Random thoughts of code and things
On this page you will find a list of all the devices that I currently power with a 12v power source or have in the past. In order for me to consider a device capable of being powered from a 12v power source, the device in question needs to be able to run from roughly 11-14.4v without damage. In case you are wondering, I have damaged a device or two that could not handle the increased source voltage. Thankfully, the damages were minimal.
WARNING:
Many of these devices were not designed to run straight from a varying power source such as what you would get from a car, solar power, or just a 12v lead acid battery in general. Run these devices at your own risk! If you blow something up, which I have done before, I take no responsibility for it! I am just putting this here for information to give people ideas of the sort of things that can be run from a low voltage power source without the need for a power inverter.
All devices listed below have been found to work without issue directly from a 11v – 14.4v power source. Some devices listed were designed for this purpose, others were not. I will put an exclamation ( :!: ) next to any device that works but was not designed for that purpose. I list the devices that are designed for that purpose just for the sake of a more complete list of devices I run from 12v.
These devices are ones I have no experience with, but know they exist and are designed for 12v automotive use, many of which are meant for long distance truck drivers.
Over the years I have found that there are not many batteries that can’t be charged from a 12v power source with just a little creativity. In the future, I will better describe how I charge each of these types of batteries from 12v, but for now, I will simply list them. Warning: each of these batteries needs to be charged with a charger of some sort. Do not attempt to charge them by directly connecting the battery to the 12v power source
All devices listed below have been found to work from a variable 11-14.4v power source when using a DC/DC converter between the source and the device. Some of these devices require a boost converter, some require a buck converter, and some require a boost/buck converter. I will further clarify all all of these details as I develop this list.
I list these devices here because, being 5v, they are all super easy to run from 12v using a DC/DC buck converter or simple USB cigarette lighter adapter.
Footnotes