SHNITPWR 12V 15A 180W Power Supply Adapter

I purchased this transformer to power an outdoor audio system that required 12v 5A. This transformer was the perfect fit. Connecting the wires is very easy and there is a cover to protect the connector screws. Two sides are enclosed to help with mounting. Several areas on the transformer include integrated heat dissipation features. Overall it’s small but simple to setup.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The unit I purchased is one that is rated to provide 12 V DC with a compliance current of up to 15 A.

My application requires 12 V DC at 6 A, continuous duty. I choose power supplies that are rated for continuous load currents that are at least `twice` what I expect to need. In my case that would be 12 A. So this 15 A unit was selected on that basis.

The supplier was named `SNT-POWER` in my order details page. When you get close to placing an order on Amazon, you can find out who is supplying the unit. Sadly, in my opinion, that is the only place where you can actually validate the Amazon name of the supplier.

(I’ve been flummoxed in the past, reading reviews, where it comes out in the wash that they are talking about a product that was either from a different supplier or had different nameplated capabilities, different from those on the page I had loaded. I don’t understand how that happens. But it does. So I wanted to be crystal clear.)

MECHANICAL OBSERVATIONS ON RECEIPT

The unit includes a switch inside the framing. (The framing must be removed to gain access to the switch.) This switch MUST be set to the mains power you expect to supply the unit, which can accept either a nameplate voltage of either 110 V AC or 220 V AC. I received the unit with the switch set to 110 V AC, so I didn’t need to alter its setting. But this inspection is very important. DO NOT FAIL to make this observation and validate the setting for your application.

The unit I received was in very good shape. It was clear to me that one of the mounting holes had been used (the scratches around the hole obviously were produced by the use and tightening of a screw, with some substantial force applied.) I can’t explain that. And another corner was very slightly bent. That may have happened in shipping. But it was otherwise in mint condition and I was happy to find the metal fabrication details as more than sufficient.

ELECTRONICS TESTING PERFORMED

I quickly powered the unit without a load and measured the output voltage using a calibrated Tektronix DMM916. It read 12.26 V DC. I then subjected the unit to a load slightly larger than I required, applying a 1.88 Ohm load and measured an output of 12.24 V DC at the terminals. For my application, this was already sufficient. So I left the available adjustment alone.

Very satisfied with this result!

SUMMARY

I placed the unit into service and it is working just as I hoped.

If I need another similar device, I will gladly order from this supplier. Good value!

The power supply seems to be a solid product and works well. It is very straight forward in its use and connection, although some basic electronics knowledge or experience is beneficial since there are no written instructions. The delivery issues I refer to are the numerous reports of damage to the unit, including the two that I ordered, while in transport. The packaging is a simple cardboard box that offers no packing or protection from bumps, drops or knocks. The first unit I received had significant bends in 3 corners of the metal housing. These dents were worrisome enough to me that I thought it possible there could be damage to the internal electronics. I opted to return this unit for a replacement. The second unit I received was also dented on two corners, but to a lesser degree. I have some electronics knowledge and decided to inspect this unit. It sustained no other damage than the external dents and worked as expected. The design seems fairly robust.

This item got shipped fast and was very well priced. I also like that the voltage coming out is adjustable as well as has a cooling fan built in

Works great

L’alimentatore non è di fattura raffinata, arriva in una scatola senza ulteriori indicazioni tecniche o fogli allegati. Fa pensare che sia fatto all’insegna di “quel tanto che basta”. Questo gli permette di avere un costo competitivo e, credo, di soddisfare la maggior parte delle necessità.

Una etichetta apposta su un lato dell’alimentatore indica che si tratta di un alimentatore da 12Volt con una corrente massima di 20 Ampere.
Avevo segnalato che per altri alimentatori del genere viene consigliato di non superare l’80% della potenza/corrente massima e ringrazio il venditore per avermi confermato che anche in questo caso è consigliabile stare entro l’80%, che sarebbe 196W/16A. Purtroppo questa dell’80% pare sia una pratica diffusa tra questo genere di prodotti ma in altri alimentatori a volte lo si trova indicato nella descrizione o altre volte in un foglio allegato. Voglio sperare che si siano ancora anche prodotti seri, verosimilmente più costosi, che indicano il carico che possono reggere continuativamente e magari hanno del margine.

È adatto ad alimentare impianti o apparecchi che funzionino a 12V. La corrente di 20(16) Ampere è il massimo da non superare ma l’alimentatore va bene anche per apparecchi che richiedano meno corrente.

Una peculiarità di questo modello è che utilizza un raffreddamento solo passivo, per cui non produrrà rumore, mentre il modello superiore, da 360W(290W?) è dotato di ventola.
Un selettore accessibile dal fianco permette di scegliere tra una tensione di alimentazione di 110 o 220V.
Il voltaggio d’uscita è variabile tra 10,2V e 13,8V attraverso un trimmer posto a fianco della morsettiera ma un po’ verso l’interno, che è accessibile ma non tanto.
Un LED verde a lato della morsettiera indica lo stato di funzionamento.
Ha delle asole e dei fori che possono servire per il montaggio su una superficie.
La morsettiera prevede tre morsetti per l’alimentazione (terra e due poli) e sei morsetti d’uscita per il 12V, permettendo di connettere separatamente tre coppie separate di fili.
Ora non ho un impiego gravoso dove poter testare la sua potenza, e non ho neppure esperienza circa il suo comportamento a lungo termine. Se il carico previsto dovesse essere prossimo ai 200W, magari è meglio utilizzare un alimentatore che abbia più margine.