Show us Your Wall Wart Pile(s)

[xrunner]

Just added another one to the pile - from a failed Black & Decker screwdriver -  9V 100mA. It's quite amazing how many pile up. I use them here and there from time to time, sometimes changing the connector. I just can't throw them away.

Show me your wall wart pile - I know some of you can easily out-do my pile. 

[james_s]

I have an even bigger pile than that, and yet I never seem to have quite the one I need.

[aargee]

I recently had an overhaul of my pile, pretty much dumped most linear DC plug packs, unless they had some special features.

I kept the T-800 charger, just in case I needed it in the future. 

[xrunner]

Most of mine seem to be of the 9V and 12V variety. Less are of the 6V, 7.5V, and 5V - came from old cordless phones, routers, radios, and who knows what. Some simply step down the line volts to a lower AC like 9V.

[mmagin]

I recently had an overhaul of my pile, pretty much dumped most linear DC plug packs, unless they had some special features.

I kept the T-800 charger, just in case I needed it in the future. 

Those are the ones I always keep, since they're not horribly noisy!
Other than that, I generally keep any decently made ones with proper safety approvals, they come in handy.  Just wired one up to a small water pump for a project my wife was working on.

[TerraHertz]

 

[PointyOintment]

At my hackerspace we keep switching ones over 5 W, and send the others to recycling unless there's something especially useful about them. We usually write the specs on the side in large text with a gold paint marker, and strap the coiled-up cord to the side of the unit with a zip tie, both to make digging through the drawer to find a suitable one easier. I'll try to remember to get a photo next time I'm there.

[xrunner]

Oh Yea! That's what I'm takin' about! 

[Brumby]

TerraHertz - my pile would come close to that ... but I think you would just edge me out.

[steve30]

I don't have much of a pile of them. Most of mine have some kind of device associated with them (or will be useful for something else), and are scattered around all over the place.

[james_s]

Yeah I prefer the old iron transformer type in many cases too, the output is cleaner and they are much more reliable. I replaced the wall wart on my router with an old transformer type after going through 3 or 4 of the switchmode type. I re-capped them a couple times, others blew up beyond reasonable repair. I don't think any of the switchmode adapters lasted more than a year or so. Iron transformer wall warts are getting harder to find, the switchers are everywhere.

[xrunner]

Another thing people might not consider initially too is the other end - the power connector. Sometimes they can come in handy, especially if you need an odd one and you happen to have one on a saved wall wart. Simply cut it off and splice it on as you need - observing the correct polarity of course. 

[CatalinaWOW]

The photo shows my primary stash.  There are a couple of smaller stashes elsewhere.  I always find myself questioning my understanding of statistics when I look for a suitable wall wart.  I usually have to go through 90% or more of the pile to find something suitable.  Even if I am not trying to match the connector too.

Do you guys also accumulate chargers?  I have a similar stash of battery chargers, most aimed at NiCads, but a sprinkling of Pb and Lithium chemistry battery chargers.  They seem too good to pitch, but I haven't repurposed one yet that I recall.

[james_s]

The photo shows my primary stash.  There are a couple of smaller stashes elsewhere.  I always find myself questioning my understanding of statistics when I look for a suitable wall wart.  I usually have to go through 90% or more of the pile to find something suitable.  Even if I am not trying to match the connector too.

Do you guys also accumulate chargers?  I have a similar stash of battery chargers, most aimed at NiCads, but a sprinkling of Pb and Lithium chemistry battery chargers.  They seem too good to pitch, but I haven't repurposed one yet that I recall.

That happens to me with everything. Just last night I was looking for a dual power diode to repair the PSU in an old oscilloscope and I went through my entire drawer of small power semiconductors and the very last one I came to was a perfect sub for the part I needed.

I have a BC700 for AA/AAA cells and a couple of multi-chemistry chargers for my RC hobbies and have found that's about all I need. The others I put in the donation pile I take to the local thrift store.

[TerraHertz]

This would be a good place to mention a silly 'life hack' I saw, on 9gag I think. Nice way to keep cables in order, by recycling the humble...

[xrunner]

Good idea! ^^^

[Sredni]

One can use these bottles for the same purpose.
http://www.thebearandthefox.com/2014/11/diy-play-kitchen-milk-juice-bottles/

[Brumby]

I've started using zip lock bags.  No issues with cables getting snagged.

"One of these days" I am thinking about going through the lot and write the V & A specs on the bag - and the open circuit voltage as well.  Not worrying about the plugs because I can change them if need be.

[TerraHertz]

Just thought I'd post what 84 laptop chargers look like.

[Kilrah]

That plus a few more somewhere else.

Chucked a bunch not long ago though...

[madires]

I'm using velcro type stuff for most cables.

[Cyberdragon]

I disect the HV capacitors from unused power supplies. So I only have piles of dead circuit boards.

[mariush]

Apparently you guys haven't heard of rubber bands .. you can buy bags of them for less than 5-10$, and in various widths and thicknesses for example

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Rubber-Bands-Size-432/dp/B000783OSA/
https://www.amazon.com/Business-Source-Rubber-Bands-Assorted/dp/B003SBU94U/

[rdl]

I usually save old wall warts "just in case" and I now have a 14 liter plastic box full of them, but over the last 10-15 years "just in case" has happened maybe twice.

[yada]

Wouldn't be worth saving the linear ones since transformers are boing replaced by little SMA chargers? I like the old ones because they don't interfere with my SDR. Amazing how one little SMA can totally ruin the spectrum burying everything below the noise floor. f I had enough I would go to my neighbors and replace all their sma chargers with linear ones.