12v fuel pump to 240v - advice please

[Ratty]

This may be a stupid question (forgive me....I'm stupid about these things) but can you run a 12v fuel pump from 240v by connecting the wiring to a suitable plug-in transformer?
I've been trawling fleabay and the web and 240v pumps are a lot more expensive than 12v and usually much bigger than I'd need.
I want to build a sort of parts washer, I say 'sort of' as it's not actually for washing parts but would work in a similar manner. Basically I need a pump to circulate white spirit over a silicone mould continually for several days. It's to be an alternative to my usual method of complete submersion which I can use when the mould is too big to be submerged.
Are small fuel transfer type pumps like this ok for continuous use?
Any advice gratefully received.

 

[rtbcomp]

It says "continuous duty" so I would guess it's OK to run it continuously.

You could use a plug-in transformer if you can find one that supplies 4.5 amps at 12v, I tend to doubt it as it would be quite big.

I'd go for a 5A battery charger, or a bigger one with a hi-lo charging switch and run it on the low setting.

 

[busastars]

Might be a stupid idea but how about a fish tank pump. 240v and pump all in one, not sure if it will work though but is cheap.

 

[Ratty]

Hi artybee yes it does (say continuous duty) I didn't read it!! So, you'll have to explain (stupid remember?) how do I know what amps a transformer supplies? (not really understanding amps) I have a drawer full of transformers from various bits of equipment, two I'm looking at; one says 'output 12v 300mA 3.6VA' the other '12v 1250mA 15VA' the only bit I understand is the 12v bit!....having tried googling, am I right that the first is about 1/3 of an amp and the second 1.25 amps? (so not enough...)
I do have a very old battery charger which is 4 amp..too low? Would a (cheap) trickle charger work? If I have to buy a proper charger I might as well get a 240v pump as the costs soon add up. This one is reasonable but then I have to get the fittings to attach the pipes and where do I get those for goodness sake. Oh it's all very confusing

 

[graffian]

Or a central heating pump.

 

[Ratty]

Might be a stupid idea but how about a fish tank pump. 240v and pump all in one, not sure if it will work though but is cheap.

I was wondering about those, not really knowing how they are constructed, it would depend on whether any seals were either solvent proof or could be exchanged for ones that were. Rubber ones would just swell in white spirit.
Cheap enough but not if it only lasts half an hour!

 

[Ratty]

Or a central heating pump.

Another possibility I've considered, don't know much about them and curious as to why they don't seem to be offered for Bio-diesel pumping as they seem generally to be cheaper. You reckon it would do what I want?

ah..just realised that I didn't pursue that one as they pump water not heating oil so possibly the same problem as a fish tank pump

 

[busastars]

If you already have the 12v fuel pump then you could look at a laptop PSU, they range anything from 12v + also they tend to be quite high amps.

 

[Drains]

Rats, if it rocks your boat, you could have a trawl through ebays "electrical test equipment - power supplies" bit. Quite a few things that'll run a few amps, and variable vlotage from 0 to say, 20v. Good for running wee motors, also nice for doing things like polystyrene cutting with nichrome wire, for instance. I've done both with controllability at a budget price!

 

[Ratty]

Not got a pump yet busa, interesting idea...I shall have a google (unless you can point me at something suitable?)

 

[Drains]

Something like this (look great on the bench )

 

[Ratty]

Rats, if it rocks your boat, you could have a trawl through ebays "electrical test equipment - power supplies" bit. Quite a few things that'll run a few amps, and variable vlotage from 0 to say, 20v. Good for running wee motors, also nice for doing things like polystyrene cutting with nichrome wire, for instance. I've done both with controllability at a budget price!

AAAAAARRRGGGHHHH another minefield I'm getting cramp in my rearostat from sitting at laptop...where do I start? found the section and put in '12v power supply' but... I don't know what I'm looking for

 

[Ratty]

Something like this (look great on the bench )

ooo pretty! (shame it will be in an outbuilding), thanks Si, so putting 12v in my search wasn't helpful! Will watch this and try again (think we'll be eating in the pub tonight or chish n fips as it's my turn to cook....)

 

[busastars]

Almost forgot BUT most people got or know of a broken PC, the PSU inside there is 240v in 12v out and are high ratings, I've used them in the past for doing test work with car amplifiers.

 

[busastars]

Something like this (look great on the bench )

I bet that will get a fair few bids right at the end of the auction, would expect that to go for alot of money.

 

[voipio]

You could try one of these, with a vehicle cigarette lighter socket on the end.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=42702

Or one of these portable power packs(12V AND 240V!):

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=225153

Or if you have a 12V at 5A (or more amps) transformer get a bridge rectifier and connect the two terminals marked ~ to the transformer and the other two are marked + (positive) and - (negative). Bridge rectifiers from Maplin code AR82D or AR83F will do the job. You will need to bolt the rectifier to a heatsink, though a sheet of Ali a few inches square should be sufficient.

 

[voipio]

Or one of these (£7.99 buy it now):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12V-5A-TFT-LC...Accessories_PowerSupplies&hash=item1c1737c2ed

 

[rtbcomp]

Or one of these (£7.99 buy it now):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12V-5A-TFT-LC...Accessories_PowerSupplies&hash=item1c1737c2ed

best idea yet - a Towsure 6 Amp battery charger is about £20.00 and it won't have a regualted output.

 

[Ratty]

Or one of these (£7.99 buy it now):

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12V-5A-TFT-LC...Accessories_PowerSupplies&hash=item1c1737c2ed

Liking this one Voip (presume rtb that you meant this was the best idea yet)

Now then..can one of you electrical genius' explain to me the best way to wire the pump to it pretty please?

 

[busastars]

Liking this one Voip (presume rtb that you meant this was the best idea yet)

Now then..can one of you electrical genius' explain to me the best way to wire the pump to it pretty please?

Chop the end off and connect + to + and - to -

DC is simples it get all confusing with AC.