Power Adapter Questions
 

Hey guys, 2 quick questions. What happened was the power adapter for my TVpad (Asian version of Roku), stopped working. So I need a replacement power adapter.

1. The original power adapter outputs 5V and 2A. My question is, can I use almost any power adapter as long as it outputs exactly 5V, and at least 2A? Do I need to worry about the power connection being able to connect to my TVpad, or are these things standardized?

2. Where can I find a good power adapter and what's a good price to pay? The cheapest I can find at Amazon is around $9

$9 is a good price

1. Yes, anything that can put out 5V and at least 2A and has the same style output connector and pinout for that connector will do. Unfortunately ratings can be exaggerated for power adapters that aren't safety certified by UL or CSA, and many uncertified adapters say they're UL or CSA certified but aren't (fakes rarely have registration numbers accompanying those logos).

2. Radio Shack, Jameco Electronics, and MCM Electronics are some of the few sources that sell mostly UL or CSA certified power adapters, but they don't specify device compatibility, only the voltage, current, plug style, size, and pinout. Because you need an adapter that puts out only one voltage and uses a round plug, something suitable should be easy to find. Amazon, Ebay, and most Internet dealers sell uncertified stuff.

What type of connector is it? If it a barrel connector the other thing to watch out for is polarization of the plug. (IE where plus and negative are). The other thing is will this box output in NTSC for US TV's?

also we need to know if it hogs bandwidth.

PSP charger 5V 2A
ebay.com/itm/330737529051 new but not made by sony.

this used one maybe better quality ebay.com/itm/111010471745


by the way, how do you make sure the problem is power adapter?

Confused now

in the previous thread related to this device we we talked about how it hogged bandwidth.

It's fairly important that a replacement adapter have compatible dimensions and the same polarity.

Here's a picture of the power adapter:
http://i.imgur.com/0oyAcn7.jpg [imgur.com]

I am really tempted to get this because it's cheap and I just have this feeling if it works for a roku, it would work for my tvpad:
http://www.amazon.com/Power-Suppl...apter+roku

I don't know exactly how to check polarity. And I want to say it does output NTSC, since we are watching this in the US.

Also, I found out it was the power adapter because I actually have 2 tvpads. When the first one "died," I searched online and someone said it could be a power adapter problem. So I tried swapping power adapters and the bad one won't power up either tvpad.

[EDIT: ignore the following 100% wrong informaiton]...complete with fake UL listing and I'm pretty sure a fake FCC approval. [EDIT]

A real UL listing will have a number in the form Exxxxxxx under the "UL" or "RU" symbol, like E168210 (that's Asian Power Devices, which produces lots of plug-in AC adapters.

Couldn't you find any UL/CSA power supplies at Radio Shack, Jameco, or MCM?

I say the FCC approval is fake because the non-UL, non-CSA power supplies I've seen had no line filter and would induce noise into some computer sound systems. Noise filters also provide some surge protection.

Usually the outer barrel is negative polarity, or ground, while the center contact is positive, but you can't always assume that and must measure with a meter (ohms meter may let you do this with the power turned off and any battery removed). If there's a round NTSC video connector, its outer metal shell witll be at ground, so try measuring ohms between it and the outer connection of the powr adapter. Zero ohms between them, regardless of how the meter leads are connected, is a good sign that the outer power connection is ground. The power adapter in your picture definitely has the ground on the outside and the positive terminal in the middle, as indicated by that diagram just above the "MADE IN CHINA" writing.

wrong logic.
it's not the exact clone of Roku. you can't think that way.
if you read the specifications closely, and do the math, or a little observation.
you will find the Roku one you posted is 7mm Diameter, and the picture of tvpad you posted doesn't look like 7mm at all, more like 3.5mm.

i bet 10 bucks the PSP charger will work. (1000 and 2000 has 2A, newer 3000 only 1.5A)

or this one ebay.com/itm/400374771104

The label on the adapter shows the polarity using this type of marking: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polarity_symbols

The label does give a UL listing number E329947 which is a real listing number that comes up as SHANGHANG XIANGHUI ELECTRONICS CO LTD. It was my understanding that the picture was of the power adapter it came with. The listing info [ul.com] includes this model number.

As far as plug dimensions, you have to compare to plugs of known dimensions and/or use calipers. I wouldn't make a habit of taking a power supply you think is bad and testing it on a device you know is good, you could damage the device. It's better to test the power adapter independently.

My mistake -- my big, big mistake. :(