Are all DC 4.5V power sources the same (American, British, etc.)
Jun 2nd 2003, 10:58 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Are all DC 4.5V power sources the same (American, British, etc.)
Hi everyone,
I'm currently located in Britain.
I have an American Samsung MP3/CD player which is worth a lot to me; I
forgot its power adapter at home, and I busted my battery charger
(using a 1600W converter instead of a 50W one.... you bet I'll never
make that mistake again, which is why I'm writing this right now.)
Anyway. My player requires a DC 4.5V power source. I was wondering if
it was safe for me to simply buy a British 4.5V source, plug it into
my player and everything is fine, or I have to consider something such
as 50/60Hz difference or amperage (?!?) or European current being Ac
or... whatever else... that would prevent me using a British power
source. I have only very basic electricity knowledge.
Could someone please help? I'd rather use a wall power source than
batteries; anyway, I don't think I can use European batteries in my
player either, since American batteries are 1.4V and European ones all
seem to be 1.2V. Is that correct? (All that's specified on the player
is that it needs 3V, such as 2 AAA batteries.)
In any case, I'd very much like a response about the power source
(which will ultimately cost me less than 274 tons of batteries
Thanks a lot for your time,
GL.
I'm currently located in Britain.
I have an American Samsung MP3/CD player which is worth a lot to me; I
forgot its power adapter at home, and I busted my battery charger
(using a 1600W converter instead of a 50W one.... you bet I'll never
make that mistake again, which is why I'm writing this right now.)
Anyway. My player requires a DC 4.5V power source. I was wondering if
it was safe for me to simply buy a British 4.5V source, plug it into
my player and everything is fine, or I have to consider something such
as 50/60Hz difference or amperage (?!?) or European current being Ac
or... whatever else... that would prevent me using a British power
source. I have only very basic electricity knowledge.
Could someone please help? I'd rather use a wall power source than
batteries; anyway, I don't think I can use European batteries in my
player either, since American batteries are 1.4V and European ones all
seem to be 1.2V. Is that correct? (All that's specified on the player
is that it needs 3V, such as 2 AAA batteries.)
In any case, I'd very much like a response about the power source
(which will ultimately cost me less than 274 tons of batteries
Thanks a lot for your time,
GL.
Jun 3rd 2003, 12:19 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Are all DC 4.5V power sources the same (American, British, etc.)
"GL" wrote
| I'm currently located in Britain.
| I have an American Samsung MP3/CD player which is worth a lot to me; I
| forgot its power adapter at home, and I busted my battery charger
| (using a 1600W converter instead of a 50W one.... you bet I'll never
| make that mistake again, which is why I'm writing this right now.)
| Anyway. My player requires a DC 4.5V power source. I was wondering if
| it was safe for me to simply buy a British 4.5V source, plug it into
| my player and everything is fine, or I have to consider something such
| as 50/60Hz difference or amperage (?!?)
1. You do have to consider amperage. Your player will have a current
consumption (usually expressed in milliamps - mA) and your power supply must
be capable of supplying that without being overloaded. This will usually be
stated on the rating plate or next to the power input socket.
2. The power supply should also be regulated, so the voltage does not
fluctuate.
3. The polarity must be correct. There's usually a little diagram next to
the power input socket, showing whether the central pin/hole is +ve or -ve.
If you have a Maplin store near you (www.maplin.co.uk) they sell a wide
range of power supplies and should be able to advise - their shop stock
isn't always complete, but they will mail-order anything out of stock to you
without levying a P&P charge.
| Could someone please help? I'd rather use a wall power source than
| batteries; anyway, I don't think I can use European batteries in my
| player either, since American batteries are 1.4V and European ones all
| seem to be 1.2V. Is that correct? (All that's specified on the player
| is that it needs 3V, such as 2 AAA batteries.)
standard (alkaline etc) cells are nominally 1.5V and NiCD rechargeables are
1.2V, so sometimes rechargeables won't work in equipment not expecting them.
However, you'd be very unlikely to damage the equipment with the slightly
lower voltage.
HTH - if it doesn't try asking nicely on uk.d-i-y
Owain
| I'm currently located in Britain.
| I have an American Samsung MP3/CD player which is worth a lot to me; I
| forgot its power adapter at home, and I busted my battery charger
| (using a 1600W converter instead of a 50W one.... you bet I'll never
| make that mistake again, which is why I'm writing this right now.)
| Anyway. My player requires a DC 4.5V power source. I was wondering if
| it was safe for me to simply buy a British 4.5V source, plug it into
| my player and everything is fine, or I have to consider something such
| as 50/60Hz difference or amperage (?!?)
1. You do have to consider amperage. Your player will have a current
consumption (usually expressed in milliamps - mA) and your power supply must
be capable of supplying that without being overloaded. This will usually be
stated on the rating plate or next to the power input socket.
2. The power supply should also be regulated, so the voltage does not
fluctuate.
3. The polarity must be correct. There's usually a little diagram next to
the power input socket, showing whether the central pin/hole is +ve or -ve.
If you have a Maplin store near you (www.maplin.co.uk) they sell a wide
range of power supplies and should be able to advise - their shop stock
isn't always complete, but they will mail-order anything out of stock to you
without levying a P&P charge.
| Could someone please help? I'd rather use a wall power source than
| batteries; anyway, I don't think I can use European batteries in my
| player either, since American batteries are 1.4V and European ones all
| seem to be 1.2V. Is that correct? (All that's specified on the player
| is that it needs 3V, such as 2 AAA batteries.)
standard (alkaline etc) cells are nominally 1.5V and NiCD rechargeables are
1.2V, so sometimes rechargeables won't work in equipment not expecting them.
However, you'd be very unlikely to damage the equipment with the slightly
lower voltage.
HTH - if it doesn't try asking nicely on uk.d-i-y
Owain
Jun 3rd 2003, 12:30 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Are all DC 4.5V power sources the same (American, British, etc.)
"GL" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> American batteries are 1.4V and European ones all
> seem to be 1.2V. Is that correct?
No. Ordinary batteries at 1.5V and rechargeables 1.2V
news:[email protected]...
> American batteries are 1.4V and European ones all
> seem to be 1.2V. Is that correct?
No. Ordinary batteries at 1.5V and rechargeables 1.2V
Jun 3rd 2003, 3:25 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Are all DC 4.5V power sources the same (American, British, etc.)
On 3 Jun 2003 03:58:28 -0700, [email protected] (GL) wrote:
>I have an American Samsung MP3/CD player which is worth a lot to me; I
>forgot its power adapter at home, and I busted my battery charger
>(using a 1600W converter instead of a 50W one.... you bet I'll never
>make that mistake again, which is why I'm writing this right now.)
Ouch...
>Anyway. My player requires a DC 4.5V power source. I was wondering if
>it was safe for me to simply buy a British 4.5V source, plug it into
>my player and everything is fine, or I have to consider something such
>as 50/60Hz difference or amperage (?!?) or European current being Ac
>or... whatever else... that would prevent me using a British power
>source. I have only very basic electricity knowledge.
The main difference is that British mains power is 220 volts and U.S.
mains power is 110 volts. Some adapters are capable of using either
mains voltage but others are not. As long as your adapter is capable
of using 220 volt mains for input and produces 4.5 volts DC output
you're OK.
Make sure the adapter can supply enough current for your player. I
don't know the details of your player but would guess the supply
probably should be rated at 300 milliamps (mA) or more.
Oh, and also make sure the adapter has the right size and polarity of
plug to go into your MP3 player - there are a few different sizes of
plug so make sure to get the one that fits. Right next to the power
connector there's usually a cryptic little cartoon that has a dot in
the middle and a circle that goes nearly around it, with a positive
(+) or negative (-) symbol. This indicates the polarity of the plug.
Possibly the best thing to do is to take it to a knowledgable local
shop and just say "please give me the right thing..."
>Could someone please help? I'd rather use a wall power source than
>batteries; anyway, I don't think I can use European batteries in my
>player either, since American batteries are 1.4V and European ones all
>seem to be 1.2V. Is that correct?
No, that isn't correct. American and European (and Asian and African,
etc) AA batteries all are nominally 1.5 volts. Rechargeable batteries
(again, of whatever citizenship) actually generate more like 1.2 -
1.25 volts but this small difference is not important for most
applications.
I feel your pain; my MP3 player goes through 2 sets of batteries in a
transatlantic flight!
If you have any other questions just ask.
Exit left to Funway.
>I have an American Samsung MP3/CD player which is worth a lot to me; I
>forgot its power adapter at home, and I busted my battery charger
>(using a 1600W converter instead of a 50W one.... you bet I'll never
>make that mistake again, which is why I'm writing this right now.)
Ouch...
>Anyway. My player requires a DC 4.5V power source. I was wondering if
>it was safe for me to simply buy a British 4.5V source, plug it into
>my player and everything is fine, or I have to consider something such
>as 50/60Hz difference or amperage (?!?) or European current being Ac
>or... whatever else... that would prevent me using a British power
>source. I have only very basic electricity knowledge.
The main difference is that British mains power is 220 volts and U.S.
mains power is 110 volts. Some adapters are capable of using either
mains voltage but others are not. As long as your adapter is capable
of using 220 volt mains for input and produces 4.5 volts DC output
you're OK.
Make sure the adapter can supply enough current for your player. I
don't know the details of your player but would guess the supply
probably should be rated at 300 milliamps (mA) or more.
Oh, and also make sure the adapter has the right size and polarity of
plug to go into your MP3 player - there are a few different sizes of
plug so make sure to get the one that fits. Right next to the power
connector there's usually a cryptic little cartoon that has a dot in
the middle and a circle that goes nearly around it, with a positive
(+) or negative (-) symbol. This indicates the polarity of the plug.
Possibly the best thing to do is to take it to a knowledgable local
shop and just say "please give me the right thing..."
>Could someone please help? I'd rather use a wall power source than
>batteries; anyway, I don't think I can use European batteries in my
>player either, since American batteries are 1.4V and European ones all
>seem to be 1.2V. Is that correct?
No, that isn't correct. American and European (and Asian and African,
etc) AA batteries all are nominally 1.5 volts. Rechargeable batteries
(again, of whatever citizenship) actually generate more like 1.2 -
1.25 volts but this small difference is not important for most
applications.
I feel your pain; my MP3 player goes through 2 sets of batteries in a
transatlantic flight!
If you have any other questions just ask.
Exit left to Funway.
Jun 3rd 2003, 5:34 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Are all DC 4.5V power sources the same (American, British, etc.)
"Mark Hewitt" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "GL" wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > American batteries are 1.4V and European ones all
> > seem to be 1.2V. Is that correct?
> No. Ordinary batteries at 1.5V and rechargeables 1.2V
Correct. The battery voltages involved are set by the laws of physics and,
so far, these are the same on both sides of the Atlantic.
Michael Forrest
[email protected] - change to Friday to reply
news:[email protected]...
> "GL" wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > American batteries are 1.4V and European ones all
> > seem to be 1.2V. Is that correct?
> No. Ordinary batteries at 1.5V and rechargeables 1.2V
Correct. The battery voltages involved are set by the laws of physics and,
so far, these are the same on both sides of the Atlantic.
Michael Forrest
[email protected] - change to Friday to reply
Jun 3rd 2003, 8:20 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Are all DC 4.5V power sources the same (American, British, etc.)
"Forrest" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Mark Hewitt" wrote in
message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > "GL" wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >
> > > American batteries are 1.4V and European ones all
> > > seem to be 1.2V. Is that correct?
> >
> > No. Ordinary batteries at 1.5V and rechargeables 1.2V
> >
> Correct. The battery voltages involved are set by the laws of physics and,
> so far, these are the same on both sides of the Atlantic.
> Michael Forrest
> [email protected] - change to Friday to reply
It's true that most common rechargeable deliver a lower voltage than
ordinary batteries but there's not too much point in being very specific
unless you specify the type. A fresh single cell alkaline gives a measured
voltage of about 1.6V and a rechargeable NIMH delivers a little more than
1.3V. What a NICAD does I don't know but it's certainly true about the
universality of physics.
--
James V. Silverton
Potomac, Maryland, USA
news:[email protected]...
> "Mark Hewitt" wrote in
message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > "GL" wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >
> > > American batteries are 1.4V and European ones all
> > > seem to be 1.2V. Is that correct?
> >
> > No. Ordinary batteries at 1.5V and rechargeables 1.2V
> >
> Correct. The battery voltages involved are set by the laws of physics and,
> so far, these are the same on both sides of the Atlantic.
> Michael Forrest
> [email protected] - change to Friday to reply
It's true that most common rechargeable deliver a lower voltage than
ordinary batteries but there's not too much point in being very specific
unless you specify the type. A fresh single cell alkaline gives a measured
voltage of about 1.6V and a rechargeable NIMH delivers a little more than
1.3V. What a NICAD does I don't know but it's certainly true about the
universality of physics.
--
James V. Silverton
Potomac, Maryland, USA
Jun 4th 2003, 1:24 pm
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Are all DC 4.5V power sources the same (American, British, etc.)
Owain wrote:
> "GL" wrote
> | I'm currently located in Britain.
> | I have an American Samsung MP3/CD player which is worth a lot to me; I
> | forgot its power adapter at home, and I busted my battery charger
> | (using a 1600W converter instead of a 50W one.... you bet I'll never
> | make that mistake again, which is why I'm writing this right now.)
> | Anyway. My player requires a DC 4.5V power source. I was wondering if
> | it was safe for me to simply buy a British 4.5V source, plug it into
> | my player and everything is fine, or I have to consider something such
> | as 50/60Hz difference or amperage (?!?)
> 1. You do have to consider amperage. Your player will have a current
> consumption (usually expressed in milliamps - mA) and your power supply must
> be capable of supplying that without being overloaded. This will usually be
> stated on the rating plate or next to the power input socket.
Just in case it's not clear from this - it is perfectly fine if the power
supply can deliver *more* current than the device requires. For example if
the device is rated at 300ma, a 4.5V 500ma supply will be fine.
> "GL" wrote
> | I'm currently located in Britain.
> | I have an American Samsung MP3/CD player which is worth a lot to me; I
> | forgot its power adapter at home, and I busted my battery charger
> | (using a 1600W converter instead of a 50W one.... you bet I'll never
> | make that mistake again, which is why I'm writing this right now.)
> | Anyway. My player requires a DC 4.5V power source. I was wondering if
> | it was safe for me to simply buy a British 4.5V source, plug it into
> | my player and everything is fine, or I have to consider something such
> | as 50/60Hz difference or amperage (?!?)
> 1. You do have to consider amperage. Your player will have a current
> consumption (usually expressed in milliamps - mA) and your power supply must
> be capable of supplying that without being overloaded. This will usually be
> stated on the rating plate or next to the power input socket.
Just in case it's not clear from this - it is perfectly fine if the power
supply can deliver *more* current than the device requires. For example if
the device is rated at 300ma, a 4.5V 500ma supply will be fine.
Jun 5th 2003, 1:40 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Are all DC 4.5V power sources the same (American, British, etc.)
"Geoff McCaughan" wrote
| Owain wrote:
| > "GL" wrote
| > | ... simply buy a British 4.5V source, plug it into
| > | my player and everything is fine, or I have to consider something such
| > | as 50/60Hz difference or amperage (?!?)
| > 1. You do have to consider amperage. Your player will have a current
| > consumption (usually expressed in milliamps - mA) and your power supply
must
| > be capable of supplying that without being overloaded. This will usually
be
| > stated on the rating plate or next to the power input socket.
| Just in case it's not clear from this - it is perfectly fine if the power
| supply can deliver *more* current than the device requires. For example if
| the device is rated at 300ma, a 4.5V 500ma supply will be fine.
Provided that my point (2) applies i.e. the supply is *regulated*
An unregulated supply's voltage will increase if the current taken is below
that rated.
Owain
| Owain wrote:
| > "GL" wrote
| > | ... simply buy a British 4.5V source, plug it into
| > | my player and everything is fine, or I have to consider something such
| > | as 50/60Hz difference or amperage (?!?)
| > 1. You do have to consider amperage. Your player will have a current
| > consumption (usually expressed in milliamps - mA) and your power supply
must
| > be capable of supplying that without being overloaded. This will usually
be
| > stated on the rating plate or next to the power input socket.
| Just in case it's not clear from this - it is perfectly fine if the power
| supply can deliver *more* current than the device requires. For example if
| the device is rated at 300ma, a 4.5V 500ma supply will be fine.
Provided that my point (2) applies i.e. the supply is *regulated*
An unregulated supply's voltage will increase if the current taken is below
that rated.
Owain
Jun 5th 2003, 10:58 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Are all DC 4.5V power sources the same (American, British, etc.)
GL writes:
> My player requires a DC 4.5V power source. I
> was wondering if it was safe for me to simply
> buy a British 4.5V source, plug it into
> my player and everything is fine ...
Yes, that will work fine.
> ... or I have to consider something such
> as 50/60Hz difference or amperage (?!?) or
> European current being Ac or... whatever else...
No, this is all masked by the AC adaptor. As long as the adaptor is
correct for the wall plug (British or American or whatever), and
produces the correct voltage on the plug for your player (4.5 volts DC,
in this case), it will work just fine.
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
> My player requires a DC 4.5V power source. I
> was wondering if it was safe for me to simply
> buy a British 4.5V source, plug it into
> my player and everything is fine ...
Yes, that will work fine.
> ... or I have to consider something such
> as 50/60Hz difference or amperage (?!?) or
> European current being Ac or... whatever else...
No, this is all masked by the AC adaptor. As long as the adaptor is
correct for the wall plug (British or American or whatever), and
produces the correct voltage on the plug for your player (4.5 volts DC,
in this case), it will work just fine.
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
Jun 5th 2003, 10:59 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Are all DC 4.5V power sources the same (American, British, etc.)
Owain writes:
> 1. You do have to consider amperage.
[...]
None of this is an issue for a simple DC adapter. Even a generic one
will do, as long as the output DC voltage is roughly correct, and the
plug fits.
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
> 1. You do have to consider amperage.
[...]
None of this is an issue for a simple DC adapter. Even a generic one
will do, as long as the output DC voltage is roughly correct, and the
plug fits.
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
