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-   -   power adapter... will it explode? (https://www.diybanter.com/electronics/69018-power-adapter-will-explode.html)

Jim Rex September 23rd 04 12:20 AM

power adapter... will it explode?
 
Hello,

I have a pair of speakers that need a 13V and 2A DC power adapter or wall
wart. I lost its wall wart and found a wall wart for another device, which I
have no idea what its for.. it gives out 15V and 400mA DC.

The power adapter I found said on its back that it must not be used with any
other device except..[some brand name]...

Now, I used it with the pair of speakers and it worked!!! Now, i'm worrying
that this configuration could cause it to explode or something....

Will it do any harm???

P.S. (im cross posting to two newsgroups...)

Thank you



DesignGuy September 23rd 04 02:22 AM


"Jim Rex" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I have a pair of speakers that need a 13V and 2A DC power adapter or wall
wart. I lost its wall wart and found a wall wart for another device, which

I
have no idea what its for.. it gives out 15V and 400mA DC.

The power adapter I found said on its back that it must not be used with

any
other device except..[some brand name]...

Now, I used it with the pair of speakers and it worked!!! Now, i'm

worrying
that this configuration could cause it to explode or something....

Will it do any harm???

P.S. (im cross posting to two newsgroups...)


The speakers if they indeed need 2A to operate may damage the 400mA adapter.
The extra 2 volts may or may nto harm the speakers, though likely not. Your
best bet is to find a 12V 2A adapter since 13V is not a common value. Try
Radio Shack or various online merchants such as DigiKey.





Robert Baer September 23rd 04 09:22 AM

DesignGuy wrote:

"Jim Rex" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I have a pair of speakers that need a 13V and 2A DC power adapter or wall
wart. I lost its wall wart and found a wall wart for another device, which

I
have no idea what its for.. it gives out 15V and 400mA DC.

The power adapter I found said on its back that it must not be used with

any
other device except..[some brand name]...

Now, I used it with the pair of speakers and it worked!!! Now, i'm

worrying
that this configuration could cause it to explode or something....

Will it do any harm???

P.S. (im cross posting to two newsgroups...)


The speakers if they indeed need 2A to operate may damage the 400mA adapter.
The extra 2 volts may or may nto harm the speakers, though likely not. Your
best bet is to find a 12V 2A adapter since 13V is not a common value. Try
Radio Shack or various online merchants such as DigiKey.


It would be far better to use a 12V adaptor with that 2A rating.
Most analog wall warts are unregulated, and they all put out more than
their rated voltage even at full rated load.
In your case, the load may be more than its rated 400mA, which may be
saving your speaker system; the load may be large enough to drop the
voltage down to a safe level.

SolarWind September 23rd 04 11:21 AM

"Jim Rex" wrote in message ...
Hello,

I have a pair of speakers that need a 13V and 2A DC power adapter or wall
wart. I lost its wall wart and found a wall wart for another device, which I
have no idea what its for.. it gives out 15V and 400mA DC.

The power adapter I found said on its back that it must not be used with any
other device except..[some brand name]...

Now, I used it with the pair of speakers and it worked!!! Now, i'm worrying
that this configuration could cause it to explode or something....

Will it do any harm???

P.S. (im cross posting to two newsgroups...)

Thank you


If you don't like to locate another 13V 2A DC power adapter, the
following way may solve your problem:

To find 3 1N4002 power diode in serial with your power adapter before
the plug,
each diode will drop 0.7V DC, and 2.1V for 3 diodes total, the diode
cost is very low, you can find it in any electronic component shop:

----------
| | + 1N4002 x 3 each
--| Power |---------|---|---|-------- To plug +
--| Adapter | _ 15V DC 12.9V DC
| |----------------------------- To plug -
----------|

The load of adapter is depending on the volume output of speaker, you
can touch the plastic case to feel the temperature, warm is OK, but
not hot.

N. Thornton October 6th 04 08:11 PM

(SolarWind) wrote in message . com...
"Jim Rex" wrote in message ...
Hello,

I have a pair of speakers that need a 13V and 2A DC power adapter or wall
wart. I lost its wall wart and found a wall wart for another device, which I
have no idea what its for.. it gives out 15V and 400mA DC.

The power adapter I found said on its back that it must not be used with any
other device except..[some brand name]...

Now, I used it with the pair of speakers and it worked!!! Now, i'm worrying
that this configuration could cause it to explode or something....

Will it do any harm???



It depends on the real voltages, not the marked ones. real ones are
often a fair way removed from what it says.

You may fry your wall wart, but if you keep the volume down to .4/2
times max it should be ok. Pulling 2A from a .4A wart is a bit
optimisitc.



To find 3 1N4002 power diode in serial with your power adapter before
the plug,
each diode will drop 0.7V DC, and 2.1V for 3 diodes total, the diode
cost is very low, you can find it in any electronic component shop:


just 2 tiny tech details:
1 rectifier diodes typically drop 1-1.5v on load, 0.6v is just the
turn on knee.
2 we dont know what the real Vs involved are


NT


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