Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: s_busby_uk on May 13, 2014, 05:26:41 pm
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So my dad - who hates messy wires - bought this sort of multiplug adapter thing (attached - the strip) for his amplifier. It's between 20 and 30 years old (sorry I can't be more precise). I figured it was a nice neat little unit to plug my electrics into tidily inside the cab, and with a couple of kettle-plug extension cables I can plug my computer and monitor up to it quite easily without even having to rewire anything up; anything else I can replace the plug with those little doo-dahs in the other picture.
1. Is this thing too old to be considered "safe" you think?
2. The strip says "Maximum load must not exceed 13 Amps 240 Volts AC" - given I'll have an LED monitor, computer, small speaker amplifier and marquee light plugged into it, should it be able to handle it?
3. The amplifier I bought for my speakers didn't come with a power supply so I need to pick one up. I'm assuming I can't rewire your average 12V 2A plug into the above "doo dah", so I was considering something like this to "convert" it for the connection I want:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/CWT-Technology-Adapters-Monitors-equipment/dp/B00D23I2I4/ref=sr_1_72?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1400015289&sr=1-72&keywords=dc+12v+2a+adapter (http://www.amazon.co.uk/CWT-Technology-Adapters-Monitors-equipment/dp/B00D23I2I4/ref=sr_1_72?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1400015289&sr=1-72&keywords=dc+12v+2a+adapter)
But I notice it's 5A and not 2A - does that matter? If it's no good, is there something I can get to suit my means?
Thanks in advance!
PS - I know nothing about this stuff!
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1. Unless there are obvious signs of damage, corrosion, etc., it's probably okay. Heck, it's probably built better than lots of cheap Chinese junk these days!
2. Plenty o' power. You won't come anywhere near hitting its limits with what you describe.
3. Voltage (V) should be matched, but amperage (A) of the power supply should match or exceed what you are trying to power. So a 5A power supply is okay to use with a 2A amplifier.
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Lovely, ta!
Well I'll admit I managed to break a bit of plastic on one of the "doo dahs" (patent pending" quite easily when trying to remove a cover that was screwed in place (screw was hidden so I didn't realise) but otherwise It's a pretty sturdy looking thing. Glad to know it'll take the load though - beats having a giant multiplug thing in there.
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As far as #2 goes, keep in mind that most home circuit breakers in the States are only rated for 15amps. So that strip can handle almost as much current as your fuse box allocates for an entire zone of your house.
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Is there a way of checking if the thing I'm ordering will fit the hole I need on these things? Always seems like a stab in the dark. It looks like a pretty standard connection but hard to know...