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Why are power supplies so expensive?

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    Why are power supplies so expensive?

    I need to get a power supply for an external sound card and been quoted £30.

    Given that just about every elecrrical appliance seems to come with a transformer these days, even on items that cost a few quid, what do they put in these transformers that make them so specific to the product they are powering? In our case the sound card should get it's juice from a firewire connection out of a macbook but overloads the mac on power up.

    #2
    What spec are you after? If it has about the right voltage within a fair range and sufficient current rating, can't see why any wouldn't do. Who doesn't have a big box of old power supplies from things that no longer work?
    bloggoth

    If everything isn't black and white, I say, 'Why the hell not?'
    John Wayne (My guru, not to be confused with my beloved prophet Jeremy Clarkson)

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by singhr View Post
      I need to get a power supply for an external sound card and been quoted £30.

      Given that just about every elecrrical appliance seems to come with a transformer these days, even on items that cost a few quid, what do they put in these transformers that make them so specific to the product they are powering? In our case the sound card should get it's juice from a firewire connection out of a macbook but overloads the mac on power up.
      Go to B&Q and take a look at the cordless drills

      B&Q drill kit with charger and battery + assorted bits £38

      Replacement New charger £47
      Replacement New battery £36

      WTF
      Confusion is a natural state of being

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by xoggoth View Post
        What spec are you after? If it has about the right voltage within a fair range and sufficient current rating, can't see why any wouldn't do. Who doesn't have a big box of old power supplies from things that no longer work?
        good shout! I'll go hunting.

        Comment


          #5
          Check the current rating required

          http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=35927

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Diver View Post
            Go to B&Q and take a look at the cordless drills

            B&Q drill kit with charger and battery + assorted bits £38

            Replacement New charger £47
            Replacement New battery £36

            WTF
            agreed

            Comment


              #7
              Sorry to hijack the thread, but I've got a general power supply question.

              If I get a replacement transformer but the current (that's the bit in mA I'm guessing ) is much higher than the old one, will it do any damage to the device?
              ǝןqqıʍ

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by DiscoStu View Post
                Sorry to hijack the thread, but I've got a general power supply question.

                If I get a replacement transformer but the current (that's the bit in mA I'm guessing ) is much higher than the old one, will it do any damage to the device?
                No, as long as the voltage is the same.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by DiscoStu View Post
                  Sorry to hijack the thread, but I've got a general power supply question.

                  If I get a replacement transformer but the current (that's the bit in mA I'm guessing ) is much higher than the old one, will it do any damage to the device?
                  No, except that a cheap power supply may give a higher voltage than the nominal value, when it is not fully loaded.
                  Step outside posh boy

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I am looking for 16VAC 1000mA and been googling for last half hour trying to find a cheap alternative. Maplin throws up links on Google but they appear to be red herrings.

                    Comment

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