Alternative Power Source for Router

[Lazy Sod]

My EE router is powered by a plug in charger that has an output of 15v at 1.2 amps. If we have a power cut in the daytime that we know will last some time, I will fire up my generator.

However, it occurred to me that just for short periods, I might be able to run the router from a battery that I have. It's a 12v. sealed AGM 17ah battery that I bought, probably 10 years ago, to go on an old ride on mower that I had at the time. When I scrapped the mower, I kept the battery as it wasn't very old. Over the years, I've kept it charged up and it keeps it's charge for long periods. It's been a useful as a 12v. source on the workshop bench etc.

I've got a charger plug from an old router that has the same plug on the end of the wire, so it fits my current router. I have cut the old charger plug off and fitted a couple of crocodile clips. Presumably my router only draws the current that it wants, so carrying out my plan to use my battery won't hurt it. Similarly, if I used my TopDon 2000 jump pack, would that fry the router?

 

[Chris F]

Would not be better to buy an Uninteruptable power supply for the router? They aren't expensive and also have overload protection too. New tech seems very easy to overload these days.

Something like this:

APC Back-UPS 650VA - 230V - 8 x AC Power - 1 USB Charging Port

Get a great deal on a APC Back-UPS 650VA - 230V - 8 x AC Power - 1 USB Charging Port as well as thousands of products at Ebuyer!

www.ebuyer.com

Would probably run a router for a couple of hours.

Although let me know if that works as I have one of those batteries in the shed too!

 

[Lazy Sod]

I want to try it, I just want to ensure that I'll do no harm to the router.

 

[rollestonpark]

A fully charged AGM battery probably puts out about 13.8v , the router might work at that...
I doubt it would harm it if it was undervolted, however, it might not work reliably.

Draytek routers generally work from 12 - 15 volts, so they could be powered direct off the battery.
Failing that then APC s are normally used for this type of thing.

 

[Rich_ard]

Lighting usually fries our router before the power goes off. Would it only draw what power it need rather than damage itself. Put a fuse in incase

 

[Alchad]

I would have thought a power bank would do it- search Amazon for them

 

[farmerm]

Would not be better to buy an Uninteruptable power supply for the router? They aren't expensive and also have overload protection too. New tech seems very easy to overload these days.

Something like this:

APC Back-UPS 650VA - 230V - 8 x AC Power - 1 USB Charging Port

Get a great deal on a APC Back-UPS 650VA - 230V - 8 x AC Power - 1 USB Charging Port as well as thousands of products at Ebuyer!

www.ebuyer.com

Would probably run a router for a couple of hours.

Although let me know if that works as I have one of those batteries in the shed too!

12V 7ah battery is what sits in my APC I think...

 

[GarMan]

if directly connected to the battery, could you make sure that the Amp rating doesn't exceed what the device requires. Worth picking up a cheap solar charge controller to be used with the battery or even a decent battery pack might be able to support it for a few hours.

 

[farmerm]

My EE router is powered by a plug in charger that has an output of 15v at 1.2 amps. If we have a power cut in the daytime that we know will last some time, I will fire up my generator.

However, it occurred to me that just for short periods, I might be able to run the router from a battery that I have. It's a 12v. sealed AGM 17ah battery that I bought, probably 10 years ago, to go on an old ride on mower that I had at the time. When I scrapped the mower, I kept the battery as it wasn't very old. Over the years, I've kept it charged up and it keeps it's charge for long periods. It's been a useful as a 12v. source on the workshop bench etc.

I've got a charger plug from an old router that has the same plug on the end of the wire, so it fits my current router. I have cut the old charger plug off and fitted a couple of crocodile clips. Presumably my router only draws the current that it wants, so carrying out my plan to use my battery won't hurt it. Similarly, if I used my TopDon 2000 jump pack, would that fry the router?

They do often run rather warm these charging plugs... I wonder if some of that heat is due to a built in internal resistance designed in to restrict the current flow to the device or if the internal resistance in the device is designed to handle being connected to any old, unrestricted 15V power supply without it drawing too much current and heating itself up?

You could just turn on your phones data hotspot and connect through that.....

 

[steveR]

Bu

My EE router is powered by a plug in charger that has an output of 15v at 1.2 amps. If we have a power cut in the daytime that we know will last some time, I will fire up my generator.

However, it occurred to me that just for short periods, I might be able to run the router from a battery that I have. It's a 12v. sealed AGM 17ah battery that I bought, probably 10 years ago, to go on an old ride on mower that I had at the time. When I scrapped the mower, I kept the battery as it wasn't very old. Over the years, I've kept it charged up and it keeps it's charge for long periods. It's been a useful as a 12v. source on the workshop bench etc.

I've got a charger plug from an old router that has the same plug on the end of the wire, so it fits my current router. I have cut the old charger plug off and fitted a couple of crocodile clips. Presumably my router only draws the current that it wants, so carrying out my plan to use my battery won't hurt it. Similarly, if I used my TopDon 2000 jump pack, would that fry the router?

Buy a proper "power station" that you can simply plug your router mains adapter into. Will also run your other lower power tech kit. Look for quality units like Ecoflow, Bluetti and Jackery. Ecoflow do refurbs at a keen price at times...

EcoFlow UK | Portable Power Stations & Solar Power for Home

Explore EcoFlow's portable power stations and versatile solar power solutions for home and outdoor use. Perfect for enhancing home energy security, powering off-grid adventures, motorhomes, and outdoor activities. Experience energy independence now!

uk.ecoflow.com

Weird voltage fore the router sadly, as it would be great to simply use a charged battery. But worth a try I'd have thought....

 

[Lazy Sod]

My above post is old news @farmerm. Have a look at the thread "Battery Backup During Power cuts" in Off Topic started by @Cab-over Pete. There I relate what I have done to ensure that we are never without contact with the outside world.