Can a regular AC-DC wall adapter be replaced with a more efficient power supply?

[SA Development]

Hi,

I have 3 or 4 devices in my wiring closet that all use 12V. Some of the
power adapters are rated for more and some less, lets say for example 200ma,
500ma, 800ma.

My first question is, can I buy a larger 12V power supply (regulated) and
wire them all in parallel if I add up the sizes (1.5a in my above example)?

My second question is, would a switching power supply produce less heat and
work with devices that are typically powered by a wall brick?

Thanks for the help!

Alan

 

[Rich Grise]

Hi,

I have 3 or 4 devices in my wiring closet that all use 12V. Some of the
power adapters are rated for more and some less, lets say for example 200ma,
500ma, 800ma.

My first question is, can I buy a larger 12V power supply (regulated) and
wire them all in parallel if I add up the sizes (1.5a in my above example)?

Yes. I'd recommend that you run each thing's 12V cable back to a terminal
block at the PS, so they aren't sharing each other's power wires.

My second question is, would a switching power supply produce less heat
and work with devices that are typically powered by a wall brick?

Yes, if the output is quiet enough. (and has the current capability).

Have Fun!
Rich

 

[Bob Eldred]

Hi,

I have 3 or 4 devices in my wiring closet that all use 12V. Some of the
power adapters are rated for more and some less, lets say for example 200ma,
500ma, 800ma.

My first question is, can I buy a larger 12V power supply (regulated) and
wire them all in parallel if I add up the sizes (1.5a in my above example)?

My second question is, would a switching power supply produce less heat and
work with devices that are typically powered by a wall brick?

Thanks for the help!

Alan

Yes it's possible but your savings will only be a couple of watts, if that,
and you'll spend $bucks to do it. There are many better ways to conserve
electricity like getting rid of incandescent lamps.

 

[Pooh Bear]

Hi,

I have 3 or 4 devices in my wiring closet that all use 12V. Some of the
power adapters are rated for more and some less, lets say for example 200ma,
500ma, 800ma.

My first question is, can I buy a larger 12V power supply (regulated) and
wire them all in parallel if I add up the sizes (1.5a in my above example)?

My second question is, would a switching power supply produce less heat and
work with devices that are typically powered by a wall brick?

There may be issues with common ground connections.

Graham

 

[Big Mouth Billy Bass]

There may be issues with common ground connections.

Using bus bars and wiring from same in parallel, as opposed to running
a daisy chain, should alleviate those issues.

 

[Dan Hollands]

Yes and Yes

--
Dan Hollands
1120 S Creek Dr
Webster NY 14580
585-872-2606
[email protected]
www.QuickScoreRace.com

 

[Bob Masta]

Using bus bars and wiring from same in parallel, as opposed to running
a daisy chain, should alleviate those issues.

I think what Pooh Bear was referring to is the
connections to the outside world. In the normal
situation with the wall-wart, the device is isolated... the maker
can choose to tie +12 to the ground of an output connector,
for example. If another device ties the supply ground to the
output ground (a more normal situation) then there will be
smoke if you interconnect these.

Best regards,


Bob Masta
dqatechATdaqartaDOTcom

D A Q A R T A
Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis
www.daqarta.com
Home of DaqGen, the FREEWARE signal generator

 

[Pooh Bear]

I think what Pooh Bear was referring to is the
connections to the outside world. In the normal
situation with the wall-wart, the device is isolated... the maker
can choose to tie +12 to the ground of an output connector,
for example. If another device ties the supply ground to the
output ground (a more normal situation) then there will be
smoke if you interconnect these.

You're correct. There is no way to tell the internal wiring of the unit.

Graham