5V, 2.5A

[bjlockie]

I need a replacement power adapter for my dlink router.
dlink wants $40.
It says 5V, 2.5A but my Dad thinks it is too small to put out 2.5A and I can't find it cheaply.
Maybe something cheap that will work.

 

[arcas]

Plenty of online electronics shops will carry power supplies that'll do that. You may have to solder on an appropriate connector, though.

Looks like mpja.com has a 5VDC @ 2.5A supply for $9.

 

[Jeff7]

A lot of those little routers use a 5.5mm connector.
Also make sure the polarity is correct. There is a little illustration either on the device itself, or on the power adapter, that looks like this. They indicate the polarity of the center and outside of the connector.

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, Newer adaptors use the SWITCHING power supply technology. They are much smaller than older ones as no transformer is needed. You must find one the same voltage rateing. Current rateing can be higher. The connector must be the same type and size and of the same polarity. Today most have Plus on the tip or inside. It can be old or new type. Hope this helps a little, Jim

 

[arcas]

You must find one the same voltage rating

For a device like this, that's probably wise but in general that's not necessarily the case. Most devices have onboard voltage regulators to form stable voltages from the input. This lets the manufacturer use cheaper unregulated power supplies. For these devices, you can exceed the original input voltage by a small margin at the expense of some additional heat. This is actually useful because some devices have rather odd power supplies that aren't readily available (I recall digging an IBM NetworkStation from a trash bin...it required 17VAC @ 2A which wasn't easy to find cheap. It runs happily on a run of the mill 20VAC@2A power supply).

Note that I'm not saying you can replace a 5V power supply with a 12V supply and expect your device to be happy. But if you stay within 10-20% you're probably okay as long as you keep an eye out for overheating until you're convinced it's working.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

2.5 amps is about right. Routers draw a lot of current. They get HOT.

Do yourself a favor and just buy a new router. They're cheap.