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Portable Mains Power Supply

Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2015 6:35 pm
by Sanj
So I'm searching for a solution to a simple oversight whilst rebuilding my home.

Not knowing what sofa we would be getting/dimensions and general proximities within the room I've a small problem. Took delivery of our new sofa with 2 powered recliners (they have UK plugs on them). I don't like trailing wires from sofa and am looking for a portable power pack solution (if there is one). The motors I can see are 5A (2 of them).

Does anyone have any ideas/solutions to this.  All I can come up with right now is this, but it may do, may not - there is a suspicious flashing LED on each motor (even when not in use) so they must be drawing some power when not in use. I was thinking a recliner would only draw power during operation so a battery pack would do.

Does anyone have any ideas/thoughts they'd care to share? Only thing I don't want to do is start cutting/splicing wires and adding inverters (I'm still gonna be under warranty).

Re: Portable Mains Power Supply

Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2015 6:42 pm
by X5Sport
Put a power point on the wall a bit nearer?  Messy and a pain right at this point, but is the best long term option really (but you know that deep down).

Power packs (which have an inverter inside too) will be the same as those used to start cars and inverters are not very power efficient.  Power is probably on all the time as a safety system or because the switches work at low voltage (for safety reasons) so a low voltage supply has to run to them all the time and is contained in the electronics somewhere.

Other than putting the cables into anti-trip sleeving (get it in black) there is no simple option.

You could put the cables into conduits and put them back against the wall until you get very close to the seats and then bring them out?

As a last resort then tape the cables down with black gaffer tape and pretend it's a proper job......tell anyone that asks that it's designer gaffer tape and start a fashion.. :))

Re: Portable Mains Power Supply

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2015 6:22 pm
by Tommy
Had similar once, trailing cables drive me mad, ended up putting floor sockets in. Which was fine as furniture permanently located.

Re: Portable Mains Power Supply

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2015 9:05 pm
by pvr
I put a floor socket in as well, I have a wooden floor so removed one slat of that to make a grove for the power cable and "hacked" the floor socket in the concrete, then relayed the floor panel.

Didn't you have wood as well there?

Re: Portable Mains Power Supply

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2015 9:07 pm
by pvr
By the way, 5 amp times two.

P=V*I, so 240 * 5 = 1200 watt each.

That box is only rated at 200w so a non starter.

Re: Portable Mains Power Supply

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2015 9:29 pm
by Steamyrotter
Remove your skirting boards between socket and sofas
Route out a groove or rebate on the back of the skirting.
Run cable in that groove and fit plug n socket at the appropriate ends
Refit skirting to wall.

Minimal visible lead..

If you really want to then stick skirting back up with the black gaffer tape so you know where the cables go!!!

Re: Portable Mains Power Supply

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2015 10:06 pm
by Dr C
[quote="pvr"]
By the way, 5 amp times two.

P=V*I, so 240 * 5 = 1200 watt each.

That box is only rated at 200w so a non starter.
[/quote]

Also.......P = V^2 / R

:)

Re: Portable Mains Power Supply

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 8:04 am
by Steamyrotter
Don't forget the power factor as you are using ac.
This will depend on the impedance also...

Are you sure that's not a model / part number as 5a seems an awful lot for a small motor!!

Re: Portable Mains Power Supply

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 11:22 am
by Sanj
Guys thanks for the input - PVR I have posh lino (Karndean) and under that is the underfloor heating so I can't stick power sockets to the floor.

Still stuck and unsure what to do.

Re: Portable Mains Power Supply

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 11:27 am
by Sanj
[quote="Steamyrotter"]
Are you sure that's not a model / part number as 5a seems an awful lot for a small motor!!
[/quote]

I'll get a pic up of the motor in a bit - I am most likely wrong....

Re: Portable Mains Power Supply

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 11:52 am
by Sanj
Image

Re: Portable Mains Power Supply

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 12:01 pm
by Steamyrotter
Aha 5a at 24v
They are 100watts so piffling current at mains levels..

Re: Portable Mains Power Supply

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 12:37 pm
by Sanj
And....

I found thislittle fella on the Italian website - looks exactly like the power supply that is there right now. I've put a few emails out to see if anyone can help from their contacts list.

Otherwise you reckon the Maplins link in my first post is a potential?

Re: Portable Mains Power Supply

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 9:31 pm
by pvr
Typical user, gives you half the story  :))

No playing with the chairs, remember 2 minutes on, 5 minutes off  :P

And no more than 180 kg either, so better go on a diet fatty  >:D

Re: Portable Mains Power Supply

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 9:55 pm
by X5Sport
Being Italian motors they'll only last two years then overload the electrics......