Urgent charger advice

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davidfox

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This is NOT boaty but it this is the only place i can turn to to get good advice.

My daughter has a portable DVD player and she has lost the charger/adapter
I have a multi adapter i got from Maplins, I have matched the polarity of the tips, selected the correct voltage and plugged in. - all works, but the charger/adapter is rated at 2amp and the DVD player at 1 amp am i about to blow something?
 
Ray Dunne said:
No at 2amps your charger could operate 2 dvd players, so no problem
Click to expand...

I think that is a little too simplistic, though I would also say that if it is working fine now, don't worry too much.

If it is one of the modern, lightweight, chargers (which use electronic switching to convert the voltage) the output voltage will be regulated and there will be no problem.

A potential problem arises with older very basic transformer based chargers which may put out a much higher voltage if underloaded. This can lead to rechargeable batteries in the device being severely overcharged if left connected too long.

Vic

EDIT: Oh! ... this applies to lots of boaty bits as well !!
 
Last edited:
VicMallows said:
I think that is a little too simplistic, though I would also say that if it is working fine now, don't worry too much.

If it is one of the modern, lightweight, chargers (which use electronic switching to convert the voltage) the output voltage will be regulated and there will be no problem.

A potential problem arises with older very basic transformer based chargers which may put out a much higher voltage if underloaded. This can lead to rechargeable batteries in the device being severely overcharged if left connected too long.

Vic

EDIT: Oh! ... this applies to lots of boaty bits as well !!
Click to expand...

Thanks I dont feel too guilty now!
 
Chargers

Seconding what Vic says. The old transformer type (heavy) would give possibly a bit too much voltage. The trick is that the original charger would be made foolproof ie rated for no damage if left permanently on charge. So to be safe do not leave the alternative charger on for longer than a few hours.
This is assuming the player has NiMh rechargeables. If the player has lithium batteries it probably has charge control built into the batteries or the player in which case no problem but if the charger has the charge control built in for Li batteries you could be in trouble especially if you over charge. I suspect a remote possibility. in any case don't leave it on charge too long. olewill
 
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