Guest
Hi,
I'm hoping that this is a simple question to answer. Although I'm not
a technical ignoramus, I know very little about power or cabling, so I
would like some advice with what I'm trying to do!
What I need is:
* PORTABLE (i.e. non-mains) 5V DC power into 'Device A'
and
* PORTABLE (i.e. non-mains) 12V DC power into 'Device B'
What I have at my disposal (so far) is:
* A mains adapter for 'Device A' that seems to output 5V at up-to 2A
via a small-ish DC power jack (3mm outside diameter, I think)
* A mains adapter (arriving in the post tomorrow) for 'Device B' that
should output 12V at up-to 500mA via a suitably-sized DC power jack
* A 'rechargeable laptop battery pack', that can output 12V DC via a
number of different jacks, and 5V DC via a USB cable. (details here:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=48490)
What I originally wanted to do was to power both devices from the
'rechargeable laptop battery pack'. But the only 5V output from that
is via a USB cable, which will not fit the device that needs a 5V
input.
I cannot use either of the mains adapters, so I need to get DC power
from the 'rechargeable laptop battery pack' (or some equivalent).
So what should I do? I have a few ideas, but I'm not sure if they are
any good:
(a) Could I somehow construct a USB-to-DC power jack for the 5V power?
I'm not sure such a thing exists to buy, but how difficult would it be
to construct?
(b) Could I split the 12V output to two destinations (1) 'Device B'
directly; and (2) 'Device A' via some way of converting it to 5V? How
would I do this?
I'm sure what I'm trying to do shouldn't be too difficult. But I'm
just not sure how to do it, and I don't want to damage my devices or
start a fire or electrocute myself. So any advice would be
appreciated!
Thanks,
David
P.S. In terms of getting hold of kit to do this, I'm UK-based, so
ordering from UK companies would work best for me.
I'm hoping that this is a simple question to answer. Although I'm not
a technical ignoramus, I know very little about power or cabling, so I
would like some advice with what I'm trying to do!
What I need is:
* PORTABLE (i.e. non-mains) 5V DC power into 'Device A'
and
* PORTABLE (i.e. non-mains) 12V DC power into 'Device B'
What I have at my disposal (so far) is:
* A mains adapter for 'Device A' that seems to output 5V at up-to 2A
via a small-ish DC power jack (3mm outside diameter, I think)
* A mains adapter (arriving in the post tomorrow) for 'Device B' that
should output 12V at up-to 500mA via a suitably-sized DC power jack
* A 'rechargeable laptop battery pack', that can output 12V DC via a
number of different jacks, and 5V DC via a USB cable. (details here:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=48490)
What I originally wanted to do was to power both devices from the
'rechargeable laptop battery pack'. But the only 5V output from that
is via a USB cable, which will not fit the device that needs a 5V
input.
I cannot use either of the mains adapters, so I need to get DC power
from the 'rechargeable laptop battery pack' (or some equivalent).
So what should I do? I have a few ideas, but I'm not sure if they are
any good:
(a) Could I somehow construct a USB-to-DC power jack for the 5V power?
I'm not sure such a thing exists to buy, but how difficult would it be
to construct?
(b) Could I split the 12V output to two destinations (1) 'Device B'
directly; and (2) 'Device A' via some way of converting it to 5V? How
would I do this?
I'm sure what I'm trying to do shouldn't be too difficult. But I'm
just not sure how to do it, and I don't want to damage my devices or
start a fire or electrocute myself. So any advice would be
appreciated!
Thanks,
David
P.S. In terms of getting hold of kit to do this, I'm UK-based, so
ordering from UK companies would work best for me.