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Discussion Boards => HO => Topic started by: jonathan on March 28, 2012, 08:33:20 PM

Title: Wall Wart/Electrical Question
Post by: jonathan on March 28, 2012, 08:33:20 PM
Long story, short:

I have three wall warts to choose from, for running some tortoise switch machines, and possibly a little lighting.  All are 9V, which I know is enough to operate the machines, albeit a little more slowly than 12V.

One operates at 200mA, another 500mA, and the last has a full 1 amp.  I want to use the 9V/1amp device, thinking this would provide the most 'oomph' (tech speak for we electrically challenged).  Is 1 amp too much flow?

Thanks.

Regards,

Jonathan
Title: Re: Wall Wart/Electrical Question
Post by: richg on March 28, 2012, 08:47:47 PM
Only about 20 ma will flow for one tortoise. The machine only draws what it needs. The actual voltage from the wart might be in the vicinity of 12 volts with no load as many of these warts do not have a voltage regulator. The voltage drops as more load is put on the wart. In theory, the wart would show 9 volts with 1 amp flowing.

Rich
Title: Re: Wall Wart/Electrical Question
Post by: jonathan on March 29, 2012, 06:24:38 AM
Understood.

Thanks, Rich!

Regards,

Jonathan