[steinra]

I think the question comes down to how much are you trying to run?

If it is just the electronics to make sure everything is working, or running a free spinning motor, you may be OK, but you could run out of supply amps in a hurry.

The other thing to "strongly" warn about. There are parts of the electronics that will handle reverse polarity but NONE of the speed controllers do (jag, victor, talon) do. If someone clamped the charger to the supply terminals backwards and "poof" there they go. Really easy to do.

The battery connectors will not allow that to happen, so I would recommend just using the battery, or use a dedicated bench supply rather than the charger. And if using a dedicated bench supply use the Anderson power connectors so no backwards polarity can happen. Speed controllers are expensive (we had to replace 5 last year due to a sleep / sick student trying to rush the electrical without a double check from someone else before powering things up).

If you are just running the electronics and no motors, a good wall plug 12 volt power supply would be a good alternative to using the charger.

Also if just running the electronics, the battery will supply power for a long time before needing to be charged again.

Randy