Variable Voltage Mobile LED Power Supply

Started by Jim Donovan, April 26, 2026, 07:39:08 PM

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Jim Donovan

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
Holland & Odessa Railroad

deemery

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
Modeling the Northeast in the 1890s - because the little voices told me to

Jim Donovan

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
Holland & Odessa Railroad

jbvb

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.
James

ACL1504

"If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed."
Thomas Jefferson

Tom Langford
telsr1@aol.com

KentuckySouthern

Interesting device I had never heard of before :o .  Well done ;) .

Amazon appreciates this, too. ;D

Jim Donovan

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
Holland & Odessa Railroad

Jim Donovan

Holland & Odessa Railroad

Jim Donovan

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
Holland & Odessa Railroad

Jim Donovan

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

Holland & Odessa Railroad

deemery

Jim, any concerns about cooling?  

dave
Modeling the Northeast in the 1890s - because the little voices told me to

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