Keep Your Old Power Adapters!!!

[@shawnp0wers]

Just a note, there is a lot of nuance to the barrel sizes. They generally get larger as power increases, but not always consistently, and not in a one-for-one voltage/amperage/barrel ratio. The good news is that while putting a barrel connector rated for lower power on a power supply rated for higher would be bad - the connector that *fits* into your device is ideally designed for the amount of power it draws. So it should be OK to splice it onto an adapter even if it’s an adapter capable of providing more amperage. (Cuz the device won’t draw more than its connector can handle, ideally) All that said, I am not a doctor. Or lawyer. Or licensed electrician. So be careful, and only use adapters made specifically for your devices, etc. This video is for educational purposes only, and, um… don’t try this at home?

[@messageobliquespe100]

Your advice at the end - I didn’t read it. My house has burnt down - thx 😂

[@Orange-Jumpsuit-Time]

So if a laptop power adapter/supply has the warning, "For use with information technology equipment only", I can just ignore that warning and use it to power anything as long as voltage matches, amps, and polarity are satisfied? Ex. using it to power any and all LED monitors, that certainly will not fall under the "information technology equipment" umbrella, and many other examples.

[@xrafter]

​@deependz3231 I am not en electrical either. However, I can tell you that if the power supply doesn't change voltage like some usb-c charger then you should be fine as long as the ampere is enough for your device.

[@manuelester7420]

​@@Orange-Jumpsuit-Timealways read the back pf the device you want to power. They have stickers or its engraved into the plastic, where the wire is coming out from. Same on all the adapters. The big block end that plugs into the wall usually has a sticker with all the input and output that that adapter provides. Input power is usually 110/120 volts and the output is whatever volts and amps it says. If the information is missing, you take a chance at messing up the thing you want to power.

[@ManBolo5432]

Really funny and refreshing! Smile

[@657449]

When you get a new item, label the charger so you know which one to use later.

[@jimdough2018]

Should have read that 30 years ago..

[@darbyl3872]

Yep. I just taped up 2 cords, black electrical tape with a "flag" hanging out. Find a silver sharpie (or white tape) and you're good.

[@glasshalffull2930]

At work, I also labeled removable battery packs because we had dozens of different electronics that had them. Also, the charging docks.

[@mk8to]

Boy do I wish I had been that smart!

[@kingbertie]

We all know it, but none of us do it... Or, we're always going to do it... later...

[@Counselor77]

I've been trying to convince my wife that I'm not a hoarder, I'm a parts monger.

[@iskrajackal9049]

How long have you been monging parts? 😂

[@Counselor77]

@@iskrajackal9049 Ever since I was little. LOL

[@iskrajackal9049]

@@Counselor77 🤣🤣👍

[@9sec93lx]

@@Counselor77 It happens...

[@thomasschwarting5108]

Me, I'm one those "ya never know" persons! Ya never know what it could be used for! Just use your imagination!

[@neilm9630]

Maybe the 27v charger you found with matching barrel, was the actual charger she lost. Huh.

[@grantm6514]

Let's face it, 'losing' her charger and then saving the day by 'finding' a suitable replacement in your junk pile is a smart way to end the "honey, why don't you get rid of all this crap" nagging forever 😂😂😂

[@Stewie4238]

Bippity boppity boo, you left your charger behind, now it’s mine too!

[@pavel9652]

Exactly. My experience is they almost never match, but sometimes it happens. Of course, have I had50 chargers and 50 devices, I would find matching ones.

[@trippmoore]

But he said it was of a higher amp rating. I can't recall ever having a device come with a power supply that could provide more amps than the device was designed to draw. The only one I have that kinda does that is a 12V 2A PSU that came with 2 UV led strips. It also came with a splitter for the PSU so you could plug in one or both led strips and the PSU could power them supplying either 1 or 2 Amps at the same time. Even thought the strips were discrete and could be use independently they were sold together as 1 "device" with a power supply designed to provide the exact amount of amperage that it needed.

[@chhansen9813]

Because that massager was a vibrator and it replaces him!

[@martinsylvest9845]

I love this. It confirms that I am far from being the only one saving these power supply's.

[@thomasschwarting5108]

You are NOT alone!

[@RonnieGibson-o1m]

Iv got lots of them

[@epiphonium]

I spent the last 25 years calibrating and repairing construction leveling lasers. I'm retired now and I must have 1000 ac adapter/chargers of almost any voltage. I keep thinking about sorting and pitching all the duplicates but haven't got around to it. yet.

[@d.p.9567]

I have a huge beach ball sized angry nest of wires and adapters going back since the 90s that talks back to me when I feel like chucking it into the trash saying “you’ll need me after the apocalypse.” 😂

[@SheriDin]

Same 😂

[@trippmoore]

Better hang on to that generator too or they will be only good as tiny boat anchors since your wall outlet won't be providing A/C. After the apocalypse they will be converted to providing N/C.

[@thomasschwarting5108]

That's why I hang on to those things!

[@Phil-oj5nr]

I am a model railway enthusiast. I bought three very expensive signals, followed the instructions wiring them, which stated 16v AC, but blew the first one I tried. To cut a long story it really needed DC “regulated” power which I had never heard of. I had a box full of old mobile ‘phone chargers, and found one that had 10v DC regulated output. I took off the barrel connector, found four fine wires, paired them up with solder, and voila my second signal worked! Most modern mobiles run on 5v DC via the supplied charger, but this one I used might have been for an old Nokia 918. I always knew those spare chargers would come in useful, and I will be able to use the newer 5v ones for lighting of buildings/ street lights etc. The draw very little current, so four or five on one wall plug, will not overload the circuits in the house, as they are a standard 10 amps. Note: This is in New Zealand, and will apply to Australia as well, but I believe UK houses are all wired for 10 amps. If in doubt consult your electrician.

[@Kellycreator]

That’s brilliant! I adore model railways! I had an elderly friend that had his set up to run around his loft and down to his study. I hate throwing things away! I’ve been known to use old cables to make papier-mâché models, they’re perfect for model scenery where you need extra support. 😊

[@Tom-gv2eo]

😮 U K mains power plugs hav max 13 amp fuse , but 3a, & 5a fuses should bused 4 radios, bedside lites , computers 'Ring mains' fuse box -30 amp.

[@Brandt85]

Exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks a lot for sharing!

[@Syzygist]

Unbelievable! I’ve got a storage bin of 20-30 power supplies ( including a 27vdc!) I’ve kept only because I’m not sure if I still have the device or not! I’m so glad to know I’m not alone. I’m a “keep everything organized tinker” and love to fix 😮anything broken or not working. It was frustrating to decide how to organize the power supplies, but I decided to organize by plug since that is the primary need! Thank you for helping me know I’m not a horder , or nuts!

[@fb341]

I totally agree! I have a large box of power supplies, sorted by voltage range in large ziploc bags. I can't tell you how many times I've gone in there to find specific power supplies.

[@nihilistic7840]

Stole the massager charger. Wife in trouble looking for charger. Magically produces suitable charger from cupboard. Next level wife management.

[@bipl8989]

Problem is they keep expecting that level of service.

[@nihilistic7840]

@bipl8989 trouble is there never any level of service that will satisfy them

[@bella-bee]

@@nihilistic7840hey guys don’t be nasty! You have foibles you’re not even aware of😉

[@ckeilah]

Stop dating Prince’s mother! 😜

[@303otto]

The first Brick is perfect for analog modular Synthesizers. 27V Power Supplys are mainly used by old Laptops. And if your polarity of your Barrel Jack Wallwart is wrong you can snap off the connector, reverse its polarity and solder it on again. Use shrinking tubes to seal the solderjoints and make them look professional

[@49erjohn]

Bingo!

[@nine7295]

I have never seen a laptop that used 27V input. And I have worked in IT since the 80s. I must have missed that brand or model, please tell me . I am eager to learn.

[@AndrewsGuitarChannel]

Your 120 volt a/c to 12 volt a/c adapters are for low voltage garden lights. The reason being is if you run d/c voltage through the underground wires you will cause the wiring to corrode.

[@pavel9652]

Why is this?

[@PickledAndFermented]

​@@pavel9652electrolysis

[@bornach]

They are also sometimes used in power supplies for modular synthesizers

[@karenlee6013]

Thank you. Interesting.

[@physiocrat7143]

​@@pavel9652 Electrolysis

[@hamiltzp]

This is consistent with what I was taught many years ago. I once worked at an industrial plant doing IT, and I had a couple of random power supplies and devices floating around. The electrical supervisor at the plant gave me this advice to match them up: 1. The voltage of the power supply needs to be within 1 volt of the device it's powering. Most devices have a tolerance they will operate within, so if you're 1 volt over or 1 volt under, it should be fine. He emphasized not to go more than 1 volt out of spec. 2. The amperage of the power supply needs to be equal to or greater than what the device draws.

[@ruthbuckley8607]

Yah, you answered my question. Cuz I have one to match up for my friends vacuum cleaner charger and it was 1 volt output off she needed 12 and it's an 11. The guy was saying you had to use the exact same voltage but I couldn't believe just because it was one off.

[@terry_willis]

I tape a label on each power supply body denoting which device it is for. Saves lots of time.

[@tambochannel]

Great idea! I like to write the volts and amps on them with a silver Sharpie… in a size I can see (without magnification)

[@wordzmyth]

I always plan to do thus. I think those white write on anything pens work too

[@wordzmyth]

Yes silver is a great idea

[@wordzmyth]

Power tools have high voltages

[@camcairns2584]

Also a good idea to figure out whether the output is isolated. The symbol is a square within a square. In theory you can link isolated otputs together in series to build up the voltage you need - just like batteries.

[@trippmoore]

The best info is always in the comments.

[@tzm1843]

It indicates "Class II" power supply -- double insulated AND electrically isolated from the AC mains.

[@rawbacon]

Throw em away? Dude I've been saving them for over 30 years.

[@JS50108]

😂😂😅😅 same here 😅

[@postalizeMike]

Yup, I have an army in storage

[@davem5308]

Scrap them for cash.

[@mikey88888]

thank you, i was confused if i needed to match the amperage or not and this has solved my problem

[@khanra17]

You should have searched about the amp requirement ! How did you search this video?

[@vegetablepolice1]

❤❤ trough Jesus crist I do believe all thing's are possible

[@johnnash4420]

Unfortunately current matching does matter. A larger power device with a higher current rating will output a higher voltage when the current drawn is less than the rated maximum output current. Voltage output specs for a power output device are correct for when the current output is at it's maximum. Often a device will not work with a larger power transformer because the device is only drawing a small current and the resulting output voltage is too high.

[@truthalonetriumphs6572]

​​@@johnnash4420 that's a poorly designed power supply... to let the voltage change based on the load ... most modern power supplies are regulated

[@bella-bee]

@@vegetablepolice1yes but we’re talking about some rules of physics that Jesus set in place, to use with brains he gave us, so don’t just plug and pray ! (Oh that’s quite good, I must remember that one!!😊)

[@asarcadyn2414]

So your wife’s 27v charger got lost and you happened to have one in your closet that you have no idea which device it originally powered. Hmmm.

[@irrichman]

Lol that's what I thought.

[@thomasschwarting5108]

So what? You had one that fit! Who cares what it went to originally?

[@hawaiiflowerchild3039]

They are called "FACIAL MASSAGERS" I'm sure you weren't jealous one time and accidentally lost her charger😂

[@jewelbriard5444]

I feel proud of my huge power adapters stash now .🤣🤣🤣 Great video , Thanks 👍

[@tonytfuntek3262]

Great tips, I also have boxes of wall power supplies. One thing I did notice is that even if the PS states 9 VDC 1 amp, I measured 11 VDC, that is under a No-Load condition. I've guessing some devises may be a little more tolerant with higher voltages. Thanks for the video.

[@OldSchoolDrifter]

The extra few volts is to allow for activation of the charging. Like your car runs at 12V but charges at 14V.

[@CoolDudeClem]

As an electronics hobbyist, theese are in-valuable when I need a quick and dirty way to power up experiments. Theyr'e also good for powering projects. For instance the home made amplified speakers I'm listening to this on are powered of an old laptop adapter!

[@theonetazman]

Great advice. I've been collecting them for around 10 years now. I agree with you. You never know if you might need one for what it was intended or to power something completely different. 💪🇺🇲🤘

[@1jrpb2]

Love the picture of Mr. Rogers in the background. ❤

[@Raymond-rr5iv]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and may we bow our heads in gratitude and appreciation being born in this abundant universe. Thank you for this great video. I was pondering the very topic and your video popped up out of my feed. And yes, I absolutely save all transformers. You never know when you're going to need... Thanks for clearing up that amp volt question.

[@kitgenz1114]

Please, do not give me permission to keep anything that I “might” need in the future.

[@thevanvirgin]

You have just stopped me from making a terrible mistake... I was so close, mere months away from maybe actually thinking about clearing out some of my adapters. Thank you. I will wind them gently and stow them safely.

[@trippmoore]

If you need the space for $20 you can get a variable 0-24V (or 48V for more money) DC power supply from Amazon with 40 different adapters. There are especially handy if you fix laptops that often don't have the original power supply. So many times I've gone though my big box of laptop power supplies and while I had many with the correct power rating the connecter the laptop expected was some weird ass one I've never seen before, or it had a standard 5.6mm connector but it needed 27V and I only had 24V or 48V and nothing in between.

[@thevanvirgin]

@@trippmoore I actually picked up one of those a while back, They're class! "Shnitpower" brand. Well handy

[@trippmoore]

@@thevanvirgin Yep that one is the shnit

[@linuxman0]

The AC power supplies are great when you need AC for electronics projects.

[@justaskin8523]

Thanks for the video, Shawn! It's been a year now since this video was made, and I wanted to share something I've observed. Fewer and fewer devices are being packaged with AC power supplies, even if the device has a USB-C "PD" port for additional power. Manufacturers are now just making these devices with USB ports, expecting you to use an existing adapter and a USB cable. Even old Apple adapters still work fine, even if you have to source a USB-A > USB-C charging cable.

[@a.wilson4380]

@Shawn Powers: I have tons of powers adaptors from dead or retired devices. I never discard them yet many people who dispose of a piece of equipment include the adaptor assuming it's unique to that item. I've found these days dc 5v or 12v have kind of become the standard like on computer power supplies. I would say 6v is the third most common voltage but the likes of 7.2/5v or 9v not so much now or days. I've done many adaptor splicing, soldering and heat shrink conversions. I needed a 5v 1amp adaptor recently for an audio converter (optical toss link to rca) but all my compatible 5v adaptors didn't have the correct jack so I chopped it off leaving enough wire for reuse later on and then did the same for a 9v which had the correct jack and now I have the required 5v 1amp power supply with the correct barrel. I keep the doner adaptors bare end for future repurposing either soldering on the correct jack if or when required or using a chopped off one.

[@messageobliquespe100]

Is that a metric or imperial Ton?

[@donquique1]

I do that too.

[@hermanhale9258]

What's the name for the kind of "AC In" on electronics (DVD recorder) that has a rectangle opening with two round male connectors in the rectangle? Two prongs. Do you happen to know?

[@a.wilson4380]

@@hermanhale9258 Figure 8 connector.

[@hermanhale9258]

@@a.wilson4380 Thank you!

[@dfu1685]

Thank you, thank you, thank you and again thank you! I have done plenty of home wiring yet understanding electrical devices and their power needs(beyond household wiring) was still very unclear to me. You’re helpful, short video helped me be more confident. I was not able to find much when I was searching for answers to issues that you covered. 👌🏼

[@KrotowX]

Indeed, found the usefulness of orphaned AC-DC PSUs long time ago. Good stuff to replace similar faulty power supplies and for DIY projects. Mind supported voltage and current though.

[@mannoamano9199]

Intresting...I found it very informative how you politely used the word massager instead of vibrator 😁😂🤣 for your wife's device let alone looking to power her up with 27 volts!!! wow! with that type of powerful vibration she must be one happy camper!

[@ginoasci]

This is a very much needed video for the DIYer. Thank you !

[@julianblock5436]

In my experience the 15V adapters are for charging the (nowadays) older style car jump starter packs that have a beefy SLA battery inside.

[@MarzNet256]

Cool. I have a pile of these. I hooked up my kids hot wheels loop track boosters at the battery springs to a 9V adapter. This replaced 6 D batteries. The thing ran and ran, cars never fell off, it was amazing.

[@robotname438]

this is such a useful video, thank you

[@pepeshopping]

The barrel size goes up with the power/amps needed. Do watch out for old ones as the capacitors will go bad not only with use, but time as well.

[@shawnp0wers]

It’s funny, I always debate on how far down the rabbit hole to go. I should pin a comment in case someone is less kind in their response. (The capacitor thing is interesting, and something I haven’t run into. But thanks for the info!)

[@messageobliquespe100]

@@shawnp0wersthe internal circuitry of these power adaptors have changed over time - Capacitors deteriorate over time & years in use - so adaptors will go “pop” eventually - & its the capacitors which is more than likely the first failure. It’s a huge rabbit hole & yes you should suffer & go down them all! 😂 Start with KZbin’s re fixing switch mode power supplies / replacing capacitors. You’ll love it!

[@xrafter]

​@messageobliquespe100 Yes. Capacitors seems to be the first point of failure for alot of power supply. Along with fuses maybe

[@davem5308]

Yep! Got a bag and a box full of an assortment. Use to scrap them with all my metals scrap. Yes, I occasionally rummage through them when I need one, and often find what I need. Thanks for the tips!

[@mrq6270]

Thanks for that! I didn’t realize that there was a positive/negative indicator on the adapter. I was always using a meter to figure out which was which.

[@teach5o]

Any chance of showing a video to demonstrate what your telling us. I’m a newbie at electronics but have the basket of chargers to back it up! Maybe a website to go to?

[@patrickdaly5068]

I was waiting for the “Don’t turn into your parents” guy to walk in and throw away all those chargers.

[@alanbotfield2308]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, very very helpful, I do keep all of my old adaptors and you have just confirmed I have not been wasting space, have a great Christmas

[@lastwordindicator]

When I was first learning about electric and electronic devices volts and amps were explained to me in a very easy to understand comparison. Look at it like liquid plumbing. The diameter of the pipe would be the amps, controlling how much electric can pass through, and the volts would be the pressure the electric is under. That kind of helps someone understand why volts really hurts and amps are really deadly. Both of them together at a high number really fry you.

[@CyclopathXx]

No wife will ever thank you for storing power supplies in your closet. I do and it drives the lady crazy.

[@sjsomething4936]

5:04 hmm, “because my closet full of power supplies is vast…” - did you just inadvertently admit to absconding the power supply and then giving your wife a replacement to justify your closet full of power supplies!? Well played good sir, well played. 😂

[@eddiepires3998]

Yeah Sean, I totally agree. These psu's will very often be useful for another device whose power supply has popped. The EU has forced mobile phone makers to standardize on the plugs and sockets (mostly USB) It is a pity notebook computers haven't gone the same way and seem to use many different plugs even though the charging voltage is almost always 19v and wattage 60 watts to 90 watts. Thats why the universal power supplies we can buy come with a whole array of different plugs !

[@nine7295]

I have been doing this and have collected boxes of them over the decades. But I watched the video because you said in the beginning you would tell us the reason why we should keep the old adapters, and I thought you had a special reason for the average people. I am very technical so I can do all that you mentioned in the video. But you didn't specify your audience in the video, so the assumption is for the average person. Maybe I don't know this, but are you assuming that the average person knows how to measure and test the voltage, current and plug sizes? And especially the polarity? What about slicing, soldering on a new connector or a pig tail with a connector (wire to wire)? What tools do they need? And how to learn the hand skills? I have been doing this for 40+ years and I still find soldering wire and the connector cumbersome and time consuming. Are you saying that it's worthwhile for an average person to do this themselves without any experience? Have you considered any alternative means for an average person, such as hunting down a replacement adapter on the market? eBay is full of used ones for cheap prices, for example. I thought you had a very unique reason for this and it turned out to be a self fulfilling prophecy for yourself. Nothing wrong with your video or your content per se. I just don't really see the point as it only preaches to the converted (like me).

[@lorettacaputo6997]

Thanks for assuring me that I am not alone with that big box of adapters that I keep moving from place to place. Yes, I do look thru this box at times for a usable device.

[@zebbity]

Ha!!! ..and this, ladies and gentlemen, is what us hoarder types tell ourselves..😂 i used one one time, it was beautiful i tell ya!!🤣 great little informative vid, thankyou 😊👍

[@TheRealCoyote]

My number one reason for saving old supplies is not even the fact I can replace a broken one with it. That has happened, but not often. My numero uno reason is that I like to make LED lights. Both decorative and actual table lamps etc. It is very convenient to have a ready to go approved high voltage AC power supply and make the low voltage side myself to match. You can also often buy or even get free old laptop supplies for your high current draw designs from fleamarkets, or a local electronics repair guy who is drowning in these units. Just a tip 😊

[@mojooftheg5961]

No. The first thing to look for is does the plug match the device's power input?

[@nrwl23]

Many times the wires you snip and try to figure out which is positive, the wire with some kind of stripe (usually printed in white or yellow) is typically POSITIVE. The unmarked is usually NEGATIVE. That is what the dotted or solid stripe on your wire means. Also, still please check with a multi-meter. It is just a good clue to help.

[@johndelaney2957]

Also positive wire has writing stamped on it.

[@fernandodelrio4839]

It’s the opposite of what you said. The striped wire is negative.

[@zaugitude]

Truly! What we really need is a few dozen more barrel connector types and sizes; they put even iPhones to shame for lack of compatibility 🐒💨

[@DonaldMerrit]

I had the impression that you're going to tell us why we should keep them.

[@elvendragonhammer5433]

Best 3 I ever bought (2 were Targus)- 1 was 12-24 Volts & could output up to 90 Watts @ 0.5 up to 2.5 Amps, one was 24-60V & could output 230 Watts @ 2.5 to 8Amps, & both were mode switching international power supplies, worked with international sockets, & weren't much bigger than a standard laptop power supply for the time. It also came with 8 different jack adapters- the only disadvantage is the normal 2 pin type won't work if you lose the ones it came with, like I did as sadly they were proprietary- you have to resort to cable cutting. The last was an old Radio Shack 1.5 to 12V @ 1.2 Amps that could be switched between 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9, & 12v. All of them are almost 20 yrs old & still work fine. The 90Watt Targus is powering a HP Thin client, as it was the only plug I had that met the unusually weird power requirements it had.

[@novampires223]

I like to make garden guards out of old bits and pieces. My Nelly the Gnasher is 12 feet tall made of car springs and electrical boxes. Her eyes are old headlights with the bulbs replaced with leds. Her hair is electrical conduit, the flexible kind, and there is a colored led on the on each end. Medusa like hair. She holds a giant chainsaw in one hand. Her power to all the leds comes from a dc power block, when I built her 30 years ago an online forum said I could wire unlimited leds to this single adapter. Because of the low power draw. She is a bit famous actually, Pokémon go somehow found her on private property and had her as one of their points. Briefly as I raised hell with them for coming on private property. Oh, she was still glowing when we packed her up and moved. She is waiting, safely crated until I find the perfect spot for her. Leds are amazing.

[@daveshongkongchinachannel]

Thanks, I had some idea about this but you filled in the details and confirmed the bits I already knew.

[@AlanSamuel]

the problem with those adaptors is that for each one you happen to need some miraculous day, you have already accumulated about 10 of them... LOL

[@TushhsuT]

Several old power supplies got "old" and even not being used for long just broke. 12V one for example did deliver only 9V instead. Another one 24V have shown 25V, that is still fine, but dropped to 13 at use, and the current used was actually way lower than it should have capable of. So - you actually need to throw them away sometimes.. not every time, but better check it before usage.

[@Denise11Schultz]

Finally, someone saved my brother a call. 🤓🤣

[@EcoVintageArtGifts]

Thank you for this. My puppies ate through almost every power supply cord in the house. I have others. This fixes everything.

[@Kara_Kay_Eschel]

I was explaining this to my grandma a few years ago. I was asking her what is the voltage requirement on the device and what does it say on the wall adapter, what is the amperage on each, and then the kicker that she got lost on was the polarity of the plug and on the device.

[@sirlaw2930]

This is an outstanding video. Thanks. This my first video of yours.

[@maxwarfield6699]

Don’t know if you’ve experienced this but I’ve noticed that modern [last 5 years or so] power adapter, seem to put out more than the printed/required voltage. Example: I purchased a 9VAC [yes, AC] 1300mA adapter and before plugging it to the device, I tested it with a multimeter just to be sure and it was actually putting out +/-12VAC. This has happened to me, more than a few times. And it worries me because I know that, a device will dictate how much amperage it will take BUT voltage is like the pressure exerted upon a circuit, and to me [and my limited electronic knowledge] 3 extra volts being forced into a device, I would think, will overwork said device or at the very least, it’s voltage regulator, which in turn will shorten the life of the device or/if it doesn’t destroy it before. And some will say that voltage regulators can handle +/- 5Vs of difference, but I’m not an electric engineer so I wonder how safe, power adapters are nowadays… any thoughts?

[@shawnp0wers]

I think this might be partially to make sure there is a minimum voltage for devices requiring it. Some houses (here in the US) have voltage less than 110V at the outlet. But 9 -> 12 is a pretty big jump. Unless maybe you're one of the houses with above 120V? (My daughter's house has 124V at the outlet, which is weird) But it's anyone's guess, to be honest...

[@justgivemethetruth]

When connected and drawing current, the terminal voltage will decrease in proportion to the current being drawn. That is due to the internal resistance of the voltage source. Same with a battery. Like how you can measure a car battery and it might say 12 volts, but when you draw current from it the voltage cannot supply that much current and the voltage will drop.

[@norbert3511]

I just binned 5kg of cables and chargers that I kept saying for 13 years that one day I'll need them...

[@erajazz2134]

I have a small (about 12" x 4" x 3"), very old GE radio that's been connected to electricity for years though it was forgotten in the garage and rarely used. Today I unplugged it and realized it was connected to a universal AC adapter, which has 5 selections: 3V, 4.5V, 6V, 7.5V and 9V. Trouble is I accidentally moved to selector tab in the adapter and I now don't know which selection is the correct one for the radio. There is no label on the radio (maybe missing). Can you please help? Thank you!

[@blankblank9819]

I'm gonna trust what you say solely based on the fact that you have a picture of Mr. Roger in the background 😁.

[@Joedyna98]

Lol!!

[@StringDriver]

And green hair!

[@lindakingsley6765]

even if it say it supplies lets say 12v, it rarely is 12v it can vary greatly, I've had 12v adapter output 20v, so if you appliance is sensitive to the voltage you should check the output with a voltmeter

[@justgivemethetruth]

The voltage they give is usually with respect to the current being drawn.

[@jeanius123]

Thanks. I was wondering about supply that matched all the things but voltage. It was 9 volt and device was 6 volt. Your video helped me. Thank you! 😀

[@michaelmorales5234]

Shawn Powers , you are an encourager ! I could type in the You Tube algorithm and come up with 270 Videos ; theoretically .You made me filled with joy at how simple these power supplies are . Now ; Why the squint-print ratings ? You know why it’s not in white numbers ? 😅

[@AmirAkhlaghi]

I think that 27v charger that fit perfectly was the charger that came with the massager

[@trippmoore]

But the manufacturers are generally not in the habit of giving you a power supply that can provide more amps than the device requires because it would increase the cost which they would either have to eat or charge more and be outsold by their competition. It's a lose lose situation and any company that did that would not be in business for very long.

[@AmirAkhlaghi]

@trippmoore unless the design or stock of that supply was already there and the setup for building a whole new power supply with the lower amperage wasn't going to be profitable for them. It's a scale issue

[@KNKLHEAD]

Funny. Yes, I have all my power adapters and need to throw them away. But I will tell my wife what you are explaining in the video "but I might be able to use one some day!"

[@JuniperDustFarmBoy]

"we should never throw them away mu ha ha ha" "my collection is vast and wonderful" Dude you crack me up.

[@AlexSwanson-rw7cv]

There are exceptions to these rules. For example, I have Wahl beard trimmer with a 50mA power adapter that came with a warning to not use a different adapter including one that can supply more current. I assume they cheaped out on a chage controller and just rely on the low current to charge slowly and then trickle charge when the battery is full.

[@shawnp0wers]

That is... diabolically cheap, lol. I can't even imagine how long it would take to charge if the battery were fully depleted. And yeah, you are right, that would be a valid exception to the rule. It's a really annoying situation, to be honest, because especially if it's a Lithium Ion battery -- not having even a rudimentary charge controller seems like a bad idea in general.

[@AlexSwanson-rw7cv]

@shawnp0wers Fortunately (according to an Amazon review from someone who said they tore it down) it's a couple of low-end NiMH AAs inside. Can't remember what the specified charge time is but I leave it on charge for many hours but not overnight.

[@jamesallen8107]

Although keeping some transformers may be useful, this seems largely to be an excuse for clutter and disorganization. As someone else pointed out, a good rule would be to label these to what they're for as soon as possible. Then try to keep it with the device it powers. Then toss the transformer when you toss the device. Thankfully, many new devices are using more standardized usb-c or other USB chargers, reducing the clutter of non-standard power brick needs. If you feel the need to cover a variety of devices, there are switchable transformers available that put out 3, 4.5, 6, 9, 12 volt with multiple plugs that can be aligned to + or - center, and voila one transformer could work for multiple devices. Do you also have a drawer full of old serial and parallel computer cables? You might have noticed they're no longer in use. Most of us probably have clutter, I have some nostalgic clutter myself, but at some point we need organization and labeling, and then to know when to let go

[@dgoddard]

Yes. I have a couple of boxes of these chargers. No. I didn't have any idea of why I was keeping them other than I'm a hoarder. So I really appreciate this video. Thanks!

[@charanderson]

Fantastic video. Thanks for the info!

[@BengtNordsten]

When a device fails, I put the power supply in a box. I bought an old ART reverb (MR-1) at the guitar shop, which was cheap because it needs a 9VAC supply - and I knew I had one from a dead modem years ago. Standard replacements are DC. The lucky part was that the plug was the correct size. I paid $35, and now I can probably resell the pair for $100.

[@JugglinJellyTake01]

Most people have replaced landlines with mobiles. Old cordless phone make great battery chargers. They usually take two AAs or AAAs.

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

tHank you for the video and advice. I've tried the 12v adapters as battery chargers for car batteries. I'm experimenting. ( If you drive by my house and only see a foundation....and a bunch of chargers over the lawn......it Kaboooomed )

[@Kelly-uo5up]

I purchased one of the massager guns you referred to and the battery did not last long so I purchased another better quality one. I charged the newest one before using it and then plugged the old one in to charge. About 15 minutes later the old one exploded and caught fire as the battery blew up not once but twice. The charger for the new one was 24v and the old one was 12v. It was the same type of device, looked very similar and had the same barrel connector. I now suggest throwing away all you old transformers and only using the one that came with the original device !

[@racing_mntage1584]

Thats sad

[@racing_mntage1584]

Hope youre okay

[@GregStewartecosmology]

My 48v ebike battery came with a charger thats rated at 54v because they all overvolt a little when max charged. So I'm guessing that 27v charger is to charge a battery thats rated at 24v. That being said, you should have mentioned that over volting a lithium ion battery with a higher rated charger and batteries without a BMs is the most likely reason to cause a thermal runaway.

[@fibonaccisrazor]

This is why Electroboom has never produced a video on this subject - too safe 😊

[@uknowme1811]

Not shocking enuff!

[@davidpetersen1]

Reading labels and diagrams is cool. Cutting, splicing, testing??? Water's too deep.🤣🤣

[@Kellycreator]

I had a tumble dryer engineer come out four times. All of them blamed a faulty part. I just so happened to look up what extension lead I needed and to my glee, shock and horror, I’d been using an insufficient lead. I’m fortunate I found the fault and saved a fire…..

[@dionwolfinbarger680]

Glad to know that I’m not the only one that keeps all those crazy cords.

[@junebonville44]

I always keep my power plugs they come in handy for what you explaining been doing this at 10 years old now I'm 42 years friends and family thought I was hoarding wire nope cause when you lose your adapter plug I can match something up to work

[@balbirgill8203]

Man o man ! We have a box full of these did not know what to do...at least have some knowledge about those...exactly what we had problem with as you described...thsnks for this video.

[@eddiepearce5307]

Great video SO hypothetically you found an adapter that was 12v 3A it would work on a device that has an input of 12v 2A??????????? Since it would only pull 2A and the adapter can supply UP TO 3A?????????????????

[@RennieAsh]

Idk, i don't want to keep some _unregulated_ PSUs. If not drawing the stated current, it can output higher or lower voltage and pop things. Some switch mode psus also make irritating whining or fizzing sounds. Some connectors have reversed polarity. Of course you can always bare wire things or attach new connectors.

[@NathanMaharaj]

Bought a multi-headphone amplifier off eBay for cheap because they didn't have the power supply. It was to use as the office studio, and I just *knew* I'd find an 18v adapter with the right barrel size somewhere in a bin... And I frickin' did.

[@Sim-q9t]

I will suggest to anyone who can afford it it's cheap, just get a universal kit, with a multitude of sizes of plugs...and switchable polarity etc...Then you just have the charger you need, then wrap up the bricks not too tightly and bag them box them etc ut then you don't have to always dig thru a bunch of bricks. Plus usb c is now capable to cover any voltage and amperage u could need, most likely.

[@jeremycrisp4488]

We buy storage units and we have found conservatively at least 500 power adapters. I pick through and keep only ones that have high amp ratings. Goodwill gets the rest.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Good advice. Look closely before you buy a mixer or anything that relies on a PS. The input plugs can and will vary. Get beefy ones for better and tighter bass.

[@patricksweeney6334]

One caution on using a higher current adapter than a device or project calls for… e.g. your four amp adapter on a one amp device scenario. If the device fails in someway that produces a short… It will pull the full current rating from whatever is powering it. Something’s gonna cook. Liked the video, though… and the cartoon. Lol. My millennial son is already dreading that day. 🤣

[@harroldhenderson]

The cool thing I learned about power supplies is that you can connect a 9 volt and a 12 volt (pick your voltage) in series to get a 21 volt power supply or two 9 volt power supplies to get 18 volts.

[@calrob300]

Nothing in the video about checking the output of bricks. Sometimes they go bad and don't supply the rated voltage/current. Those you can send to the e-waste bin at the recycling center.

[@TheWebstaff]

2 years on and 6 boxes of wall warts later. Please can i throw some away now!

[@zoomosis]

I suspect most power "bricks" aren't regulated. While it might have a voltage written on the label the actual voltage supplied could be a fair bit higher, especially if the current draw is lower than the thing the power brick was actually designed for. A few volts over might be fine, but you never know. Just something to keep in mind. It's why I use a regulated 9V power supply for my guitar pedals.