Non-building question, but what the heck. Have a Sony digital camera and digital video camera. Power adapter for each has same plug. They look the same, so it’s easy to confuse them. Specs are almost the same. DC Out: 8.4V 1.5A. One has AC In: 100-240V 50/60Hz 23W, while the other is AC In: 100-240V 50/60Hz 18W.
Since the Out is identical, ya think they are interchangeable? What’s the practical implications of the 18W versus 23W on AC in?
Replies
Maybe efficiency in converting ac to dc? Since the output is identical, shouldn't be a problem using one for the other.
Do it right, or do it twice.
Watch the polarities. The plugs are commonly polarized and getting it wrong can destroy the equipment. One view holds that these plugs are standardized and so the polarities are the same. Another view is that some are not so care is needed. If the manuals or manufacturers web site tells you the polarities you should be able to check.
Universal transformers with adapters usually have a switch allowing the polarities to be reversed. A meter can be used to check the polarities but be careful. Use a common battery to make sure you know which lead is read by the meter when it reads positive or negative.
Otherwise as long as the output voltage is the same as the original equipment and the output amperage of the transformer is greater or equal to the amount needed there should be no problems.
I've been up near the North Polarity above the arctic circle. Is that what you mean? That's all I know about polarity. :)
The plug is a funky shape that only installs one way into the camera, so I couldn't get it backwards, for example. Is this what you mean?
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"Otherwise as long as the output voltage is the same as the original equipment and the output amperage of the transformer is greater or equal to the amount needed there should be no problems."
Within reason. Now this is wide range voltage range input converter so most likely it is switching power supply and the output is some what regulated.
But a basic wall wart rated at a few hundred mills is just a cheap transformer (or with rectifier if DC) and the unloaded voltage is often much higher than the voltage at rated load. They types might have a problem, but those are used with things like cordless phones, etc that don't draw much power.
Cloud
"The plug is a funky shape that only installs one way into the camera, so I couldn't get it backwards, for example. Is this what you mean?"
If you don't have a DC volt meter look on the cammer and other equipment at the socket. The polarity is often marked. My speaker phone has a Dot representing the pin of the connector and a line draw to one side with a circle with a minus sign. Around the Dot is a broken circle with represents the shell of the connector. A line from it goes to the right to a circle with a plus sign on it.
If both devices have the same markings on them showing the polarity then you can interchange them.
>If both devices have the same markings on them showing the polarity then you can interchange them.
Aha! The plug isn't round, but it does have + and - and it's the same on both, so...cool. Thanks!