mystery power adapter, how to measure output?

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Matt Kime

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Oct 26, 2009, 5:15:50 PM10/26/09
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i have a kensington universal power adapter with several plugs. the
different plugs supply different voltage..how do i measure the voltage
without plugging the power supply into an appropriate device?

thanks,
matt

Ronald "Monty" Montemayor

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Oct 26, 2009, 5:21:03 PM10/26/09
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voltmeter?

Matthew Sparks

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Oct 26, 2009, 6:04:32 PM10/26/09
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You could plug it in and measure each plug with a voltmeter or
you could go here
http://us.kensington.com/html/1458.html
find the technical specs on the model you have and look it up

Matt Sparks

Ryan Micallef

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Oct 26, 2009, 6:20:11 PM10/26/09
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Did you have an inappropriate device in mind?

Matt Kime

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Oct 26, 2009, 6:33:23 PM10/26/09
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I was under the impression that you can only measure voltage under load.

michaeldepasquale

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Oct 26, 2009, 6:41:36 PM10/26/09
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voltage is a constant thing and can be measured when ever feel like
it amps and watts are different thing

Stephen DeLay Jr.

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Oct 26, 2009, 6:41:52 PM10/26/09
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The voltmeter would act as the load

Sent from my iPod

Rob Graham

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Oct 26, 2009, 6:42:57 PM10/26/09
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current usually varies the most with load.  On power supplies, it's usually the voltage that's regulated, not the current.


From: Matt Kime <matt...@gmail.com>
To: nycresistormi...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Mon, October 26, 2009 6:33:23 PM
Subject: [NYCR:Microcontrollers] Re: mystery power adapter, how to measure output?

Ben Combee

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Oct 26, 2009, 6:53:58 PM10/26/09
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On Mon, Oct 26, 2009 at 5:33 PM, Matt Kime <matt...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I was under the impression that you can only measure voltage under load.

Cheap non-switching power supplies will vary their voltage depending
on the load. Usually systems using those kind of supplies have an
internal power regulator like a 7805 that ensures that the voltage is
constant.

Dan Lavin

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Oct 26, 2009, 8:11:08 PM10/26/09
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Use a resistor as a dummy load and measure the voltage with a meter.
Estimate the resistance by looking at the requirements for the device
you want to use it with. You do not have to be particularly close. If
in doubt, try for a 100ma load, i.e. 100 ohms for a 10volt supply.
Don't worry about wattage; you are only going to apply power for a few
seconds.

Matt Kime

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Oct 27, 2009, 7:30:27 AM10/27/09
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I stand corrected, and better yet, educated.

AND

The power supply works for my needs!

thanks!

Ronald "Monty" Montemayor

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Oct 27, 2009, 9:40:05 AM10/27/09
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dont worry, these are not inborn talent.
 
I licked a 9v battery once, because I didn't ask.

michaeldepasquale

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Oct 27, 2009, 9:49:01 AM10/27/09
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i was going to say lick it and have some count how long your out for in seconds and thats the aprox voltage.....


just kidding 

Rob Graham

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Oct 27, 2009, 10:20:00 AM10/27/09
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Are you not supposed to do that?  I still lick a 9v to see if it's dead or not.


From: "Ronald "Monty" Montemayor" <rbmont...@gmail.com>
To: nycresistormi...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tue, October 27, 2009 9:40:05 AM

Subject: [NYCR:Microcontrollers] Re: mystery power adapter, how to measure output?

Ronald "Monty" Montemayor

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Oct 27, 2009, 11:04:31 AM10/27/09
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my tongue is very sensitive. i guess its ok for a regular batt.
 
but, how about some lipo battery?
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