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Topic: convert tooth brush charger to 12v - Small Converter Recommendations (Read 323 times) previous topic - next topic
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convert tooth brush charger to 12v - Small Converter Recommendations
I think I can just cut off the two prong plug to this spare Braun charger and splice on a 12 volt plug.  I do not have a grounding in electronics. Any issues before I get out the wire cutters and commence to destroying a perfectly good charger?  I would welcome feed back.
Really all puns aside, I do not know what I am doing.
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: convert tooth brush charger to 12v ... Help
Reply #1 –
Really? Is the appliance 110? I’m no expert here either, but there is not much hope of running an appliance designed for 110 to simply run on 12volt.

Why not get an inverter that runs on 12 volt and plug your appliance into the inverter.

I don’t think you’ll destroy the appliance in your attempt but the power cord will need surgery to reattach it to its partner.

Got my hands full right now. When you’re done there how bout lending me a hand?

Good luck with that.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: convert tooth brush charger to 12v ... Help
Reply #2 –
Hello John.

This information from elsewhere ...

 The following will cause damage to your device:
        Reverse polarity
        Higher voltage adapter than device rating
  
 The following will cause harm to your power cord or adapter:
        Reverse polarity
        Lower current adapter than device rating
  
 The following might not cause damage, but the device will not work properly:
        Lower voltage adapter than device rating
        Higher current adapter than device rating

The source:  Complete Guide to Using the Correct Charger or Power Adapter (and What...

Bottom line IMO ... probably not going to work as intended.   Since it sounds like you like your perfectly good charger, I'd not experiment with it.
Re: convert tooth brush charger to 12v ... Help
Reply #3 –
A 120v AC charger will not work on 12v DC.  Your best case is that it simply will not work.  The likely result is damage to the charger.  The worst case is a fire.  Do not attempt this. 

To run the 120v toothbrush charger, you need an inverter to change the 12v DV to 120v AC.  Some chargers require a true sine wave form to work, while most inverters do not provide a true sine wave.  In such a case, you may encounter poor or no function or heating of the charger using a poor grade of inverter.  Your best bet is to contact the manufacturer and ask about the requirements for an inverter.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB
Re: convert tooth brush charger to 12v ... Help
Reply #4 –
Our rechargeable Brauns have the electronics built into the charging base, so there is no practical way to convert them to 12-volts.
We tried Braun's battery-powered brushes but my dental hygienist wife found them to have less scrubbing power and immediately rejected them.
When dry camping, every four days we plug the chargers into a small inverter, usually mid-day, when the solar panels are producing.
Four to five hours brings the brushes back to full charge.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: convert tooth brush charger to 12v ... Help
Reply #5 –
"Our rechargeable Brauns "

Larry, would it be possible to share the model number of the approved toothbrush?


   Virtual hugs,

   Judie
Re: convert tooth brush charger to 12v ... Help
Reply #6 –
Thanks. I’m glad I asked.
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: convert tooth brush charger to 12v ... Help
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
When dry camping, every four days we plug the chargers into a small inverter, usually mid-day, when the solar panels are producing.

Mr. Wade ... do you have a suggestion for a small inverter, which is one (1) of the items missing in our LD and could be a great help.   Thanks in advance.
Re: convert tooth brush charger to 12v ... Help
Reply #9 –
Even smaller to charge a toothbrush. I've been using a 75 watt , plug into a cigarette lighter, inverter to run my 24" TV without a problem for years. This one ought to work fine. I bought a 200W Bestek to run a 24" TV, Blu-Ray or Dish Network receiver at the same time as the TV.
    75 watt. BESTEK Power Inverter DC 12V to 110V AC 75W with 3.1A 2 USB Ports
                                                                                 RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: convert tooth brush charger to 12v ... Help
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Ed & Margee  - 
do you have a suggestion for a small inverter, which is one (1) of the items missing in our LD and could be a great help.  Thanks in advance.

We have a 400-watt modified-sine wave inverter bought at Costco many years ago, purchased for my previous power-hungry laptop. It's overkill for brushes, each draws 1.3-watts or less than 3-watts for the pair.
The TV and DVD player use less than a 100-watts, so a 200-watt inverter would be adequate, with a sufficient margin of error.
The inverter is hardwired, with 8-gauge wire and a 40-amp fuse, once again overkilled but since it has worked trouble free for years, I would do it this way again. We also have a 150-wat back up inverter that plugs into a cigarette lighter plug.
A smaller inverter may use a little less power, we use the inverter so infrequently, the slight loss of power efficiency isn't a concern.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: convert tooth brush charger to 12v - Small Converter Recommendations
Reply #11 –
Despite the objections to the battery-powered Braun model from Larry's wife, we have been using them for years both in the LD and at our cabin, and find they are subjectively as fast and effective as our rechargeable ones at home. Just my opinion, but your choice...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: convert tooth brush charger to 12v - Small Converter Recommendations
Reply #12 –

Like Ron, I've been using Bestek's 75W inverter for years--I have several of them, in fact--for tasks such as charging my Philips Sonicare toothbrush.

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Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
 
Re: convert tooth brush charger to 12v - Small Converter Recommendations
Reply #13 –

On our travel the Sonocare toothbrushes are the most bulky electronic charging system we carry, so I changed for this- Aiyabrush Electric Toothbrush Rechargeable Sonic Toothbrush 6 Hours Charge Minimum 100 Days Use with 5 Brush Modes 2 Replacement Brush Heads,Black Amazon.com: Aiyabrush Electric Toothbrush Rechargeable Sonic Toothbrush 6...

It works like the Sonicare. All I need is a usb plug to charge.

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Paul
'92 Mid Bath