Please add a category/sub-category for gen'l hdw questions

[Steven Ray]

The inclusion of a 'general hardware questions' category here would be a welcome addition, for inquiries such as 'how to match wall warts to their devices when they've become separated from them' (and have no identifying information linking them to the devices they go with -- which seems to be more the rule than the exception).

Such questions are relevant to music equipment, but there is no forum here that appears to be the 'correct' one for those kinds of inquiries.

Thanks.

[aww-de-oh]

for inquiries such as 'how to match wall warts to their devices when they've become separated from them' (and have no identifying information linking them to the devices they go with -- which seems to be more the rule than the exception).

is that an actual question, or just an example?

If it's a question: most, if not all wall warts will have the power rating listed on them (eg. 9v 1.5A .. which would mean 9volts 1.5amps) Look in the manual or lookup your gear to see what its' power rating is, but alot of the time it will be listed right at the power hookup on the back of the gear (usually in small print)

[nitten]

Well there is the general config forum, i would probably throw it in there, or perhaps just the newbie one, where most general questions goes anyway.

You probably won't see a new forum added, since Tweak sadly passed away some time ago, his nephew has been keeping this place alive since.

[Steven Ray]

for inquiries such as 'how to match wall warts to their devices when they've become separated from them' (and have no identifying information linking them to the devices they go with -- which seems to be more the rule than the exception).

is that an actual question, or just an example?

If it's a question: most, if not all wall warts will have the power rating listed on them (eg. 9v 1.5A .. which would mean 9volts 1.5amps) Look in the manual or lookup your gear to see what its' power rating is, but alot of the time it will be listed right at the power hookup on the back of the gear (usually in small print)

Thanks. Yes, it was an actual question. And I have a bunch of these orphaned wall warts -- it never occurred to me that there would be nothing on them that would identify the piece of equipment they go together with (some do, but most don't). Please excuse any lack of tech knowledge evidenced in the following (I admit to it beforehand):

- Are the two specs you mentioned all that matter -- i.e., the 'voltage' and 'amperes' ratings? (What about the 'wattage'?)

- Also, do both 'input' and 'output' power ratings have to be considered, or is only the 'output' important for matching wall wart to device?

Using one device/wall wart combination that I have as an example (no user manual available for the device), the specs I see are:

WALL WART:
Input . . . AC 120V 60 Hz 8.5W Output . . . DC 9V 500 mA

DEVICE (the one I think the wall wart goes with):
DC IN 9V (at the jack for the wall wart) DV 9V 500mA (on the back panel)

Does this combo look good to go?

Thanks again.

[aww-de-oh]

- Are the two specs you mentioned all that matter -- i.e., the 'voltage' and 'amperes' ratings? (What about the 'wattage'?)

- Also, do both 'input' and 'output' power ratings have to be considered, or is only the 'output' important for matching wall wart to device?

Using one device/wall wart combination that I have as an example (no user manual available for the device), the specs I see are:
WALL WART:
Input . . . AC 120V 60 Hz 8.5W Output . . . DC 9V 500 mA

DEVICE (the one I think the wall wart goes with):
DC IN 9V (at the jack for the wall wart) DV 9V 500mA (on the back panel)

Does this combo look good to go?

[disclaimer] I'm not an electrician.. but i recently went through finding a replacement for a lost wall wart. [/disclaimer]


OK.

the AC120v / 60Hz refers to standard US voltages (so it's safe for any standard US outlet*)

It means 120 volts Alternating Current (which is what comes out of a standard wall outlet) @ 60 Hertz (again, standard US electric grid thing) * *

The wall wart then converts that ^ AC to Direct Current [DC] (which your device is probably expecting) and steps it down to 9v/500mA (the 'mA' stands for "milliAmps". i believe there's 1,000 milliAmps in 1 Amp, if i'm not mistaken)

so, if if your wall wart has listed on it DC9v/500mA [Direct Current at 9 volts 500 milliAmps] and that's what your device is expecting, it's the right wall wart! (assuming the 'other end' of the plug fits your device! there's a shedload of "other ends" -- as that side of the plug isn't standard, unfortunately)



* i believe Europes electric grid is at AC 220 or 240v @ 50Hz

* * If you've had or heard of an 'Earth Loop' or 'Ground Loop' problem, there's no concidence that the tell-tail sign is a noise or humming sound @60Hz [or some multiple thereof]

[nitten]

* i believe Europes electric grid is at AC 220 or 240v @ 50Hz

Correct, which means that over here we got 50Hz hum, not 60.

[Steven Ray]

the AC120v / 60Hz refers to standard US voltages (so it's safe for any standard US outlet)

It means 120 volts Alternating Current (which is what comes out of a standard wall outlet) @ 60 Hertz (again, standard US electric grid thing)

The wall wart then converts that ^ AC to Direct Current [DC] (which your device is probably expecting) and steps it down to 9v/500mA (the 'mA' stands for "milliAmps". i believe there's 1,000 milliAmps in 1 Amp, if i'm not mistaken)

so, if if your wall wart has listed on it DC9v/500mA [Direct Current at 9 volts 500 milliAmps] and that's what your device is expecting, it's the right wall wart! (assuming the 'other end' of the plug fits your device! there's a shedload of "other ends" -- as that side of the plug isn't standard, unfortunately)

Thanks a lot. I took the plunge and so far nothing's blown up (& it even seems to be working).

Appreciate the help.

On the darker side of things, I don't think I'll ever really understand electricity.

[nitten]

On the darker side of things, I don't think I'll ever really understand electricity.

Don't worry, know the feeling myself and i'm sure plenty other people on here are in the same boat.
Lucky our electrical wizards like Aww-de-oh are always happy to help.

[iguana]

I'll let you guys in on a little secret. Even the guys who understand how electronics work don't understand why they work. Wrap your head tightly in duct tape and read up on quantum theory. Very weird stuff.

[aww-de-oh]

On the darker side of things, I don't think I'll ever really understand electricity.

Don't worry, know the feeling myself and i'm sure plenty other people on here are in the same boat.
Lucky our electrical wizards like Aww-de-oh are always happy to help.

LoL, i am pretty flipping far from an electrical wizard.. we do have a few here though! Where's ecc83?

I just happened to know the answer to that question (or at least enough to say it's OK to plug in! hehe).

[nitten]

(or at least enough to say it's OK to plug in! hehe).

Do you have any idea how hard it is for me not to take THAT out of context?

[Multiman]

Others more qualified will be able to elaborate but I'd say some basic guidelines would be:

Only use a DC power supply for a device that requires DC (likewise for AC)

Match the voltage delivered by the power supply to the requirements of the device.

Make sure the power supply can deliver enough (or more than enough) current (amps) for the device to draw from it.

Also, Watts = Volts x Amps

[aww-de-oh]

Also, Watts = Volts x Amps

see, i learn something new here everyday!

[Ken J]

I'll let you guys in on a little secret. Even the guys who understand how electronics work don't understand why they work. Wrap your head tightly in duct tape and read up on quantum theory. Very weird stuff.

Pi r round and not square. Cobbler r square. The theory of relativity is only relative if you care about it.

Hey iguana! You will get a different understanding of quantum theory depending on the color of the duct tape used.

[iguana]

Hey iguana! You will get a different understanding of quantum theory depending on the color of the duct tape used.

Not only that but it could be duct tape, masking tape, or painter's tape until you observe the roll!!

[aww-de-oh]

Hey iguana! You will get a different understanding of quantum theory depending on the color of the duct tape used.

Not only that but it could be duct tape, masking tape, or painter's tape until you observe the roll!!

Theorum #52 :
I say, if using duct tape for anything other than taping a duct... you should use Gorilla Tape instead! That stuff is wicked strong! (and will stick to stuff duct tape just falls off of)