Can I use this voltage converter for my DDTS-100?

[xiaobao12]

I have a Creative DDTS-100 audio decoder that I got from Singapore. The specs on the AC adapter for this device say:

INPUT: 230V ~ 50Hz 100mA

OUTPUT: 16V ~ 600ma

I went to RadioShack and bought a voltage converter was has the specs:

INPUT: 11/120VAC, 260mA, 60Hz

OUTPUT: 220/240VAC, 165 mA, 60HZ

Will this work for me since 230 falls between 220V and 240V? Also, I heard that the Hz difference doesn't matter since this device doesn't have a motor.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

 

[PM650]

Transformers designed for 50Hz operation will be slightly more efficient at 60Hz, so no problems here regarding compatibility. With voltages, it depends on what's in your area; it's around 122V down in the south, could be 115V where you are - I wouldn't worry too much about this.

 

[xiaobao12]

Thanks PM650.

So, does the 220/240 in the OUTPUT of the converter mean from 220 TO 240? or just 220 and 240?

Also, what I got was a converter. Will this suffice or should I look into a transformer since this is an electronic?

Thank you!

 

[sdifox]

err, why not just get a 120V AC in 16V >600ma out transformer? double conversion is not a good idea.

 

[xiaobao12]

sdifox, can you explain why it's not a good idea?

And I don't quite understand what you meant about the transformer; you mean one that outputs 16V at 600ma? But then I don't have an adapter to connect the transformer to the device itself.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bryf50]

I think he's trying to say why not just toss the adapter that came with it and buy a matching 120v input one. They usually have a bunch of different adapters with different outputs and connectors at radio shack.

 

[sdifox]

sdifox, can you explain why it's not a good idea?

And I don't quite understand what you meant about the transformer; you mean one that outputs 16V at 600ma? But then I don't have an adapter to connect the transformer to the device itself.

Thanks in advance.

The one you bought from Radio Shack is under powered to start with. So return that. Next, do not do 110 AC -> 220 AC -> 16V DC. There is a lot of waste involved in that. Instead, find a power adaptor that goes from 110V AC to 16V AC and make sure it is rated above 600ma. That way you are just doing 110V AC -> 16V DC.

 

[xiaobao12]

Thanks for the responses.

I have been having trouble finding 16V output at 600ma. Also, these adapters at Radioshack go for about $40!

I was thinking of getting a transformer, here: http://cgi.ebay.com/100-W-Up-Down-V...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5d27c32aeb

for $20 and that would be all I would need to spend. Any thoughts?

I appreciate your inputs.

 

[sdifox]

Thanks for the responses.

I have been having trouble finding 16V output at 600ma. Also, these adapters at Radioshack go for about $40!

I was thinking of getting a transformer, here: http://cgi.ebay.com/100-W-Up-Down-V...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5d27c32aeb

for $20 and that would be all I would need to spend. Any thoughts?

I appreciate your inputs.

It doesn't say the 100w output is for 110V or 220V. I would get this one instead. the 500w should be more stable.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...23&category=88759&ssPageName=mem_guide:1&rd=1

 

[xiaobao12]

lol sdi,

That's the exact same product I linked too =d.

Will 100W be enough you think? This device needs 23 watts (230 V x .1 A) according to a site I read about how to calculate watts. This is correct right?

Thanks.

 

[sdifox]

I had to fix the link again. Can't figure out why after 3 attempts it still pasted the old link.

 

[xiaobao12]

sdi,

For the product that you linked to, can you explain why there is only a switch for 110 or 220? Don't I need it to be 230? I'm confused because the description says: Converts 220/230/240 to 110/120?

Thanks.

 

[sdifox]

sdi,

For the product that you linked to, can you explain why there is only a switch for 110 or 220? Don't I need it to be 230? I'm confused because the description says: Converts 220/230/240 to 110/120?

Thanks.

It has 2 modes. One is to take 110V and step up to 220V and the other is to step down, which is taking 220V and changing it to 110.

 

[xiaobao12]

but don't I need 230?

 

[PM650]

but don't I need 230?

The whole "110/120 -> 220/240, 220/240 -> 110/120" just means it doubles or halves the voltage (for bidirectional converters). It's equivalent to: 110 -> 220, 115 -> 230, 120 -> 240, etc... Another words, you won't get 230V unless your line voltage is around 115V. It's really not much to worry about, these wall-warts are usually unregulated, so the exact output isn't too important.

 

[xiaobao12]

Thanks sdi.

I am about to pull the trigger on one of these transformers from Ebay. But could you explain to me what the exact difference is, between the product you suggested and mine? The only difference I see is that it is 500W versus 100, from what you mentioned in that it would be more stable but the device will only use 40W??

 

[sdifox]

Thanks sdi.

I am about to pull the trigger on one of these transformers from Ebay. But could you explain to me what the exact difference is, between the product you suggested and mine? The only difference I see is that it is 500W versus 100, from what you mentioned in that it would be more stable but the device will only use 40W??

Let's just say I don't trust their ratings :hmm:

 

[Modelworks]

You guys are over complicating things.
The device uses 16VAC @ 600ma. The little ~ means AC or 9.6 watts .

That means it is converting the AC to DC internally so the voltage is not critical, any transformer from 14VAC to 16VAC @ about 700ma + will work fine.

$5.75
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/ACTX-1612/16VAC-1.2A-WALL-TRANSFORMER/1.html

 

[sdifox]

You guys are over complicating things.
The device uses 16VAC @ 600ma. The little ~ means AC or 9.6 watts .

That means it is converting the AC to DC internally so the voltage is not critical, any transformer from 14VAC to 16VAC @ about 700ma + will work fine.

$5.75
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/ACTX-1612/16VAC-1.2A-WALL-TRANSFORMER/1.html

He was the one looking to do step up

Wait, the thing takes 16VAC? I thought it was 16VDC...

 

[Modelworks]

He was the one looking to do step up

Wait, the thing takes 16VAC? I thought it was 16VDC...

true
yeah that gets a lot of people. Always look for whether it is a squiggly line or a straight line with dashes under it.

Audio gear often uses AC because they use opamp that use a +VDC GND -VDC supply so they can supply audio that swings rail to rail.

 

[xiaobao12]

You guys are over complicating things.
The device uses 16VAC @ 600ma. The little ~ means AC or 9.6 watts .

That means it is converting the AC to DC internally so the voltage is not critical, any transformer from 14VAC to 16VAC @ about 700ma + will work fine.

$5.75
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/ACTX-1612/16VAC-1.2A-WALL-TRANSFORMER/1.html

!!! I didn't know that the ~ sign was important.

On the device, it says 16V AC IN with a ~ sign above it.

Model, I'm still confused though. Can you please explain how ~ is 9.6watts?

And, where does it say that the product you linked to is 700ma? And how will I know if the plug will fit my device?

Thanks so much!

 

[Modelworks]

!!! I didn't know that the ~ sign was important.

On the device, it says 16V AC IN with a ~ sign above it.

Model, I'm still confused though. Can you please explain how ~ is 9.6watts?

And, where does it say that the product you linked to is 700ma? And how will I know if the plug will fit my device?

Thanks so much!

Yep, DC uses the ------- symbol .


The device says it uses 16V @ 600ma , so 16 x .6 = 9.6 watts.
When powering a device you really cannot go too high on the current the transformer outputs. The device will only use what it needs. Yours needs 600ma so anything from 700ma and up will be able to provide enough power. The transformer I linked is 1200ma so it is more than capable of powering the device.

The plug you can measure using a ruler . Size is in mm.
Worst case you could cut the plug off the old adapter and splice it to the new one. Polarity does not matter with AC, so connect the wires however you like.

 

[xiaobao12]

Yep, DC uses the ------- symbol .


The device says it uses 16V @ 600ma , so 16 x .6 = 9.6 watts.
When powering a device you really cannot go too high on the current the transformer outputs. The device will only use what it needs. Yours needs 600ma so anything from 700ma and up will be able to provide enough power. The transformer I linked is 1200ma so it is more than capable of powering the device.

The plug you can measure using a ruler . Size is in mm.
Worst case you could cut the plug off the old adapter and splice it to the new one. Polarity does not matter with AC, so connect the wires however you like.

Model,

Shoot, I thought to calculate wattage, you calculate it based on the INPUT of the AC adapter. It makes sense why I am wrong. So you always do it based on the output of the adapter?

Also, with that product you linked to, do I need to worry about positive/negative connections? Somebody I talked to today said to watch for that.???