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Possibly Dumb Question re:Battery as a power supply

I have bought a new Clearaudio Performance DC Wood turntable.  I plan to drive to the dealer in Atlanta and pick it up next Wednesday.  I have seen the wall wart power supply which comes with the TT, and it is not a pretty sight.  Clearaudio sells an upgraded 12V battery and charger supply for "only" $1,200.00.  I don't wish to present myself as a parsimonious individual,  but $1,200.00 seems a bit steep to me.  I am wondering what problems would ensue if I bought a moderately sized (say 25 or 30 lbs.) , sealed, lead acid, 12V rechargeable battery; attached the proper wires to connect to the TT, and used it as a power supply.  When the battery runs down I could just take it to my workshop and use my electronic, automatic battery charger I use to recharge car, truck and tractor batteries to bring it back to full power.  As little current as the TT uses this shouldn't be too frequent a chore.  It is just a possibility, but if it is feasible I might try it.  I would really appreciate any and all comments, criticism or warnings.
kingharold
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,109 posts
 
@terry9
... I would never recommend connecting an expensive component to an unfused battery. And while doing that, why not protect the battery too? I mean, diodes don’t cost much ... But then again, I wouldn’t want to be accused of overthinking the OP’s investment.
I totally agree with you! I believe the Clearaudio smart power 12V is using a 1.6A slow blow fuse in line with the output for protection.
BTW, the goal of using battery as power supply is to improve sound quality and not for mobility or to save power, seems like adding a LDO regulator MIC29150-12 recommended by phoenixengr for over-voltage and over-current protection is not an bad idea after all.
kingharold OP
304 posts
 
Well......I almost feel that I got weak and wimped out, but after playing twenty-five or thirty LPs on the new Clearaudio Performance DC
Wood turntable with the Clearaudio Tracer tone arm and finding them to sound damned wonderful I decided to stick with a winner and go all Clearaudio.  A little while ago I ordered the Clearaudio 12V Smart battery power supply.  As I wrote on a previous thread on this forum the tt, tone arm and an Ortofon Cadenza bronze cartridge is a birthday gift to myself to celebrate my 72nd birthday, my first birthday without my Mary since 1967.  I didn't want to cheap out.
lewm
12,461 posts
 
Like a wealthy friend of mine often says, it's easiest to write the check.
terry9
2,214 posts
 
I think that you made a good decision. DIY is possible, but it has its costs in time, uncertainty, and risk.

Enjoy!
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