AC Adapter Question - Is less mA OK?

M

Mike Miller

Guest
I have a iPaq PDA. It has a cradle that it sits in to sync data via
USB to a computer. The cradle has an AC adapter hole so you can plug
in a AC adapter to charge while you sync.

The cradle says it needs to be 5v 2A. I have found some universal AC
adapters that will fit, but they are less Amperage... 800mA for
example.

I have a different USB cable that allows the PDA to charge via the USB
and I know that USB is never higher than 500mA.

My question is - Consider that the USB cable charges at 500mA, will a
universal AC adapter with only 800mA of the 2A listed on the cradle
still be able to charge the unit?

My guess is yes, but it will just take longer to charge.

Please CC mikemiller@cox.net in your response.

Thank You
Mike Miller
Vista, CA
 
If the unit needs 2 amps, the 800 ma one will most likely burn out. Under
too high a load its voltage will drop too far, and it will eventually fail.

--

Greetings,

Jerry Greenberg GLG Technologies GLG
=========================================
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Electronics http://www.zoom-one.com/electron.htm
=========================================


"Mike Miller" <mikemiller@cox.net> wrote in message
news:2ace643a.0403161045.15d21149@posting.google.com...
I have a iPaq PDA. It has a cradle that it sits in to sync data via
USB to a computer. The cradle has an AC adapter hole so you can plug
in a AC adapter to charge while you sync.

The cradle says it needs to be 5v 2A. I have found some universal AC
adapters that will fit, but they are less Amperage... 800mA for
example.

I have a different USB cable that allows the PDA to charge via the USB
and I know that USB is never higher than 500mA.

My question is - Consider that the USB cable charges at 500mA, will a
universal AC adapter with only 800mA of the 2A listed on the cradle
still be able to charge the unit?

My guess is yes, but it will just take longer to charge.

Please CC mikemiller@cox.net in your response.

Thank You
Mike Miller
Vista, CA
 
"Jerry G." <jerryg50@hotmail.com> writes:

If the unit needs 2 amps, the 800 ma one will most likely burn out. Under
too high a load its voltage will drop too far, and it will eventually fail.
Click to expand...
However, in this case, 2 A at 5 V sounds quite high for that device and
may be that high to handle all possible options that can be installed.
I don't know. So, it's possible that it only needs a much lower current
the way you are using it in which case 800 mA may be fine.

What may be just as critical though is regulation. The 5 V at 2 A
adapter they would provide is almost certainly regulated. If your
adapter isn't, then there could be unreliable operation or damage.

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Important: The email address in this message header may no longer work. To
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"Mike Miller" <mikemiller@cox.net> wrote in message
news:2ace643a.0403161045.15d21149@posting.google.com...
I have a iPaq PDA. It has a cradle that it sits in to sync data via
USB to a computer. The cradle has an AC adapter hole so you can plug
in a AC adapter to charge while you sync.

The cradle says it needs to be 5v 2A. I have found some universal AC
adapters that will fit, but they are less Amperage... 800mA for
example.

I have a different USB cable that allows the PDA to charge via the USB
and I know that USB is never higher than 500mA.

My question is - Consider that the USB cable charges at 500mA, will a
universal AC adapter with only 800mA of the 2A listed on the cradle
still be able to charge the unit?

My guess is yes, but it will just take longer to charge.

Please CC mikemiller@cox.net in your response.

Thank You
Mike Miller
Vista, CA
Click to expand...
 
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