AC Adapter questions...
 

Hello,
I have this fiber optic christmas tree and it is missing the AC
adapter. The tree requires a 12 volt 2 amp AC adapter. I have a 12
volt 1.2 AMP AC adapter from a mini TV that fits and powers up the fan
and light but it doesn't seem to power the little motor that turns the
color wheel. The motor for the color wheel requires 12 volts and 1.5
amps. So I am wondering if there is some way I can adjust the
amperage of the adapter to 1.5 so the color wheel will turn. Any
suggestions? Thanks.

AC Adapter questions...
 

"Col.Phorbin" writes:

Hello,
I have this fiber optic christmas tree and it is missing the AC
adapter. The tree requires a 12 volt 2 amp AC adapter. I have a 12
volt 1.2 AMP AC adapter from a mini TV that fits and powers up the fan
and light but it doesn't seem to power the little motor that turns the
color wheel. The motor for the color wheel requires 12 volts and 1.5
amps. So I am wondering if there is some way I can adjust the
amperage of the adapter to 1.5 so the color wheel will turn. Any
suggestions? Thanks.

Yes, replace it with the properly rated adapter, or get a second adapter
to power only the motor. You can't "adjust" an AC adapter. :)

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AC Adapter questions...
 

Is there a problem if I just use the AC adapter I have? Will it burn
out or anything since it doesn't match? I don't have any other
adapters and I can't find any that match perfectly. The best I found
was a 12 volt 2.5 amp adapter for 40 bucks! Is going over in amps a
problem?

AC Adapter questions...
 

"Col.Phorbin" wrote in message
...
Is there a problem if I just use the AC adapter I have? Will it burn
out or anything since it doesn't match? I don't have any other
adapters and I can't find any that match perfectly. The best I found
was a 12 volt 2.5 amp adapter for 40 bucks! Is going over in amps a
problem?

No. it is like asking if a gallon jug is too big to put a quart into. It is
a question of capability versus requirement. The 2.4 amps is the capability.
You won't use more than your load requires so that you have extra unneeded
capacity. That is a good thing.

Charlie

AC Adapter questions...
 

Ok but what if I keep using the adapter with only 1.2 amps? Will it
burn out because the tree wants 2 amps?

AC Adapter questions...
 

On 17 dic, 15:51, "Col.Phorbin" wrote:
Ok but what if I keep using the adapter with only 1.2 amps? *Will it
burn out because the tree wants 2 amps?

probably. the tree draws more current than the adaptor can provide.

AC Adapter questions...
 

Thanks everyone.
I found a 12 volt 3 amp adapter but the motor still doesn't turn. It
must be busted. Any suggestions on how to determine if the motor is
really broken? Maybe I'll try to replace it with an old clock motor
or something.

AC Adapter questions...
 

On Dec 17, 12:11*pm, "Col.Phorbin"
wrote:
Thanks everyone.
I found a 12 volt 3 amp adapter but the motor still doesn't turn. *It
must be busted. *Any suggestions on how to determine if the motor is
really broken? *Maybe I'll try to replace it with an old clock motor
or something.

The clock motor sounds like a good idea. Definitely separate the
motor power from the tree power. If you can, measure the resistance of
the motor with a multimeter with the power off. My guess is that it
should be less than 100 ohms. If the measurement shows an open
winding, then replacing the motor is about the only option as
repairing those tiny motors is very difficult.

AC Adapter questions...
 

"Col.Phorbin" wrote in message
...
Thanks everyone.
I found a 12 volt 3 amp adapter but the motor still doesn't turn. It
must be busted. Any suggestions on how to determine if the motor is
really broken? Maybe I'll try to replace it with an old clock motor
or something.

Clock motors are very low torque, but might work depending on the weight of
the wheel.
You need something more like the motor that turns the plate inside a
microwave.
You might also try to take your motor to an electric shop and they might
take pity on you and fix it.

AC Adapter questions...
 

On 17 dic, 19:11, "Col.Phorbin" wrote:
Thanks everyone.
I found a 12 volt 3 amp adapter but the motor still doesn't turn. *It
must be busted. *Any suggestions on how to determine if the motor is
really broken? *Maybe I'll try to replace it with an old clock motor
or something.

are you sure the output needed from the adaptor is Ac and not Dc or
vice versa? this might explain the non-movement.

AC Adapter questions...
 

"b" wrote in message
...
On 17 dic, 19:11, "Col.Phorbin" wrote:
Thanks everyone.
I found a 12 volt 3 amp adapter but the motor still doesn't turn. It
must be busted. Any suggestions on how to determine if the motor is
really broken? Maybe I'll try to replace it with an old clock motor
or something.

are you sure the output needed from the adaptor is Ac and not Dc or
vice versa? this might explain the non-movement.

I was thinking that too. Most of the fibre optic lamps that I have seen
which have a colour wheel in, use a low voltage AC motor, so if the OP is
trying to use a DC supply, then the motor won't run.

Arfa

AC Adapter questions...
 

On Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:57:31 -0800 (PST), "Col.Phorbin"
wrote:

Hello,
I have this fiber optic christmas tree and it is missing the AC
adapter. The tree requires a 12 volt 2 amp AC adapter. I have a 12
volt 1.2 AMP AC adapter from a mini TV that fits and powers up the fan
and light but it doesn't seem to power the little motor that turns the
color wheel. The motor for the color wheel requires 12 volts and 1.5
amps. So I am wondering if there is some way I can adjust the
amperage of the adapter to 1.5 so the color wheel will turn. Any
suggestions? Thanks.

It's not like voltage on a universal adapater, which might have 12, 9,
7, 5, and 3. They didn't build a 1.5 amp adapter and then restrict
it to 1.2 amps. IF it doesn't run everything, it's not big enough.

AC Adapter questions...
 

On Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:19:37 +1100, Bob Larter
wrote:

On 18/12/2009 12:35 AM, Col.Phorbin wrote:
Is there a problem if I just use the AC adapter I have? Will it burn
out or anything since it doesn't match? I don't have any other
adapters and I can't find any that match perfectly. The best I found
was a 12 volt 2.5 amp adapter for 40 bucks! Is going over in amps a
problem?

Yes. You'll either blow its fuse, or cook it. Get the right adapter.

No. It's something like turning on the kitchen sink. The city water
company has enough capacity to fill 10's of thousands of sinks at the
same time, but only the amount of water your pipes and faucet will
carry come out of your faucet. Over-capacity is not dangerous.

Water company capacity (maximum output, quantity of water per unit of
time) is analogous to maximum amperage.


OTOH, water pressure that is much too high can make weak pipes leak or
burst, which is analogous to burning out an electrical device. (I
think it can make the toilet tank keep filling after it is full, and
maybe other things.) Water pressure is analogous to voltage.