Electronics > Projects, Designs, and Technical Stuff
Chinese ac adapters on eBay
(1/7) > >>
Alex Eisenhut:
I've been trying to get a reliable 5v/12v AC adapter for my low-current (<1A per rail) vintage drives.

So far, every AC adapter is a massive failure. A 5V rated for 2 amp crushes to 4.6V at 500mA.

etc.

Price seems no indicator of quality either.

Oddly, the most rickety-looking thing is more reliable.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/DIY-KITS-HKS014R5-KIS3R33-Step-Down-Power-Module-US92-18V-48V-To-12V-5V-1-5A/183216582490?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

that thing just works, but now I would like to find a 20-30V DC adapter to power *that* thing.

What is your experience with random Chinese AC adapters? Any sellers with reliable supplies?
Gregg:
I've had very good luck by finding wall-wart and stand alone corded power supplies at thrift stores for next to nothing ($1 to $2).  If they are a name brand or have a UL listing it is a good sign of some quality.  Many of these power supplies are left after the device they were supposed to power has died, things like modems and old laptops.  A quick sniff test for release of magic smoke is prudent before purchase. 
magic:
This man knows :-+

Another decent source is electronics recyclers sometimes selling on auction sites. They may have multiple identical supplies if you want, sometimes even hundreds, and you may get some basic warranty.
Alex Eisenhut:

--- Quote from: Gregg on February 08, 2020, 06:45:41 pm ---I've had very good luck by finding wall-wart and stand alone corded power supplies at thrift stores for next to nothing ($1 to $2).  If they are a name brand or have a UL listing it is a good sign of some quality.  Many of these power supplies are left after the device they were supposed to power has died, things like modems and old laptops.  A quick sniff test for release of magic smoke is prudent before purchase.

--- End quote ---

Here in Montreal these places are shutting down one by one. Salvation Army down my street just got bought out to be replaced by condos. Other thrift stores are more about clothes, the electronics sections are smaller and smaller.

But I'll keep looking.
sixtimesseven:
My expirience in Shenzehen on the electronics market is the following. First of you have multi story bulidings with 2x2m boxes each a usb supply manufacturer. Almost all of them have a glas cabinet of some kind in the front with several adapters both put together and in pices. They all look the same. Some have even little weights which they proudly display. There might be 5-7 chargers on one of those plates.

We asked one lady about the difference, she took the plate in front of her and showed it to us. She pointed to one side: "good qualely" and then to the other side "good plice". The good quality ones pcb looked decent. The cheap one, well they had nothing on there....

I would be VERY careful with those adapters. I straight up told everyone I know that they should not plug in anything from a non trustworthy source into a power outlet... You cannot tell from the outside, the Ebay seller might switch it's source or "quality" at any moment. And there might be high voltage which can kill your devices or you.
Navigation
Message Index
Next page
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...

Go to full version
Powered by SMFPacks Advanced Attachments Uploader Mod