3.4v to 4.8 to 6v dc?

I have a small electronic device that is tearing up my batteries. It will accept wall power through a transformer/converter/jack. The company wants almost as much for the OEM transformer as I purchased the item for - so OEM is out. I do have a box of old transformers from old devices - and some the jack actually fits. However, none are exactly the same volts. The device takes two AA batteries normally. The jack for external power on the device says it takes 3.4v dc. The OEM transformer says its output is 4.8v dc (per the spec sheet on-line) and the closest volt transformer I have says its output is 6v dc. Can I use the 6v transformer to power this device (again the device says input is 3.4v and the OEM transformer that goes with it is rated at 4.8v). Also, no where can I find the specific microamp(?) amount for the device - will that matter as I have two 6v dc transformers, one rated at 300ma and the other 500ma? Am I just flirting with disaster by being so cheap? Finally, I've been told that a little variation in volts is usually acceptable but in general, how much variation is too much? (for example, an 18v rechargable drill I have has a charger rated at 20v) Thanks!

 

It's highly dependent on the type of device (lots of electronics? or just a motorized doodad?) and the protection built in by the maker. 1.2 v is not typically a big difference, but 2.6 volts (6.0 - 3.4) is a 75% overage.

I can find just about any common wall wart voltage range at a local electronics surplus place for around $5, and splice on the proper plug. That would be my first recommendation.

Based on the info you have provided, and assuming the worst case is that the thing just goes "poof" and doesn't start a fire, I would just ask you, "Do you feel lucky?"

Otherwise, what is it, where is the spec sheet, and so on.

 

Check Radio Shack. I have a variable step down transformer from them which has 3-4.5-6-7.5-9-and 12 volt DC outputs at 800 mA. They have tips of various sizes and can be set up for + or - on the polarity. If it helps, the catalog No. is 273-1667.

 

Yeah, Radio Shack has made quite an effort to be able to provide the right transformer for any charging need, I've bought a couple from them

 

Thanks for the heads-up about Radio Shack. I checked their web-site and they list adapters for about $20. This is a lot cheaper than the OEM adapter, but I was trying to get away with FREE (i.e. one of the ones I already have). It looks though that I may have no choice unless I really "feel lucky" - which I don't.
Thanks