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Author Topic: Quick question regarding bench tuning power source  (Read 7871 times)
cmeflibi
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« on: February 08, 2013, 07:26:02 PM »

Hi.  I'm light years away from even understanding how to do any of this, but in the mean time im working on collecting parts for a bench tuning rig.

Question is can I use a battery tender for the power source. Its a 12v output, but I'm not sure how stable that would be. Maybe better if I had the tender clipped to a car battery rather than directly clipped into the ecu. Just trying to use what I have already. I have he smaller battery tender for motorcycles I believe. I also have a bigger craftsman battery charger with three different settings with gauges on it.

I'm just starting to learn how to do all this, so sorry if this is noob ish. Half Hesse posts are in Greek to me ( no offense if you speak Greek)
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cyril279
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« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2013, 07:40:06 PM »

...what you're describing sounds like this to me, which has worked for many; ATX computer power supplies have worked for many others.
In general, flashing seems to work anywhere in between 11 and 14 volts.
« Last Edit: February 09, 2013, 08:41:46 AM by cyril279 » Logged
cmeflibi
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« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2013, 09:40:33 PM »

...what you're describing sounds like this to me, which has worked for many; ATX computer power supplies have worked for many others, and for a range of voltages inbetween 11 and 14 volts.

Looks great. Thanks for the help. Just didn't want to fry my ecu. Think I may try with out the car battery first though. Don't know how I missed that pictures caption last few times I read that thread.
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k0mpresd
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« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2013, 09:48:32 PM »

pc psu converted to a bench psu is cheap and perfect.
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cyril279
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« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2013, 05:38:12 AM »

pc psu converted to a bench psu is cheap and perfect.
^^^ +1.  in addition to small physical size, the DC power is filtered for electronics, and they come with their own leads, you just need to terminate them.

frying your ecu is a legit concern, along with bricking it.  From one newb to another, I suggest practicing on a spare, just to know that you can create a clone so that you aren't toying with your only functioning ecu.  A lot of the info here in the forum is still greek to me, but much less greek than it was last week!

other bench setup info & schematics
Trouble getting into bootmode?...
optican obd wiki
see it all through your VCDS USB cable
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MadCow
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« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2013, 08:27:31 AM »

pc psu converted to a bench psu is cheap and perfect.

The best part is you can go to any privately-owned computer shop and pick one up for $5, or even free if they're nice enough. I've been using one for years now and it's come in handy countless times, not just for flashing.
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AARDQ
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« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2013, 09:43:12 AM »

I use a spare car battery.  No need to even hook a charger up if it's already fully charged; it'll last plenty long enough.  Simple if not elegant.
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cmeflibi
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« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2013, 06:40:42 PM »

those options sound pretty good, and without a huge investment.  I'll go through ebay and amazon and see what I can find.  I'll look for some atx ones. Anything I need to look for specifically, or just get one.  I'm assuming they come in 12v which is why people like them.  Does make sense that they are "cleaner" power made for electronics. 

I am using some spare ecu's.  I have a few that are set up for tiptronic trans (audi b5 s4 and one for a a6).  Gunna try to convert em over to a M box but have more reading, and obviously I want to get this bench rig set up.  I'll probably just order a professional tune for the one I end up running in the car and in the mean time I'll just keep fiddling with all this stuff.  Only problem is I need to find an M box to send off to get tuned.  If anyone has a spare one hit me up.  Sucks having my car sit.
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keithwbloom
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« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2013, 06:53:21 PM »

I sniped this for $43 (+$29 shipping) on eBay about 6 weeks ago. It is almost $300 new.



There are incredible bargains are to be had if you are patient.
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nyet
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« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2013, 06:59:15 PM »

I found a cheap 12v dc adapter for a laptop and cut off the end. YMMV
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ddillenger
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« Reply #10 on: February 11, 2013, 07:03:40 PM »

I snagged the power supply from an old cable modem. 12v@1amp. Then, I stole the DC jack from it, took my cable apart, and installed the DC jack in the cable. The power supply plugs directly into the cable now (makes the many harnesses I have that much simpler-one power supply/cable for all of them). In addition, there are 2 switches installed in the cable. One cuts all power, the other one is a simulated ignition switch for me7.5's that cuts power to pin 23 while it's depressed. I'll get some pics up.
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Please, ask all questions on the forums! Doing so will ensure the next person with the same issue gets the opportunity to learn from your experience!

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cyril279
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« Reply #11 on: February 12, 2013, 05:21:05 AM »

and then there's this old thread: show us your bench flashing setup!

I found a cheap 12v dc adapter for a laptop and cut off the end. YMMV
^^now that's low profile
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cmeflibi
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« Reply #12 on: February 13, 2013, 11:39:41 AM »

Ya so I rolled over to radio shack and boy, that place blows now. It's a over glorified cell phone store. No power supplies at all when I asked. Then found 3 different options looking myself, but all way over priced. Even had two options specifically for bench test electronics, but I'm not paying $100. I'm either going to try this battery tender, but will most likely to with a computer can power supply I bought for another project. Should be 12v. Ill look at that thread just posted. That or I searched eBay and found more than a few used computer psu's for around $15 shipped.
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