How do you make a battery pack for a desktop computer?

Answer 1

A desktop computer plugs into the wall and runs off of 115 volts AC. Making a battery pack for a desktop might be a bit of a challenge. Challenge is good, but why not use an off-the-shelf solution? The UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is designed to operate a 115 volt AC device (usually a computer) for a while if main power goes out. The UPS has a plug that plugs into the wall, a battery or group of them, the support circuitry, and a place to plug in whatever it is one wishes to protect from an outage. Normally the UPS shunts power through itself to the device being protected and keeps the battery pack topped off at the same time. When power fails, the electronics pick up on this and power is immediately drawn from the battery pack and converted into AC, which is then delivered to the device being protected. The battery pack isn't designed for extensive use, but only to provide power for a short interval to give a computer user time to save work and shut down safely. By the *careful* adaption of a larger battery, one could make a desktop computer at least somewhat portable. There might arise *serious* problems if a large battery is adapted to a small UPS, run down a long way, and then plugged back in to be charged. Remember that the original electronics package in the UPS was designed to charge the small battery pack in the unit, not any car battery or other big power pack strapped into it. If a severely depleted oversized battery is attempting to charge using the UPS charger (which was designed to charge a small battery) *serious* electrical failure could occur. As to the computer, it might be possible to trim some power usage. Look at the monitor and compare power consumption on different monitors. Smaller is better and older CRT types are usually worse than newer LCD or plasma ones. None of this is to be considered a blueprint for any construction projects but as a basic brainstorming exercise to begin an understanding of a problem and peek at a possible solution. Don't get stupid with this one. A UPS has some pretty nasty voltages at work inside. And we've become largely unaware of the danger of what is offered from a simple duplex receptacle. Your kitchen toaster can toast *you*. Any UPS can become a lethal device when tinkered with, even by someone with some basic knowledge of electricity. It can kill. It can kill you.

They do sell DC power supply's which would do all the work for you and you would just have to have a 12v DC power supply like a car battery and your ready to power it!