Calling on electronics gurus... how to fab an AC adapter for my Party Q?

caliking · 01-04-2013, 07:57 PM

I bought my Party Q a while back off of craigslist. I have used it many times and like it for overnight cooks since it lets me catch some winks.But I am tired of changing the batteries all the time, since they only last for one overnight cook each time. I have power outlets near my cookers now, so I would like to power the Party Q by just plugging it in.

I thought this would be an easy mod. I soldered in a type M DC power connector to the positive and negative terminals in the battery case of the Party Q. Plugged in an AC-DC adapter 6V 300mA and turned it on - nothing happened. I tried another 6V 800mA adapter and it still didn't work. Both adapters were brand new from Radio Shack.

I'm pretty sure the polarity is correct. Any suggestions? Has anyone done this successfully?

wjwheeler · 01-04-2013, 09:20 PM

The 6 volts would be correct and the 800ma should be adequate. If it's been connected wrong you may have damaged the unit. Does it still work on batteries?

caliking · 01-05-2013, 12:01 AM

Yep - it still works with the batteries.

NorthwestBBQ · 01-05-2013, 03:38 AM

Buy rechargeable batteries and stop farking around is my advice.

wjwheeler · 01-05-2013, 08:03 AM

Rechargeable is definitely an option. The only problem is alkaline batteries are 1.5v and rechargeable are 1.2 - 1.25v. Even with a good set of rechargeable, 5 volts is the best you can get.
If you want more info you can PM me.

caliking · 01-05-2013, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthwestBBQ

Buy rechargeable batteries and stop farking around is my advice.

Thought about rechargeables but that wouldn't solve my problem - I would still be dealing with the issue of the unit possibly running out of juice if the batteries weren't topped up. The fan does run at lower speed/power when the batteries are running low ( but before the low batt symbol comes on). AC power would give it consistent juice throughout the cook.

yakdung · 01-05-2013, 01:54 PM

I would give these a try:
http://www.mahaenergy.com/batteries/

lola · 01-05-2013, 02:19 PM

First off you need to check the amp requirement on the DC motor. Some small DC motors have a large mA requirement. Some may go as high as 2 amps !! Hopefully there is a plate on the motor to help guide you. It sounds like you are not getting enough "power" from the adapter, you might have to step up to a charger to obtain what you need. If you have a good relationship with Radio Shack take it to them and see what they suggest.

DJnKY · 01-05-2013, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliking

I'm pretty sure the polarity is correct. Any suggestions? Has anyone done this successfully?

Just sayin

.... inner should be positive, outer negative

NorthwestBBQ · 01-05-2013, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliking

Thought about rechargeables but that wouldn't solve my problem - I would still be dealing with the issue of the unit possibly running out of juice if the batteries weren't topped up. The fan does run at lower speed/power when the batteries are running low ( but before the low batt symbol comes on). AC power would give it consistent juice throughout the cook.

Call Guru and ask them. You might void the warranty if you do this.

01-04-2013, 07:57 PM	#1
caliking is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-13-10 Location: Houston, TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Calling on electronics gurus... how to fab an AC adapter for my Party Q? I bought my Party Q a while back off of craigslist. I have used it many times and like it for overnight cooks since it lets me catch some winks.But I am tired of changing the batteries all the time, since they only last for one overnight cook each time. I have power outlets near my cookers now, so I would like to power the Party Q by just plugging it in. I thought this would be an easy mod. I soldered in a type M DC power connector to the positive and negative terminals in the battery case of the Party Q. Plugged in an AC-DC adapter 6V 300mA and turned it on - nothing happened. I tried another 6V 800mA adapter and it still didn't work. Both adapters were brand new from Radio Shack. I'm pretty sure the polarity is correct. Any suggestions? Has anyone done this successfully? __________________ EZ wood handled 3 wheeler \| OTS \| OTS mod to OTG \| Ladybug SS Performer \| UglyDrumTandoor \| UDS v1 \| midi UDS with red nipples \| SJG smoker mod \| Simpsons SJS \| Simpsons OTG \| WGA charcoal \| SJP \| Stacked brick WFO \| Lodge Logic Sportsman's Grill cast iron hibachi/sigri \| LBGE

01-04-2013, 09:20 PM	#2
wjwheeler On the road to being a farker Join Date: 05-30-11 Location: Cleveland TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The 6 volts would be correct and the 800ma should be adequate. If it's been connected wrong you may have damaged the unit. Does it still work on batteries? __________________ Bill Wheeler Cleveland TN competition team member Que'n Stew'n & Brew'n Southern Q Model 500 Water Smoker Jacks Old South Original Patio Smoker Jambo FEC-100 Bradley Smoker

01-05-2013, 12:01 AM	#3
caliking is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 01-13-10 Location: Houston, TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yep - it still works with the batteries. __________________ EZ wood handled 3 wheeler \| OTS \| OTS mod to OTG \| Ladybug SS Performer \| UglyDrumTandoor \| UDS v1 \| midi UDS with red nipples \| SJG smoker mod \| Simpsons SJS \| Simpsons OTG \| WGA charcoal \| SJP \| Stacked brick WFO \| Lodge Logic Sportsman's Grill cast iron hibachi/sigri \| LBGE

01-05-2013, 03:38 AM	#4
NorthwestBBQ somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-28-09 Location: Lynnwood, WA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Buy rechargeable batteries and stop farking around is my advice. __________________ Michael KCBS/PNWBA Member, Cook, CBJ & Photographer Custom Engraved Wine Barrel Lids

01-05-2013, 08:03 AM	#5
wjwheeler On the road to being a farker Join Date: 05-30-11 Location: Cleveland TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Rechargeable is definitely an option. The only problem is alkaline batteries are 1.5v and rechargeable are 1.2 - 1.25v. Even with a good set of rechargeable, 5 volts is the best you can get. If you want more info you can PM me. __________________ Bill Wheeler Cleveland TN competition team member Que'n Stew'n & Brew'n Southern Q Model 500 Water Smoker Jacks Old South Original Patio Smoker Jambo FEC-100 Bradley Smoker

01-05-2013, 01:54 PM	#7
yakdung is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 04-12-10 Location: Houston, Texas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I would give these a try: http://www.mahaenergy.com/batteries/

01-05-2013, 02:19 PM	#8
lola Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 08-20-11 Location: Emerald Isle NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	First off you need to check the amp requirement on the DC motor. Some small DC motors have a large mA requirement. Some may go as high as 2 amps !! Hopefully there is a plate on the motor to help guide you. It sounds like you are not getting enough "power" from the adapter, you might have to step up to a charger to obtain what you need. If you have a good relationship with Radio Shack take it to them and see what they suggest.