How to Test and Troubleshoot a C.I.E. PTL-1 Power Supply Blowing Fuses

I have a C.I.E. Personal Training Laboratory Power Supply and i hooked it up to an auto cooler heater to keep my sodas cold. When i did hook it up it blew the PTL fuse. I replaced the fuse only to have it blown. Can any one help me to trouble shoot it? I'm not to good at circuit board testing. I have a digital and a analog volt meter that i know how to use. Also i have a Tek 466 DM44 Oscilloscope that i jest bought never have used an Oscope before.

Thanks in advance.

James

First thought: What is the power rating of the supply, and what is the power rating of the cooler ?
(Obviously we are thinking, perhaps you did not compare these two values before connecting the two items together ?)

If you are lucky (no I don't believe in luck, it's just a figure), you only need to disconnnect the two equipments *and then* replace the fuse.

Do you have a circuit diagram of the power supply ? If so, please attach it so we can see what kind of a beast we are dealing with.

What is your personal level of electrical/electronic knowledge or qualification ?
(This will help us to know where to pitch our answers and advice.)

Hi James,
first i do not know that type off power supply, so please provide more technical information.

To help check the following:
- make sure the power supply is in the 12 - 14 volt range.
- make sure to use DC and that the plus and minus are correct.
- Make sure that the power supply can handle the current draw from the cooler (4 to 5 Amp)

The coolers do not need complicated power supply's, i have seen a simple transformer diode bridge setup.

The rating is AC 120V 60Hz 15W the cooler 12V DC 10AMPS i wasn't thinking all i thought was that since it the cooler was 12 VDC and my power supply is 0 to 15 VDC+ to 0 to 15 VDC- that it would work. i do have the circuit diagram and my tech books there all buried in my storage unit some where haven't had time to go dig them out. i took a photo of the circuitry thats in the unit. my level is i studied DC Voltages and circuit. then i enrolled in an Electronic course in 1987 they enrolled me in AC circuit's i flunked the course. then in 1991 i enrolled with C.I.E. A.A.S.E.D. course did pretty well until i broke down had to put it on hold my last study was on transformers.
Thanks
James

Your PSU is rated at 15 Watts. Your cooler is rated at 120 Watts.

Result = instant death of PSU fuse. (Hopefully that's all.)

To run the cooler you need a PSU rated at 12 Volts *AND* minimum 10 Amps.
(12V x 10A = 120 Watts.)

I would recommend that you take advantage of the many online sites that offer free education in electronics.

Here are a few:

www.learnabout-electronics.org/index.php - Descriptions of components and principles, good diagrams, animations, & fault-finding techniques

http://www.satcure-focus.com/hobby/index.htm - Useful range of ideas tutorials circuits links etc

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com - a series of online textbooks covering electricity and electronics

http://electronics-for-beginners.com/links.php

http://www.hobby-hour.com/electronics/ - Teaching from basic principles, resistor code calculators, projects

http://www.radio-electronics.com - useful information and tutorials

http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/index.html - plus calculators & tools

well i jest got my PTL - 1 Power Supply working. i replaced the 4 diodes in the bridge rectifier circuit and replaced the transformer works great now. no more blowing fuses i used a 60 watt light bulb on the fuse connectors and the bulb didn't light so i knew i fixed my problem.
James