*One* AC adapter for multiple devices (multiple connectors)

Hi,

I have some rather unique requirement and I'm not sure I've seen a gem like this before. So please bear with me.

I'm trying to locate a company that sells AC/DC adapters (100-240VAC to 5VDC/2.0A) that are able to power multiple devices simultaneously. The adapter tips need to be the same, which is 0.8mm inner and 2.5mm outer. I need at least 12 tips with each adapter although I can make do with one adapter that has 8 tips for my demo.


TL;DR;

Input: 100-240VAC
Output: 5VDC/2.0A
Number of connector tips per AC adapter: 8
Outer negative / Inner positive

Does this thing exist?

Thanks!

 

The actual adapter you are looking for is fairly common but I'm not sure what you mean by 8 tips.

Do you need a power supply with 8 plugs to power 8 things at once ?

 

>> Do you need a power supply with 8 plugs to power 8 things at once ?

Exactly!

Thanks

 

I am not aware of anything common that does this.

One could probably make one, but you'd just be wiring eight tips in parallel to a 5V 16A DC power supply, and that's an unusual configuration. You might be able to find a computer power supply for that, but then it's not in a pretty plastic enclosure.

If it's any consolation, a decade ago when LCD monitors were DC-powered I had considered putting three 12VDC outputs on my computer power supply to plug three monitors into (I had a triple-head setup back then) to attempt to improve the efficiency by using only one device to convert AC to DC, but before I could afford the monitors (previously used three tubes, that was a BIG desk), LCD monitors switched to mostly having the AC to DC conversion inside of the monitor housing.

 

I found This and along with 8 of these you would just need a 5VDC @ 16A Power Supply

I think that's the best you could do unless you want to do some soldering

 

It might be possible to use an un-powered USB hub as the base for building one. Power would go into one port through a modified USB cable. then you would take four USB cables, male to male, cut in half and add your DC plugs to the cut end of the resulting eight cables. You might even be able to find a powered USB hub with enough amps and skip one step of it.

 

Not sure if this is helpful or not but you may want to look at companies like this ... there are quite a few products like you describe setup for 9v operation marketed to guitar players to power their effects pedals. They also sell pre-made daisy-chain cords, so if you already have a 5v power supply that can handle the current that could be something to explore too.

 

I was thinking the same thing, Friendly, but the size of the connectors for guitar pedals is quite a bit bigger than the 2.5mm that's needed here.

Also a 16 amp DC power supply is going to be more than those daisy-chains can handle.

I don't think there's any choice but to buy the connectors and heat up the soldering iron. Use a terminal strip so the distro can handle the load.

 

Very interesting! Let's say I get a 5VDC/16A adapter and the 8 way splitter you found above, don't I need resistors placed at each end to prevent the full 16A of current from accidentally flowing through one cable?

In case my question isn't clear, what's guaranteeing the even distribution of 2A per cable (wire)? Or does it evenly distribute the 16A across the 8 cables?

Thanks

 

I thought about this at first but then realized that a lot of work needs to go into modifying the hub. Not to mention that USB is transforms at 2V in.

 

Each device will pull the power it needs.

The "feeder" cable has to take the entire 16-amp load, and I can't see that happening on such a small cable. Watch it very closely to make sure it doesn't burn, melt and short.

Have you found a 16-amp supply yet?

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Johnston

Have you found a 16-amp supply yet?

No I haven't. Any recommendations?

Thanks

 

I don't have any specific recommendations, but I'm thinking that for the best price/performance you'll have to go with a 450 watt or better desktop computer supply.