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12V DC adapter - Have I blown my kit!??

Guys, please help me....

I have a piece of audio equipment (Firewire audio interface) that
requires 12V DC (1000mA)
I bought it in the states with a US adapter and step down convertor
(240->110). Everything was working fine until I thought I should go out
and buy a UK voltage adapter to replace the cumbersome setup of AC
adapter -> step down transformer -> US/UK plug.

I bought a '1000mA Variable Voltage AC/AC Adapter' with a 12V setting.
After plugging it in, the lights came on and then went out on the
device, andthen nothing! Is it because I bought an AC/AC adapter and
not AC/DC adapter?? Could this cause the kit to stop working?? Its
gonna be such a pain to try and return this to the store I bought it
from in the US (Im in London), any help would be seriously appreciated.

Regards,
Nick.
 
J

John Fields

Jan 1, 1970
0
Guys, please help me....

I have a piece of audio equipment (Firewire audio interface) that
requires 12V DC (1000mA)
I bought it in the states with a US adapter and step down convertor
(240->110). Everything was working fine until I thought I should go out
and buy a UK voltage adapter to replace the cumbersome setup of AC
adapter -> step down transformer -> US/UK plug.

I bought a '1000mA Variable Voltage AC/AC Adapter' with a 12V setting.
After plugging it in, the lights came on and then went out on the
device, andthen nothing! Is it because I bought an AC/AC adapter and
not AC/DC adapter??

---
Not only could it, I'm afraid that's what did it.
---
Its gonna be such a pain to try and return this to the store I bought it
from in the US (Im in London), any help would be seriously appreciated.

---
The bad news is that 12VAC is really 12VRMS, which comes out to a
voltage out of the adapter which alternates between 17 volt positive
and 17 volt negative peaks.

There is no good news, (unless the thing has reverse polarity
protection and all you've done was blow a fuse), and on top of it
all you've blown the warranty as well.
 
G

Greg Neill

Jan 1, 1970
0
John Fields said:
---
Too bad, looks like a nice unit.

Looks like they've got dealers in the UK, though, so maybe you can
get it repaired there?

Interesting. The spec says "Powered via DC supply or FireWire bus",
but the Closeup View of the rear of the unit shows a power connection
labelled for a 9V AC 1000mA supply.
 
Thanks John. That was an excellent reply. Very helpful. I know Ive got
no chance of getting it repaired under warranty, but it would be great
if I could get it repaired instead of paying another $400 for a new
one!! What do ya think?
 
J

John Fields

Jan 1, 1970
0
Thanks John. That was an excellent reply. Very helpful. I know Ive got
no chance of getting it repaired under warranty, but it would be great
if I could get it repaired instead of paying another $400 for a new
one!! What do ya think?
 
T

Tom Biasi

Jan 1, 1970
0
Guys, please help me....

I have a piece of audio equipment (Firewire audio interface) that
requires 12V DC (1000mA)
I bought it in the states with a US adapter and step down convertor
(240->110). Everything was working fine until I thought I should go out
and buy a UK voltage adapter to replace the cumbersome setup of AC
adapter -> step down transformer -> US/UK plug.

I bought a '1000mA Variable Voltage AC/AC Adapter' with a 12V setting.
After plugging it in, the lights came on and then went out on the
device, andthen nothing! Is it because I bought an AC/AC adapter and
not AC/DC adapter?? Could this cause the kit to stop working?? Its
gonna be such a pain to try and return this to the store I bought it
from in the US (Im in London), any help would be seriously appreciated.

Regards,
Nick.
Maybe the unit has reverse polarity protection. Since you supplied it with
AC instead of DC the polarity was reversed for 1/2 cycle. Open the unit and
look for a fuse near the input.
Also, Did you try the unit again with your original setup? You may have
cooked the adaptor instead of your unit. ( If you are lucky)
Tom
 
Jeez, Im astounded by how helful you guys have been. John, thanks for
the link I will contact them tomorrow.

Tom, yes, I have tried the original adapter but it doesnt work. And
there is no way I am going to open this unit up, Im just not confident
to do so!!

Thanks guys, you really have helped me. cheers.
 
P

Phil Allison

Jan 1, 1970
0
"Greg Neill"
Interesting. The spec says "Powered via DC supply or FireWire bus",
but the Closeup View of the rear of the unit shows a power connection
labelled for a 9V AC 1000mA supply.


** True - but the pic in the User Guide ( pdf file ) shows the same
co-axial socket labelled " 12V DC 1000mA "

No polarity markings are shown - very bad.




........ Phil
 
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