If I had what you have I won't either. Thanks
Jim
Quote from: ACL1504 on May 01, 2026, 11:27:11 AMJim,
Nice job on the power box.
Tom
Thanks Tom, it is working great.
Jim
Quote from: KentuckySouthern on May 01, 2026, 12:50:31 PMInteresting device I had never heard of before :o . Well done ;) .
Amazon appreciates this, too. ;D
They love me for sure.
Thanks
Jim
I thought I'd share the final model which I will use as needed. The first one a friend liked so I gave it to him. This version has a switch added, I painted it and the closing top has a fancy paint I had around the kids use on war models. I've already used it once at a local show and tell, worked great.
Jim
power box 2.jpg
power source 1.jpg
Jim, any concerns about cooling?
dave
Quote from: deemery on May 31, 2026, 11:56:06 AMJim, any concerns about cooling?
dave
Hi Dave;
The top just slides off, when I am using it the top just sits next to it. I imagine it would overheat if left on, at the very least the resin top would sag as resin has a low melting temp.
Jim