Adapters muddled up for electronic devices after moving

413x · 19 Jul 2015 at 23:26

I've been digging out my electronic devices today in my new place
I have 3 logitech devices that are powered externally
I have 3 logitech plugs

All 3 devices are 8v 500mA
One plug outputs 5.5v - but it is badged with logitech

Problem is I'm not sure if this plug was or wasn't attached.
Or if I've found it from somewhere else
Or if it was used originally, but wrong all along

Unfortunately all have the same shape connection.

I was under the impression voltage should be absolutely correct for the device

kPATm · 19 Jul 2015 at 23:34

Think voltage should be correct but you can go lower on the amperage but NOT higher?

Dunks · 19 Jul 2015 at 23:38

kPATm said:
Think voltage should be correct but you can go lower on the amperage but NOT higher?

Voltage should be the same, but current can be higher as the device will just draw what it requires.

413x · 19 Jul 2015 at 23:40

kPATm said:
Think voltage should be correct but you can go lower on the amperage but NOT higher?

I know with the amps as long as the plug is more than the device it's fine as current can be thought of as 'up to'

I'm unsure as to the implications of voltage

413x · 19 Jul 2015 at 23:41

Dunks said:
Voltage should be the same, but current can be higher as the device will just draw what it requires.

This is what gets me
I'm thinking this incorrect plug has been used as they were all in the same bag. I can't think what other logitech devices I've had

Thekwango · 20 Jul 2015 at 00:17

OP reminds me of a funny (not at the time) story. First every PC, some TinyPc which came with a printer and scanner. Set it up in my digs at the time fine, few months later I moved and couldn't remeber which power cable was which. Eventually just thought, sod it, I'll try this one in the scanner first. Fitted fine so connected up the printer. Powered all on and scanner went pop! Didn't seem to bother the printer that it had the wrong lead connected to it.

I was devastated, even though I had used the scanner a total of zero times!

413x · 20 Jul 2015 at 00:26

Thekwango said:
OP reminds me of a funny (not at the time) story. First every PC, some TinyPc which came with a printer and scanner. Set it up in my digs at the time fine, few months later I moved and couldn't remeber which power cable was which. Eventually just thought, sod it, I'll try this one in the scanner first. Fitted fine so connected up the printer. Powered all on and scanner went pop! Didn't seem to bother the printer that it had the wrong lead connected to it.

I was devastated, even though I had used the scanner a total of zero times!

Not as bad as the tards that can't resist flipping that switch at the back of the psu!!

Mynight · 20 Jul 2015 at 01:33

I'm now single al4x said:
Not as bad as the tards that can't resist flipping that switch at the back of the psu!!

Someone did that at my school all the PCs were powered on via a breaker by the door. Teacher flipped the switch and loads of pops and 23 (iirc)PCs up in smoke

. Pretty sure they were all ok once the PSUs were swapped (and switches superglued

).

No idea who did it and thinking back I wonder how they all powered on when just the mains was turned on. We didn't have to press switches on the actual case :confused:

.

Rroff · 20 Jul 2015 at 01:39

^^ Depends on BIOS settings - you can have em set to resume to previous state after loss of power - which may be used to make it easier to roll out updates, etc.

EDIT: ma rating on power adapters doesn't really matter too much usually aslong as its sufficient however I believe with stuff charging batteries you may have a problem where the batteries when low can pull pretty significant current and if the charge circuit is rated for say 1000ma and intended for use with a similar charger and you have a significantly higher current capable power source it might cause issues if its not properly designed to handle that.

Mynight · 20 Jul 2015 at 01:41

Rroff said:
^^ Depends on BIOS settings - you can have em set to resume to previous state after loss of power - which may be used to make it easier to roll out updates, etc.

Argh I did not know that. Assumed it was something like that but didn't know.

Thanks.

neil_g · 20 Jul 2015 at 06:23

I'm now single al4x said:
Not as bad as the tards that can't resist flipping that switch at the back of the psu!!

I think I actually soiled myself thanks to someone who did that.

Tealc · 20 Jul 2015 at 07:28

Powering a 8v device with 5.5v will cause no issues, it just may not work.

Powering a 5.5v device with 8v would generally not be such a great idea but I doubt if it'd go pop with such a low voltage difference.

What devices are these devices anyway? Logitech do a lot of stuff.

413x · 20 Jul 2015 at 08:08

Tealc said:
Powering a 8v device with 5.5v will cause no issues, it just may not work.

Powering a 5.5v device with 8v would generally not be such a great idea but I doubt if it'd go pop with such a low voltage difference.

What devices are these devices anyway? Logitech do a lot of stuff.

This is what I hoped
Is just a remote for my htpc so only got charging

Rroff · 20 Jul 2015 at 14:09

Tealc said:
Powering a 5.5v device with 8v would generally not be such a great idea but I doubt if it'd go pop with such a low voltage difference.

Depends a bit - if its mostly discrete components they'll generally handle a wide range of voltages and won't be destroyed even if it malfunctions - but some ICs can have a much lower range of overhead and killed by anything much more than about +10% over their rating.

EDIT: One thing I find a bit odd is companies that have like a 1000 different products with <=12v/<=1000ma input with 500 different dc adapters - why not just do one standard 12v adapter and whack a cheap and cheerful voltage regulator on the input :S

mrk · 20 Jul 2015 at 14:13

Look closely by the jack socket on the device, you will usually find embossed/engraved numbering of the input voltage and amperage.

If not there then it will be on the serial number label. Just match them up...

rickjames · 20 Jul 2015 at 21:53

wrong thread

TheVoice · 20 Jul 2015 at 22:43

I'm now single al4x said:
Not as bad as the tards that can't resist flipping that switch at the back of the psu!!

My step-dad had to do that when he and my mum moved to Canada temporarily a few years ago. Unfortunately he forgot to switch it back when they returned. That was one dead Dell.