Is this motor driver controller IC capable of reading position info from potentiometer?

[vestaviascott]

That sticker would indicate (to me) that it required 9V with a minimum supply rate (capability) of 500mA.

That's surely been my understanding

 

[CircutScoper]

When you say "unknown loads", would you consider the presence of a sticker or engraved marking next to the DC barrel plug socket like the one in the pic below in that category?

Technically, yes, because no tolerance on "9VDC" is stated. Practically, however, it's fairly unlikely that a "9V" adapter would be regulated anyway, so you're probably safe using an unregulated one in this case. However, if "5V" or "12V" were stated, then the likelihood of needing an internally regulated adapter, and therefore the risk of damage from substituting an unregulated one, would be much greater.

But in either case, there's still that ambiguous phrase "probably safe."