Delco Wonderbar Mystery

[Electronic M]

Originally Posted by NoPegs

A note for anyone following this handy tip: Make sure that the "used" charger you're buying is of the "boatanchor" variety. The newer, lighter SMPS based chargers need some modification before being used as PSUs, and need serious filtering/chokes to be used for AM radios. "Boatanchor" types just need a filter cap and maybe punch a few holes and drop a fan into the case so they don't buzz and drive you insane after warming up. If you luck into one that has an "engine start" option you can build a small scale spot-welder. (These are usually the on-wheels variety, bigger than a "boatanchor" but I can't call them anchors because they're inherently mobile!)


If you find an identical pair of 10A (Heavy-Duty) or 20A (Marine/RV) chargers, you can extract the transformers and back-to-back them for a 130VA or 275VA poor-man's isolation transformer. Alternatively you could run 66 or 133 12AU7s in parallell.

Good point. Mine is a Triplite brand line transformer and diode type unit that also can function as a 550W inverter.
If it ever dies it is heavy and small enough to make a decent anchor. LOL.

It actually has enough nuts to start my 4 cyllinder liquid cooled riding mower when the battery is too weak to convince the starter motor to budge it's self.