debcook

2008-09-10 21:03:06

Universal power adapters are one of the most useful gadgets that anyone could purchase. Have you ever misplaced a charging cable? You probably have four in the junk drawer but they will not fit the device that needs to be charged.

I lost the charging cable for a portable DVD player. After searching for over a week I gave up and decided to buy a universal power adapter. It has since come in handy several times. Toys that used to require multiple batteries now have rechargeable batteries that require an AC adapter. This single adapter is much easier to keep up with.

TIP: Always label the AC power adapter with the name of the device it belongs to. Keep AC power adapters together in a drawer or storage box so the family knows where to find them and where to put them away. 

The universal power adapter that I have is from Radio Shack. It is about the size of an ordinary AC adapter power block and it stores seven different interchangeable Adaptaplugs (A, B, C, D, H, M and N) on the backside. Matching the original voltage is important so the universal power adapter can switch to voltages (3, 4, 5, 6, 7.5, 9 and 12) as needed.

My laptop requires a 16V AC power adapter so this universal power adapter would not work. The highest voltage available is 12V.

I have to remind you that it is imperative that you know the correct voltage. An electronic device can be destroyed if you plug a tip in while the AC adapter is set on the wrong voltage.

The OEM (original equipment from the manufacturer) is always the best but if you lose it all is not lost. A universal power adapter can save the day. 2008-09-10