AC Adapters - mA? & Watts?

Chip Fossa · From: Monson, MA, USA (deceased)

I know this has been brought up in the past,
but I'm gonna bring it up, yet, again.

Specifically: I have a Boss RV-3 and a
Fishman Pro-EQ Platinum Pre Amp; with
acoustic guitar saddle pickup; All the bells
& whistles - the whole nine yards.

In the Fishman manual it says that the Boss
PSA regulated series AC adapter may be used in lieu of Fishman's AC adapter.

The Boss adapter is rated at AC 120V 60Hz
9W (IN) = DC 9.6V 200mA (OUT)

I also have a RECOTON universal AC adapter
and it reads:
AC 120V 60Hz 12W (IN) = DC 9.0V 500mA.

Could this RECOTON be used to safely power the Fishman? The wattage is higher as are the
milliamps; but the voltage is lower.
I've managed [with a magnifying glass and reading glasses] to figure out the drawings
to set the POLARITY, so this once great concern has been resolved. [Xcept, how do you determine polarity on an AC adapter where it's not listed or no picture is on it?]

BTW, before I became aware of POLARITY issues with these adapters, I have used the Fishman
with the Recoton adapter in the past and it worked just fine.[Polarity happened to be in right postion].
Just wondering if, overall, it's OK or NOT OK to continue using the Recoton.

Thanks all, for any input you can send my way.

Chipper

[This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 07 January 2003 at 05:37 AM.]

Gino Iorfida · From: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Yes, the recotron would be fine, what it is saying by having a slightly higher rating, is that well, it has the ABILITY to put out more power than the other transformer could. As long as the voltage is right, you should be fine.
ALSO, since the Recotron is rated for 500mA, and you are not drawing nearly the same current, your voltage may actually creep up into the 9.6v range (provided it's not regulated).... Most likely the Fishman was designed around an optimal 9v source, so in reality, anything between like 8-10v will be fine
The only time you really would have to worry would be is if you were using a SMALLER transformer than you needed -- ile. your device needed 500mA current, and your transformer only provided 10mA current etc

[This message was edited by Gino Iorfida on 07 January 2003 at 05:49 AM.]

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

Chip Fossa · From: Monson, MA, USA (deceased)

Thank you Gino for the AC breakdown. I appreciate that.

Hiya Jimmy; yeah, I meant DC polarity. Probably wasn't too clear on that. Doesn't matter. I've got about 7-8 AC adapters kicking around. They all work. I'll just use the ones that have ALL the info on them.
It's not that another Boss PSA adapter will break the bank, but jeez, who needs, yet, another AC adapter with all these ones here
kicking around.

Thanks fellas.

Chipper

Jim Smith · From: Midlothian, TX, USA

For DC voltage polarity, plug the adapter into the wall and check the tip with a meter. If you hook the positive meter lead to the positive tip, the meter will read positive. If you hook it to negative, the meter will read negative.

Chip Fossa · From: Monson, MA, USA (deceased)

Brilliant, Jim. Why didn't I think of that.
As a matter of fact, I've got 4 or 5 multi-test meters kickin' around here, too.

Thanks again. Wow, you guys have made my day.
They'll be no holding back the amplifiers now. Neighbors Beware!

Chipper

Bill Crook · From: Goodlettsville, TN , Spending my kid's inheritance

O.K. Folks.....

Here is way I see it.

90% of the time,the center pin is "Negative" and the ring is "Pos".

This has worked out for about 87% of the wall-warts I have checked out.

Of course,On the AC units It dosen't matter.

Chip Fossa · From: Monson, MA, USA (deceased)

Thanks Bill. I love this forum.

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