Meade 18V power supply as a charger?

I have a vintage LX200, and field power is always an issue. I currently
run a 120V converter off of a 12V battery, then use the AC - 18V Meade power
supply. It's not very efficient.
I recently found six 6V sealed batteries and I thought to combine three
to give me an 18V battery, and another for reserve.
The problem is how to charge them? Anyone have any thoughts as to
whether I can use the Meade AC power supply as a charger to charge these
batteries? I obviously don't want to burn out my power supply, so I'm hoping
to hear from people who would have some knowledge as to if my idea will
work. I know there is a Meade 12V - 18V adapter, but being out of work for
some time I would like to work with materials on hand.

TIA,
Bruce

s? I obviously don't want to burn out my power supply, so I'm hoping
to hear from people who would

The current requirements will probably exceed the current rating of the Meade
charger. To verify this check the current specifications on the charger. If
the 6V sealded batteries are of the motorcycle type then they will require 10
to 15 amps. I use 12 V motorcycle batteries and after an evenings outing my
charging rate is 15 amps. My charger also has a 6 V charge output and was
bought from Sams outlet for about $30.

"HAVRILIAK" wrote in message
...
s? I obviously don't want to burn out my power supply, so I'm hoping
to hear from people who would

The current requirements will probably exceed the current rating of the
Meade
charger. To verify this check the current specifications on the charger.
If
the 6V sealded batteries are of the motorcycle type then they will require
10
to 15 amps. I use 12 V motorcycle batteries and after an evenings outing
my
charging rate is 15 amps. My charger also has a 6 V charge output and was
bought from Sams outlet for about $30.

The Meade 18-volt converter delivers about 1 amp. Also, crucially, it has
nothing in it to limit the current. If the battery tries to draw 15 amps
the converter will fry.

"HAVRILIAK" wrote in message
...
s? I obviously don't want to burn out my power supply, so I'm hoping
to hear from people who would

The current requirements will probably exceed the current rating of the
Meade
charger. To verify this check the current specifications on the charger.
If
the 6V sealded batteries are of the motorcycle type then they will require
10
to 15 amps. I use 12 V motorcycle batteries and after an evenings outing
my
charging rate is 15 amps. My charger also has a 6 V charge output and was
bought from Sams outlet for about $30.

The Meade 18-volt converter delivers about 1 amp. Also, crucially, it has
nothing in it to limit the current. If the battery tries to draw 15 amps
the converter will fry.

"HAVRILIAK" wrote in message
...
s? I obviously don't want to burn out my power supply, so I'm hoping
to hear from people who would

The current requirements will probably exceed the current rating of the
Meade
charger. To verify this check the current specifications on the charger.
If
the 6V sealded batteries are of the motorcycle type then they will require
10
to 15 amps. I use 12 V motorcycle batteries and after an evenings outing
my
charging rate is 15 amps. My charger also has a 6 V charge output and was
bought from Sams outlet for about $30.

The Meade 18-volt converter delivers about 1 amp. Also, crucially, it has
nothing in it to limit the current. If the battery tries to draw 15 amps
the converter will fry.

"HAVRILIAK" wrote in message
...
s? I obviously don't want to burn out my power supply, so I'm hoping
to hear from people who would

The current requirements will probably exceed the current rating of the
Meade
charger. To verify this check the current specifications on the charger.
If
the 6V sealded batteries are of the motorcycle type then they will require
10
to 15 amps. I use 12 V motorcycle batteries and after an evenings outing
my
charging rate is 15 amps. My charger also has a 6 V charge output and was
bought from Sams outlet for about $30.

The Meade 18-volt converter delivers about 1 amp. Also, crucially, it has
nothing in it to limit the current. If the battery tries to draw 15 amps
the converter will fry.

s? I obviously don't want to burn out my power supply, so I'm hoping
to hear from people who would

The current requirements will probably exceed the current rating of the Meade
charger. To verify this check the current specifications on the charger. If
the 6V sealded batteries are of the motorcycle type then they will require 10
to 15 amps. I use 12 V motorcycle batteries and after an evenings outing my
charging rate is 15 amps. My charger also has a 6 V charge output and was
bought from Sams outlet for about $30.

s? I obviously don't want to burn out my power supply, so I'm hoping
to hear from people who would

The current requirements will probably exceed the current rating of the Meade
charger. To verify this check the current specifications on the charger. If
the 6V sealded batteries are of the motorcycle type then they will require 10
to 15 amps. I use 12 V motorcycle batteries and after an evenings outing my
charging rate is 15 amps. My charger also has a 6 V charge output and was
bought from Sams outlet for about $30.

s? I obviously don't want to burn out my power supply, so I'm hoping
to hear from people who would

The current requirements will probably exceed the current rating of the Meade
charger. To verify this check the current specifications on the charger. If
the 6V sealded batteries are of the motorcycle type then they will require 10
to 15 amps. I use 12 V motorcycle batteries and after an evenings outing my
charging rate is 15 amps. My charger also has a 6 V charge output and was
bought from Sams outlet for about $30.

"Bruce" wrote in message
...
I have a vintage LX200, and field power is always an issue. I
currently
run a 120V converter off of a 12V battery, then use the AC - 18V Meade
power
supply. It's not very efficient.
I recently found six 6V sealed batteries and I thought to combine
three
to give me an 18V battery, and another for reserve.
The problem is how to charge them? Anyone have any thoughts as to
whether I can use the Meade AC power supply as a charger to charge these
batteries? I obviously don't want to burn out my power supply, so I'm
hoping
to hear from people who would have some knowledge as to if my idea will
work. I know there is a Meade 12V - 18V adapter, but being out of work for
some time I would like to work with materials on hand.

Not a good idea. A battery charger has to deliver the proper voltage (21
volts in your case, for three 6-volt lead-acid cells in series) and has to
have a current limiting element such as a resistor or light bulb.