adapter if it goes up to 12V and 500mA but say on the back 6V(max). i'm confused. thanks in advance...
2006-09-20 05:44:26 · 7 answers · asked by blimeyoreily 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Other - Electronics
It might do 500mA at 6V, but only 250mA at 12V. Does it have a W or a VA rating?
12V at 500mA is 12*0.5 = 6VA - that is the "apparent power" which is the power draw as the adaptor feels it.
6V at 500mA is 3VA - a more wussy adaptor. What would that do at 12V? it would do 3/12 = 0.25A = 250mA.
The VA rating might be written in Watts (W). It's not the same thing but for these purposes, pretend it is.
So: it must mean either one of
1. "the 500mA can only be supplied if you want it at 6V; if you want more volts you must live with less milliamps"
or
2. "you can have your power at any voltage you set but the power draw must not be greater than 6VA"
If it's number 2 then you're fine.
By the way in terms of explosions etc, hairyloon is right. As long as you get your + and your - the right way round and don't set the volts too high, only the power supply is in danger. And most of them have thermal cut-outs so rather than die it will probably just go in a huff.
2006-09-20 05:51:30 · answer #1 · answered by wild_eep 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can buy any 12v power supply with many more amps if you wish. The equipment states it requires 500mA. You could even run it off a CB power pack rated at 12v @ 3A. The equipment will only draw the power required to run it. The only thing you would need to make sure is that the polarity is correct. In the same way, a car radio might need 3A power but your car battery would be much much more amperage than that. It only takes what it requires.
By the sounds of the adaptor you have its amperage goes down as the voltage goes up. 500mA or 0.5A is only guaranteed up to 6v thereafter the amps go down. as the voltage goes up. You require a better rated adaptor.
2006-09-20 15:50:36 · answer #2 · answered by my_pants_are_inside_out 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean 6W matt ?
If you have a variable power adapter that goes to 12V and the max current that fits your appliance requirement. You may go for it.
But keep in mind that you may stressing your variable power supply .
There should be plenty of wall mount adapter out there with 12V 500mA. It usually cost less than 10 bucks in those surplus stores.
Save your variable supply for better applications.
2006-09-20 12:50:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure that output of the adjustable power pack have 12V and 500 mAh, otherwise it will damage your appliance.
2006-09-20 12:50:08 · answer #4 · answered by jhangfk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably.
And if not it's most liktly that it just wouldn't work and won't damage anything and more likely that the power supply would fail, not the appliance.
2006-09-20 12:48:13 · answer #5 · answered by Hairyloon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try it... it will either work or not. I boubt very much ther will be any damage caused. It might screw the power supply up but that's the worst case. it most likely just wont work.
2006-09-20 12:52:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to Radio Shack (or something like that) you can buy adapters that you can change the voltage on.
2006-09-20 12:51:50 · answer #7 · answered by Andy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋