I have an ancient IBM laptop. I also have a serial remote CDROM drive. But, I don't have a pwr sply for the CD drive. I've obtained a whole box full of old wallwarts (w/w) and want ot know if any of them are usable for this cdrom drive. So, my question is: If I learn the power requirements for the cdrom drive, will any w/w with the correct voltage and connector config/polarity work as long as the wattage rating of the w/w is greater than the wattage required by the drive?
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Yes, as long as the current rating is equal or greater than that required by the drive and the voltage is within limits and the polarity is correct, it will work. Be aware that wall warts typically do not have a voltage regulator. Without a regulator, expect the voltage to droop as the load increases.
There are basic kinds of wallwarts: transformers and switchers. They are not interchangeable. It gets confusing because some of the transformer types also include rectifiers and thus have dc ratings, as do the switchers.
Yes.
Just make sure you get it right though ! Especially the polarity.
If the w/w can supply *more* current than the CD player needs that's just fine as long as the voltage is right. The load only uses as much current as it requires.
Graham
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