I bought this second hand set top box........

Jay1701 · 15 Nov 2011 at 19:38

and it works fine, but I have one minor problem, the plug is pretty huge, its called an IC regulator and it says 5V and 1200mA on it. I don't know what it does, but it has this red LED, which can easily be covered up with sticky tac. But it makes this annoying whining noise when I'm asleep is really annoying. I'm not sure why it does this. It has a big PASS sticker which means its from somewhere official.

Its a Digifusion box, what do I do about it, is it safe to keep on all night? and how do I stop the annoying noise and what is it?

Thanks

Jay1701 · 15 Nov 2011 at 20:22

decto · 15 Nov 2011 at 21:40

The big plug converts the voltage from 230V mains to the 5 volt the box needs to run.

The noise is from the voltage conversion process, there is no easy way to stop it other than to get a different power supply unit.

How loud is it?

Either plug it in further away so you can't hear it, or turn it off at night and save some electricity.

Don't cover it with anything to reduce the sound though as it will over heat.

AD

Tealc · 15 Nov 2011 at 23:11

5v@1200mA is hardly anything at all and should not be making any noise. Power supplies use capacitors and it is probably one of these that is vibrating and making the noise. You can't do much about it really, not unless you fancy cracking this supply open and detecting whats making the noise and replacing or remedying it.

It should be relatively simple to get an alternate power supply, maybe 5v at 1500mA or 2A off an auction site. You may even be able to get a 1200mA one, you never know.

What sort of plug has it got on it that plugs into the set top box? That's the most important thing really when sourcing a replacement.

Anything else on the label?

Jay1701 · 16 Nov 2011 at 15:02

Tealc said:
5v@1200mA is hardly anything at all and should not be making any noise. Power supplies use capacitors and it is probably one of these that is vibrating and making the noise. You can't do much about it really, not unless you fancy cracking this supply open and detecting whats making the noise and replacing or remedying it.

It should be relatively simple to get an alternate power supply, maybe 5v at 1500mA or 2A off an auction site. You may even be able to get a 1200mA one, you never know.

What sort of plug has it got on it that plugs into the set top box? That's the most important thing really when sourcing a replacement.

Anything else on the label?

Well its a massive plug and its really heavy, it has vents on the top and the side.
MW IC Regulator
model MD050S120
PRI 230V 50Hz 15.5W
SEC 5V 1200MA 6VA