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CloudWatcher

(1,953 posts)
18. How to replace it ....
Tue Jun 9, 2020, 12:35 PM
Jun 2020

First of all, not all AC power adapters do exactly the same thing. If you look really closely at the bottom of the white brick, you'll see four very useful things written on it:

1) the input voltage and frequencies
2) the output voltage
3) the output amperage
4) the + and - polarity (aka tip/ring)

(1) The input voltage will be 110 volts or often a range of something like 100-220 volts if it's made to work either here or in Europe.

(2) The output voltage will be something like 6 volts or 12 volts. It's the DC voltage sent to the device.

(3) The output current (amperage) will be something like 2A (2 amps) or 1500 milliamps (1.5 amps).

(4) The tip/ring polarity is a funny drawing showing whether or not the center of the small plug is "+" or "-" (think of the ends of a battery).

Here's an example off the web, the center of the center part of the diagram represents the inside of the round plug:



So .. how does this help?

You need to just replace it with something that is compatible. A power adapter that has ...

1) Input voltage of 110 or a range that includes 110 volts (assuming you are in the US).

2) Output voltage that matches your device (e.g. 6 volts or 12 volts)

3) Output amperage that is at least as much as your old adapter output. E.g. if your old adapter says "1A" you can replace it with one that says "2A" or 1.5A.

4) Matching polarity on the plug (so you get the + and - showing up on the right parts of the connector).

An example power adapter:



- This example shows 100-240 volts input (at 50/60 Hz which is standard)
- With output volts of 12 Volts
- With output amperage of 2A (2 amps)
- With + on the center connector of the plug (see bottom left of the picture).

So you can either
1) find something compatible to buy on the web, or
2) find something compatible around the house (I keep a bucket of old adapters to reuse after the original device it attached to has failed .. the adapters often outlast the device).
3) get a generic adapter like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015PXUHYA

This has a switch that adjusts the output voltage, and changeable output plugs so you can use one that fits your device (and reverses so you can match the +/- polarity). Just read the fine print and make sure it generates enough amps at the output voltage you need

I wouldn't recommend trying to repair the existing cable. It's not worth the $ to hire someone to do it and perfectly good adapters are filling up the landfills as electronics get discarded.

Hope this helps!





Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I would go to a computer repair place if it can be fixed mitch96 Jun 2020 #1
Thanks. What would I call the thing I'm looking for on Ebay? LAS14 Jun 2020 #4
A/C adapter think4yourself Jun 2020 #7
Yes, it looks like an AC adapter. Just make sure the power requirement are the same... mitch96 Jun 2020 #20
Could you please look at reply #12? tia las LAS14 Jun 2020 #13
The 90 degree bend at the end of your chord may be tough Boxerfan Jun 2020 #2
Thanks much. What term do I use for an E-bay search? LAS14 Jun 2020 #5
Whatever the device is plugged into... Boxerfan Jun 2020 #10
Could you please look at reply #12? tia las LAS14 Jun 2020 #14
I wouldn't risk repairing it think4yourself Jun 2020 #3
And thanks to you, too. As I asked the other helpful responders, what term(s)... LAS14 Jun 2020 #6
AC adapter think4yourself Jun 2020 #8
Could you please look at reply #12? tia las LAS14 Jun 2020 #15
May I ask what this item actually does or what it is? discntnt_irny_srcsm Jun 2020 #9
First thing I (or any repairman) would do is apply a voltmeter (DMM, DVM, VOM, whatever) to the plug eppur_se_muova Jun 2020 #11
Could you please look at reply #12? tia las LAS14 Jun 2020 #16
Refining my question. LAS14 Jun 2020 #12
Both listed have more than enough amperage. Boxerfan Jun 2020 #17
OK, 200mA refers to the maximum current, and is the same as 0.2A (Ampere). eppur_se_muova Jun 2020 #19
Thanks so much!!! nt LAS14 Jun 2020 #21
How to replace it .... CloudWatcher Jun 2020 #18
I don't understand... LAS14 Jun 2020 #22
Input 110 CloudWatcher Jun 2020 #23
Latest Discussions»Help & Search»Computer Help and Support»Not about computers, but ...»Reply #18