wal-wart power supplies

[lester]

Guys I have a couple of questions regarding separate plug-in power supplies. I have a couple of components that come supplied with plug-in, separate power supplies, one is rated at 12v 500mA the other at 12v 150mA.

My first question is:

Will there be a perceived improvement in performance if I use an alternate power supply that is regulated? I've seen a couple of inexpensive plug-in, regulated, adjustable voltage adaptors in hardware stores and am wondering what the benefits would be?



My second question is:

These plug-in regulated power adaptors from the hardware stores are rated to deliver 1000mA max, does this mean that it is too much current for my components to handle? Will they burn out? Get ruined? Considering they are marked at 150mA and 500mA respectively?

Or, does it mean that it can power components up to a maximum of 1000mA and is therefore safe to use at lower mA requirements such as those required by my small components.


(note: If these devices have an advantage over the stock, supplied power supplies then I will use two separate plug-in, regulated supplies one for each component)

TIA for any advice on this!

[Jon Agner]

better check first if the output of your wal wart is DC and not AC.

[dante]

Walwarts can output AC? I always thought only wall outlets can do that???

[Jon Agner]

Walwarts can output AC? I always thought only wall outlets can do that???

Dante,

Some walwarts only have step down transformers inside. I almost made a mistake before on my Cambridge phonostage. I thought it was already rectified DC.

[dante]

Thanks for the warning bro. I suppose the wal wart would say so if it is outputting AC?

[Gino]

The max power rating is the maximum current it can handle. Your system's current draw should be the same.

[lester]

The max power rating is the maximum current it can handle. Your system's current draw should be the same.

Thanks Gino, that answers question 2. I hope someone can shed some light on question 1.

[tony]

you can verify if it's ac or dc from the label on the wal-wart....

these gadgets have high unloaded voltage, it will drop to 12 volts when the specced current is drawn.....i will not be surprised if it has an unloaded voltage of say 15volts....

it is your load however that will will determing how low it will go with load, that is why going for regulated supply is definitely a good idea..it results in a cleaner and stable power supply....your gadget can definitely use it...

[Gino]

As for your first question, I don't think there will be improvement.

[lester]

you can verify if it's ac or dc from the label on the wal-wart....

these gadgets have high unloaded voltage, it will drop to 12 volts when the specced current is drawn.....i will not be surprised if it has an unloaded voltage of say 15volts....

it is your load however that will will determing how low it will go with load, that is why going for regulated supply is definitely a good idea..it results in a cleaner and stable power supply....your gadget can definitely use it...

Thanks for the short explanantion tony, I very much appreciate your opinion and guidance on this subject, cheers!