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500 ma universal adapter OK for a 300ma device ?

C

cd

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello.
I am want to get a universal AC adapter for several items I have around the
house. The one I am looking at has a current rating of 500ma.

One of the main items I want to use it on is a portable MP3/radio unit. But
it specs that the adapter that is an accessory item for it is rated at
300ma. Would the 500ma universal adapter I am interested in pump out too
much wattage ? The unit normally uses 2 AAA batteries.

Thanks!
 
K

Ken Taylor

Jan 1, 1970
0
cd said:
Hello.
I am want to get a universal AC adapter for several items I have around the
house. The one I am looking at has a current rating of 500ma.

One of the main items I want to use it on is a portable MP3/radio unit. But
it specs that the adapter that is an accessory item for it is rated at
300ma. Would the 500ma universal adapter I am interested in pump out too
much wattage ? The unit normally uses 2 AAA batteries.

Thanks!
No, it's ok.

Ken
 
R

Rich Webb

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hello.
I am want to get a universal AC adapter for several items I have around the
house. The one I am looking at has a current rating of 500ma.

One of the main items I want to use it on is a portable MP3/radio unit. But
it specs that the adapter that is an accessory item for it is rated at
300ma. Would the 500ma universal adapter I am interested in pump out too
much wattage ? The unit normally uses 2 AAA batteries.

It will only deliver as much current as the load calls for. If it was a
"real" regulated power supply, then it could have a much higher amperage
rating and still be OK to use.

The problem with the little wall-wart adapters is that they are
generally pretty simple / cheap. (Which is not a bad thing; cheap is
good.) However, their output voltage does depend somewhat on the load
that they are presented with. If it's too far below the rated load then
the voltage they deliver may sit at a level that's out of spec high for
the downstream components.

Using a 500 mA rated wart on a 300 mA rated load, you're probably OK.
Might want to check the terminal voltage while it's running. If it seems
too high (as in: your set the universal to 6 V but the voltmeter shows
it at 9 V) then it's probably OK to drop down a tap to, say, the "4.5 V"
setting if that produces a better match with the device that it's
powering.
 
J

Jerry Greenberg

Jan 1, 1970
0
As long as the voltage output is correct for your unit it is okay.
Infact a higher amperage rated unit will run cooler and probably last
longer. A device will pull the amperage it requires.

Just take note that the voltage output is correct for whatever device
you want to use with a supply.

Jerry Greenberg
http://www.zoom-one.com
 
C

cd

Jan 1, 1970
0
Thanks to everyone for their help!
Sincerely -
JCDeen
 
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