Can I use any 12V adaptor for a keyboard?

I bouth an electronic keyboard that requires a 12V 1.5 A AC adaptor but did not come with one. I have a 12V 1300 mA adaptor lying around the house. Can I use that ? I hope I won't destroy anything if I test it out? Or will just the top volume of the keyboard be limited, and all else should work fine?

Reply to
nonsense
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No you can't just use any 12V AC adaptor on your keyboard. Here's why:

  1. the keyboard specifies needing 1.5A. Yours is only rated for 1.3A
  2. some AC adaptors output AC voltage, while others ouput DC voltage (you need to know which one your keyboard requires)
  3. the plug that goes into your keyboard likely has 2 contacts - the sleeve (outside) and the centre (inside). Depending on the adaptor, the 12V could be on the sleeve, or on the centre. If your keyboard requires the opposite of what the adaptor plug has on it, very bad things could happen.
Reply to
tempus fugit

It might damage the adaptor if the keyboard actually draws the full

1.5A, or it might not.

Whether or not it will damage the keyboard depends upon whether the keyboard needs e.g. 12V+/-0.1V or 12V+/-3V.

The thing about "12V" supplies is that 12V is the nominal voltage for most car electrics. In a car, the actual voltage can be anywhere from 11V with a flat battery to over 15V with the engine running. Anything designed to be fitted in a car will be designed with this tolerance in mind. "12V" supplies are often designed assuming this tolerance, but if you have a device that really needs close to 12V, it may not like 15V.

Reply to
Nobody

schreef in bericht news: snipped-for-privacy@s21g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...

One can never be sure. 1300mA is less them 1500mA so if the keyboard needs that 1500mA the adaptor can become (too) hot or even destroy itself. Another chanche is a voltage drop so the keyboard may malfunction. You can give it a try. For all I can see you may blow a fuse but I expect no other damage. That's to say, not immediately. If you're lucky the 1300mA is enough but if you want to stay on the safe side you'll have to find an 1.5A or better adaptor.

petrus bitbyter

Reply to
petrus bitbyter

I checked and both require DC voltage. The specs on the keyboard adaptor are: Input: AC voltage 120V, 60 Hz Output: DC12V 1.5A

The specs on mine are:

AC Input 100-120V AC 50/60 Hz 25VA DC Output: + 12V 1.25A

The pins on both look the same. What do you think? I also know the electronic keyboard takes 6 C cell batteries. Do you think I could use a AA to C cell size converter like this one:

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Reply to
nonsense

berichtnews: snipped-for-privacy@s21g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...

I dont ever plan to play it anywhere near full volume, so will that mean it will draw less current?

Reply to
nonsense

berichtnews: snipped-for-privacy@s21g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...

Yes, lower volume will draw less current. Just make sure the polarity is correct. Usually the adapter will have a picture showing the connector and the polarity of the center, make sure the keyboard is the same. If it all matches up, try and play it for 10 minutes and see how hot the adapter gets. Mike

Reply to
amdx

schreef in bericht news: snipped-for-privacy@v17g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...

berichtnews: snipped-for-privacy@s21g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...

Most likely the power amplifiers in the keyboard are class AB which means more volume requires more current.

You can find out by powering the keyboard by the appropriate batteries and measuring voltage and current. Almost every (cheap) unimeter will do. Small(er) batteries may not be able to provide the required current. If they do not fail immediately they will last for only a short time.

petrus bitbyter

Reply to
petrus bitbyter

Examine the casing next to the power jack for a symbol showing whether the pin in the middle is "+" or "-" and make sure the power pack is the same or it will let the magic smoke out of your keyboard!

You might just get away with the underrated power pack - but feel its temperature regularly in use.

Reply to
ian field

Thanks for all the replies. My keyboard came today and my home adapter works fine with that. I checked the polarity and it was the same as the manufacturers one. The adapter does not seem to be getting hot while using it.

Reply to
nonsense

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