Re: 4.5 volt charger, not 5 volt?

Mar 24, 2006 3 Replies
E


I have 3 FujiFilm digital cameras that all use the same type of 5 volt


>chargers. One of the chargers is missing, and I want to give my oldest
>camera to my daughter. I can only find 4.5 volt universal chargers that fit
>the camera's plug-in. I can set the polarity correctly. Will the slightly
>lower voltage damage the camera? Will it be sufficient to recharge the
>battery? I hesitate to "just try it" because of the possible damage. Is
>there a better place for me to post this query?

Chargers like this often have a fair degree of tolerance and personally I suspect it'll work. AFAIUI voltage is like a 'pressure' that pushes the current through, slightly less pressure shouldn't therefore cause any problems - it'll either work or not work.


I've added sci.electronics.misc so one of the large-foreheaded boffins in there can either confirm it, or tell me I'm an idiot.

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A

Digital electronics don't like being run at voltages for which they were not designed. Electronics gates may fail to fully turn on or off. At a lower voltage, some devices will draw more current and may exceed their design parameters.

If the camera is worth more than $150, why not spend the $30 to find the right adapter? Get one used on ebay if you're too damn cheap.

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Y

Nice story !! but the Camera actually runs on the Internal Battery . and none of the quoted nonsense applies.

The quoted 4.5 Volts may actually be the Average Voltage from the Charger and may well be 5.0 volts peak, which is the part of the waveform that charges the batteries. The test is does the battery hold a full Charge after an overnight charge cycle. Try it!. Worst case is the battery will not come to a full charge . In which case you have your answer.

Yukio YANO

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A

The AC adapter is magically wired to the battery without any electronics.

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