Electronic's whizz's - is safe to use?

thedoc46 · 18 Apr 2012 at 21:21

I have a TDK boombox, and want to know if this spare AC adapter I have will be ok? I don't know enough about electronics, and I don't want to damage it by trying it out to find out for myself.

The following AC adapter came with the boombox.

Input is AC 100-240v -50/60hz 0.85A
Output is DC 18v 1666mA 30VA

I have a spare AC adapter that has the same end and reads.

Input 100-240v 50/60hz 1.0A
Output is 19v 1.58A

I know the 100-240v and 50/60hz is fine, but what of the other specs?

It would be nice to have a spare AC since the proper one is hard to get in and out, where its at.

godinman · 18 Apr 2012 at 21:25

The voltage should be fine, it's only a volt out, is there a little diagram showing if the centre pin is positive or negative, it is quite important to get that right.

thedoc46 · 18 Apr 2012 at 21:44

godinman said:
The voltage should be fine, it's only a volt out, is there a little diagram showing if the centre pin is positive or negative, it is quite important to get that right.

Not sure which little diagram. Do you mean the one with the two circles, and the one in the middle a semi circle?

Dunks · 18 Apr 2012 at 21:54

Looks fine, center pin is +'ve and outer ring is -'ve on both.

Dano · 18 Apr 2012 at 22:02

Dunks said:
Looks fine, center pin is +'ve and outer ring is -'ve on both.

Is that not standard? I'd always just assumed they all adhered to a similar standard :eek:

Luke · 18 Apr 2012 at 22:10

Nope, it can be either, and often adapters can be reversed by swapping the tips.

thedoc46 · 18 Apr 2012 at 22:22

Sorry guys, you're confusing me.. Will this damage my boombox ? yes or no ?

martynpd · 18 Apr 2012 at 22:24

more voltage is better than less voltage. 1v wont make much difference

PapaLazaru · 18 Apr 2012 at 22:42

Just out of interest, but is it any good? Looks da' bomb. :cool:

Dr.EM · 18 Apr 2012 at 22:42

Probably going to be fine. In your position I'd 'risk' it personally.

bloodiedathame · 18 Apr 2012 at 22:50

martynpd said:
more voltage is better than less voltage. 1v wont make much difference

Not quite, if you plug a 12v charger into something that takes 3v you can probably kiss goodbye to whatever that was. It is current that doesn't matter, as the appliance will only draw what it needs. Voltage is the push!

bitslice · 18 Apr 2012 at 22:59

AC adapter isn't CE marked,
that means you and any innocent children who happen to be walking by, will be engulfed in a huge fireball as soon as you start playing your illegally downloaded music.

May I have all your stuff?

RomanNose · 18 Apr 2012 at 23:01

bloodiedathame said:
Not quite, if you plug a 12v charger into something that takes 3v you can probably kiss goodbye to whatever that was. It is current that doesn't matter, as the appliance will only draw what it needs. Voltage is the push!

Well if it has a step down regulator, it's better to have a small over voltage than under voltage.

bloodiedathame · 18 Apr 2012 at 23:04

RomanNose said:
Well if it has a step down regulator, it's better to have a small over voltage than under voltage.

Now you've gone over my simple head.

Tomsk · 19 Apr 2012 at 16:46

thedoc46 said:
Sorry guys, you're confusing me.. Will this damage my boombox ? yes or no ?

Possibly.

The increased voltage might result in an increased current draw.
The combination means more power going throught the components which could result in their failure.
The replacement PSU also has a lower maximum current than the original, so it too could fail.
The original PSU was designed for AV use and AV requires varying current demands. It appears your replacement is a laptop PSU which is more suited to a steady current demand.

If I were in your situation I would go for it. But I have a fairly carefree attitude to my own stuff anyway.

touch · 19 Apr 2012 at 17:16

bitslice said:
AC adapter isn't CE marked,

He doesnt live in the EU