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Trouble converting from battery power to DC adapter

Toolbox195

Mar 6, 2023
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Hello,

I am working to convert some battery powered lights to a DC power adapter. The light is powered by 3 aaa batteries and controlled by an on/off switch. The light is getting power from the DC adapter because it works perfectly when I toggle the on/off switch. But the light will not power on when I leave the switch in the on position and then power the lights.

The adapter has an output of 4.5 Volts and 1 Amp

Any ideas are appreciated!
Thanks
 

Martaine2005

May 12, 2015
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How have you connected the DC adapter?.
Sounds like the on/off switch is in series with battery wiring only.
What light is it?.
Edit: When you toggle the switch, the light works.
Does the light work properly on batteries?. If not, the switch is faulty.

Martin
 
Last edited:

Alec_t

Jul 7, 2015
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What sort of light? Incandescent or LED? If incandescent then the surge current at power up may exceed the output capability of the adapter, resulting in it shutting down.
 

Toolbox195

Mar 6, 2023
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The DC adapter uses dummy batteries and a wire to connect directly to a wall outlet.

The lights are lightsabers that I have mounted to a wall in my game room. The intent is to have them turn on/off via a smart plug rather than manually toggling the switch on the light. There are leds inside the light.

When I toggle the switch the light and sound works perfectly. Same as when I put the regular batteries back in.
 

Martaine2005

May 12, 2015
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Don’t use the dummy batteries.
Go direct to + and - of the full 4.5V.

Martin
 

Harald Kapp

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Nov 17, 2011
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The DC adapter may not turn on when fully loaded (lights on). The current surge may put it into overload mode and turn the adapter off. Have you tried another Dc adapter?
 

Toolbox195

Mar 6, 2023
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Thanks for all the ideas/suggestions.

Is there a beginners guide to connecting directly to the +and - ?

I’ve tried two different DC adapters but they are identical. Should I connect to one that is different?
 

Harald Kapp

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If the adapters you tried are of the same type, then the they will behave in the same way. Try another one.

Is there a beginners guide to connecting directly to the +and - ?
What do you mean by this question?
 

Martaine2005

May 12, 2015
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I think that question was for me.

Connect the DC adapter direct to the BLACK and RED, observing polarity!.
Then you don’t need dummy batteries.
 

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