I bought a modern switch mode universal mains adapter a few months ago. They're readily available online and in various shops here in the UK. It came with a rotary switch for setting the variable voltage (3, 5, 7.5, 9 and 12volts) and has 6 different plug ends for various connector types. The voltages are stable and well regulated. I have managed to reuse a moulded strain relief before by cutting the cable either side, pulling out the conductors and then using a sharp drill to ream out the existing cable insulation. I then just slid it onto the existing usable cable, glued it into place and tied a knot in the cable on the inside to prevent it being pulled out. Easy job!
I have done that too, repaired a strain releif using that method. I didn't bother on this because this unit isn't going to see daily use. I fixed it only to have as a pare in the event that I need it to test something. Anything I have that I use regularly has a dedicated fixed voltage power supply on it.
I used to have the identical unit for several years. It was pretty dependable but I did have occasion to open it due to it having a lot of hum with some items. Unfortunately, there was no room inside for a bigger or secondary capacitor. I finally had to add an external cap. Those "security" screws were fairly common on really old film equipment so I had some modified screwdrivers on hand. (Just needed a notch cut out of the center of the blades.)
Good call on the capacitor replacement. I could imagine so many people wouldn't bother. I would do the same and replace it just because of age and there is only one of them. One less thing out of landfill.
Back in the 90s when I was a kid I had and electric keyboard that would make different sounds and stuff but it came packaged with that exact same universal power plug. So I definitely remember this and I recognized it right a way
Love your videos. BTW, I find that a couple layers of heat shrink tubing makes for a decent strain relief. 2 or 3 of different lengths to make a tapered thickness.
12voltvids just a tip... the shrink tubing can be 3 pieces of the same diameter tubing. Just cut them and thread them on the wire and then shrink them one at a time on top of each other.
On the contrary, I find multiple layers of heat shrink tubing a horrible strain relief. They become so stiff when it is more than 1 layer and the cable starts fraying where the tubing ends. I think 1 layer is better. I'm still in the search for a better alternative though.
I have a few old screwdrivers that I modified to extract those horrible screws. Once they're out, in the bin they go, and proper screws are installed instead. Another trick they'll do is to use just ONE odd screw, or they put plastic cylinders in the screwholes the swine ! Gingerly boring these out usually works.Good idea of yours to fix that. They're more reliable than those Switched Mode things.
You know the other name for a switch mode power supply right. Voltage to Smoke converter. All it takes is 1 dead short, and sometimes they go poof. Linear supply you can abuse it all day and it keeps going like an old Timex watch. Incidentally when I was a kid a timex watch was one you didn't want to be seen with They were not cool. 50 years later an old timex is a fashion statement. They just go forever.
I ran into security screws when repairing a heating pad control. I made a screwdriver from a nail using a hammer, hacksaw and file. I didn't have the right size replacement screws, so I taped the nail to the cord.
For that type of screws, you can simple use a cheap flat screwdriver, and make a little notch with a file or metal saw, and they come loose in a minute. Sometimes in hardware stores in those discount boxes near the counter , you can find a complete set of screwbits which include this type of "security" bit for a few bucks.
Hey I have one of these adapters and recently I needed it for something and it didn't work and I went online and looked for the number one of the numbers printed on it and I found your video. And then I saw the problem with the screws. They have a metal piece in the middle of them I just happened to get out my tiny little cheap ass three or four dollar set of little screwdriver tips with little handle and it has a tip in there that worked perfectly on those screws. I took a picture but I can't post it here but the tiny little cylinder clear plastic case with a bunch of tips in it and a handle that fits the end of all those tips. I can't get my adapter fixed because the cord is not bad but I don't know what inside is bad.
Is there a MAPLIN ELECTRONICS store near to you where you could get electronic components at a more reasonable price, I think that they also do Universal adaptors.
These may have been around in the 1970s but they were still being sold in cheap stores in the mid 1990s. I never much liked them because they are unregulated and so audio gear like personal stereos etc always sounded buzzy with them. For a little more money you could get regulated units that were much better. These days of course you can get hold of switching versions of the same thing that can give out a couple of amps, and are roughly the same size as this.
Yes I know they are unregulated, and can cause hum on audio devices if they are run close to the current limits, but for most applications they are fine. I have a bigger one that is multi voltage and regulated, but I lost off the different size tips. This one was fixed because it is convenient for testing stuff, not long term use.
Special screws = Bin :-D Had to laugh, you use the same method ive had to use, soldering iron treatment lol. A while back i modded a small straight screwdriver by grinding a notch in the blade, it was done so i could adjust vcr head guides back to standard, its removed psu screws fine now i dont repair videos any longer. I also kept one of those multi plug cables off a dead supply, i havnt seen one for 20 years.
nice video.. Are the capacitors something that wears out or stops working with age? i have a similar universal ac to dc adaptor..the red led power light does not turn on.. oddly.. it was workingwhen i was last using it.. and put it back in storage container. I am troubleshooting what might be causing it to not work. I did test it with a volt meter.. and i can see it is putting some voltage (micorvolts) and when i flip the polarity switch it does flip the polarity readin on my volt meter. something is causing the voltage to not shift up and down whne i move the volt slider. very odd.
Yes the inside on a coaxial type connector is referred to as the tip, which is the same as the tip of the 2.5 and 3.5mm plugs on the other side of the 4 position socket.
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I think I called your number to see if you repaired car stereos you should know car stereos but the car stereo is a CD DVD player it didn't read the DVDs or CDs it works for about less than a minute then it shuts off can you recommend a place to get it fixed thank you
Oh I have a similar one. Looks the same and measures 20v on the 12v setting and 5v on the 1.5v You saying that is not corrupted? I don't use it fearing it will kill my devices haha.. The resistor I have is 750 ohms and the capacitor which I juat reolaced thinking it was the problem, is 470uf 25v
Yes that can happen. They are great for a test bench though. That is what I use mine for. I have another one, but I lost all the stupid plugs. This one is better as it has 6 different power plugs on the cord, so for a test bench piece this is perfect. That is why I was happy to find it. Was buried in a box under a bunch of other junk.
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I bought a modern switch mode universal mains adapter a few months ago. They're readily available online and in various shops here in the UK. It came with a rotary switch for setting the variable voltage (3, 5, 7.5, 9 and 12volts) and has 6 different plug ends for various connector types. The voltages are stable and well regulated.
I have managed to reuse a moulded strain relief before by cutting the cable either side, pulling out the conductors and then using a sharp drill to ream out the existing cable insulation. I then just slid it onto the existing usable cable, glued it into place and tied a knot in the cable on the inside to prevent it being pulled out. Easy job!
I have done that too, repaired a strain releif using that method. I didn't bother on this because this unit isn't going to see daily use. I fixed it only to have as a pare in the event that I need it to test something. Anything I have that I use regularly has a dedicated fixed voltage power supply on it.
I used to have the identical unit for several years. It was pretty dependable but I did have occasion to open it due to it having a lot of hum with some items. Unfortunately, there was no room inside for a bigger or secondary capacitor. I finally had to add an external cap.
Those "security" screws were fairly common on really old film equipment so I had some modified screwdrivers on hand. (Just needed a notch cut out of the center of the blades.)
Under no load it will measure high as its an unregulated transformer. The voltage setting is just selecting a different tap on the tranny
When I got some screws like that I just got an flat blade screwdriver and filed a slot in end, love your work
Good call on the capacitor replacement. I could imagine so many people wouldn't bother. I would do the same and replace it just because of age and there is only one of them. One less thing out of landfill.
Back in the 90s when I was a kid I had and electric keyboard that would make different sounds and stuff but it came packaged with that exact same universal power plug. So I definitely remember this and I recognized it right a way
Love your videos. BTW, I find that a couple layers of heat shrink tubing makes for a decent strain relief. 2 or 3 of different lengths to make a tapered thickness.
Yes I know, but all I have is 1 size currently, and this is just a bench test unit so no strain will be applied to the wire.
12voltvids just a tip... the shrink tubing can be 3 pieces of the same diameter tubing. Just cut them and thread them on the wire and then shrink them one at a time on top of each other.
On the contrary, I find multiple layers of heat shrink tubing a horrible strain relief. They become so stiff when it is more than 1 layer and the cable starts fraying where the tubing ends. I think 1 layer is better. I'm still in the search for a better alternative though.
Self-amalgamating tape is the answer!
I have some of that from when I was splicing cables 11 years ago. We used it to water seal cables.
I have a few old screwdrivers that I modified to extract those horrible screws. Once they're out, in the bin they go, and proper screws are installed instead. Another trick they'll do is to use just ONE odd screw, or they put plastic cylinders in the screwholes the swine ! Gingerly boring these out usually works.Good idea of yours to fix that. They're more reliable than those Switched Mode things.
You know the other name for a switch mode power supply right.
Voltage to Smoke converter.
All it takes is 1 dead short, and sometimes they go poof.
Linear supply you can abuse it all day and it keeps going like an old Timex watch.
Incidentally when I was a kid a timex watch was one you didn't want to be seen with They were not cool. 50 years later an old timex is a fashion statement. They just go forever.
I took a small flat blade screwdriver and filed or ground a notch in the center and Voila! you have the special tool.
I ran into security screws when repairing a heating pad control. I made a screwdriver from a nail using a hammer, hacksaw and file. I didn't have the right size replacement screws, so I taped the nail to the cord.
For that type of screws, you can simple use a cheap flat screwdriver, and make a little notch with a file or metal saw,
and they come loose in a minute.
Sometimes in hardware stores in those discount boxes near the counter , you can find a complete set of screwbits which include this type of "security" bit for a few bucks.
Have one exactly like it in my misc drawer.. it's old, comes in handy once in a while
Mine too has some stupid security screws exactly like yours wall adapter Ibut I like your idea 😅 Thank You!!!
In Europe they are still available. Nowadays you have the universal switching adapters, but you no longer see those transformer universal adapters.
Hey I have one of these adapters and recently I needed it for something and it didn't work and I went online and looked for the number one of the numbers printed on it and I found your video. And then I saw the problem with the screws. They have a metal piece in the middle of them I just happened to get out my tiny little cheap ass three or four dollar set of little screwdriver tips with little handle and it has a tip in there that worked perfectly on those screws. I took a picture but I can't post it here but the tiny little cylinder clear plastic case with a bunch of tips in it and a handle that fits the end of all those tips.
I can't get my adapter fixed because the cord is not bad but I don't know what inside is bad.
Is there a MAPLIN ELECTRONICS store near to you where you could get electronic components at a more reasonable price, I think that they also do Universal adaptors.
These may have been around in the 1970s but they were still being sold in cheap stores in the mid 1990s. I never much liked them because they are unregulated and so audio gear like personal stereos etc always sounded buzzy with them. For a little more money you could get regulated units that were much better. These days of course you can get hold of switching versions of the same thing that can give out a couple of amps, and are roughly the same size as this.
Yes I know they are unregulated, and can cause hum on audio devices if they are run close to the current limits, but for most applications they are fine.
I have a bigger one that is multi voltage and regulated, but I lost off the different size tips. This one was fixed because it is convenient for testing stuff, not long term use.
I like your ESR meter. Is that a kit?
Yes it was. I should open it up and show whats inside some time.
I got one of those. They are a good gadget to have.
Special screws = Bin :-D
Had to laugh, you use the same method ive had to use, soldering iron treatment lol.
A while back i modded a small straight screwdriver by grinding a notch in the blade, it was done so i could adjust vcr head guides back to standard, its removed psu screws fine now i dont repair videos any longer.
I also kept one of those multi plug cables off a dead supply, i havnt seen one for 20 years.
nice video.. Are the capacitors something that wears out or stops working with age? i have a similar universal ac to dc adaptor..the red led power light does not turn on.. oddly.. it was workingwhen i was last using it.. and put it back in storage container. I am troubleshooting what might be causing it to not work. I did test it with a volt meter.. and i can see it is putting some voltage (micorvolts) and when i flip the polarity switch it does flip the polarity readin on my volt meter. something is causing the voltage to not shift up and down whne i move the volt slider. very odd.
Yes caps wear out.
when you say tip positive or negative, is that the inside lead you are talking about? thanks j
Yes the inside on a coaxial type connector is referred to as the tip, which is the same as the tip of the 2.5 and 3.5mm plugs on the other side of the 4 position socket.
3:30 Those Security Bit Sets or Tamper Proof Bit Sets (for those kind of screws) are dirt cheap on Ebay.
And 50.00 shipping to canada.
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a small flat head screwdrive and small dremel bit will make a driver for them security screws it works
Did that years ago, but my dremel cutting wheel is broken.
i have a few of these lying around but i want more
They are also very useful. If your adapter fails, you have a spare adapter.
Easy strain relief - tie a knot on the inside.
That works too
Electone_Guy
That's not strain relief, but it will work like a cable clamp.
I use those adapters for powering Lemax Christmas items.
I think I called your number to see if you repaired car stereos you should know car stereos but the car stereo is a CD DVD player it didn't read the DVDs or CDs it works for about less than a minute then it shuts off can you recommend a place to get it fixed thank you
Never worked on car audio and never will. That was the 1 thing we never touched at the shop. I don't even like working on my own decks.
just make a notch on a flat screwdriver for those screws
Did that years ago when i was at the shop. Didn't want to ruin a good screw driver. heating the screws and they come right out,
Oh I have a similar one. Looks the same and measures 20v on the 12v setting and 5v on the 1.5v
You saying that is not corrupted? I don't use it fearing it will kill my devices haha.. The resistor I have is 750 ohms and the capacitor which I juat reolaced thinking it was the problem, is 470uf 25v
I've found that electronics with those security screws are usually the ones worth fixing.
worth a shot
I hated those ive had many bits of gear smoked because somebody turns the switch
Yes that can happen. They are great for a test bench though. That is what I use mine for. I have another one, but I lost all the stupid plugs. This one is better as it has 6 different power plugs on the cord, so for a test bench piece this is perfect. That is why I was happy to find it. Was buried in a box under a bunch of other junk.
I always hot glue the setting for the device and if it needed for some other device, hot glue is easy enough to remove with some persuasion.
FOR EASY UNSOLER USE SOLDER BOMP
SURE I LIKE THIS VIDEO THANKS
I have the same adapter but then the European version with an EU plug.
First view!