DC Barrel Connector Adapter Assortment for Bench Power Supplies - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Bushougoma
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 04:36:38 pm
content: I don't know if anyone posted about these before but I was browsing E-bay one night to stock up on 3.5mm headphone connectors and came across these by accident and just wanted to share.We've all been there you need to power some piece of electronic equipment with your bench power supply because you don't have the adapter and the manufacturer didn't use a standard size barrel connector.At this point I usually get my alligator clips out and hope they will stay put or get out the soldering iron and tack the leads from my supply to the underside of the power connector.These adapters take a standard 2.1mm ID 5.5mm OD barrel connector and convert it to many different connector sizes. They're pretty handy to have around.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 05:23:04 pm
content: Add one of these:And you're in business.

author: Jidis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 05:29:33 pm
content: Good deal, wasn't aware of those. They're on the way! I've been using the cord from one of those "universal" AC/DC adapters with the little star of plug types on the end, but it only has four plus a nine volt style.BTW- Do those colors they use on the tip insulators hold some specific meaning? I hadn't really thought about them until I saw a bunch in one place like that.Thanks!

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 05:40:23 pm
content: Quote from: Jidis on September 06, 2017, 05:29:33 pmSadly not. There is zero standardisation of these, apart from the basic dimensions. Some Japanese kit followed an informal standard, for a while, but not long enough to be reliable. Bottom line: always read the voltage plate and always note the polarity.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 06:50:43 pm
content: There are others that also give all 3 USB connections, regular B, mini and micro with the same barrel end. Useful things, I got these with a power bank as accessories, and they have proved to be useful.

author: Bushougoma
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 07:51:31 pm
content: Quote from: Jidis on September 06, 2017, 05:29:33 pmNot only do the colors on these not hold any meaning they vary from lot to lot. I purchased 2 sets of these and one set has a certain size connector with a blue inner ring and the other same size connector from another set had a black ring.They also have letters on them and those also vary from lot to lot and don't correlate with a specific connector size.

author: Bushougoma
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 07:53:53 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on September 06, 2017, 06:50:43 pmI found something similar search micro usb 5.5 2.1.They're a buck each shipped I'm definitely getting those. They also make a 90 degree version.I suppose you could buy a USB cable and chop the other end off but these take up less storage space.

author: Jidis
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 10:34:32 pm
content: Quote from: Bushougoma on September 06, 2017, 07:51:31 pmMan, that is screwed up. I was wondering about it more for DC plugs in general than that particular set. It seems like the more colorful ones (usually yellow) tend to always be on higher powered switch mode stuff like laptop bricks. Maybe they just figure the cosmetics are more important there than for regular cheap wall warts.Take Care

author: Prime
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2017, 08:05:55 am
content: I've been told that the there is now supposed to be a standard to make them centre positive going forward however I'm highly skeptical because there doesn't seem to be any other standard associated with them.Curious to the origins of the DC barrel plugSent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

author: Prime
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2017, 08:07:38 am
content: Quote from: Bushougoma on September 06, 2017, 07:53:53 pmHave you measured if they short the data lines or put a 200 ohm resistance between them?Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

author: Bushougoma
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2017, 11:51:53 am
content: Quote from: Prime on September 07, 2017, 08:07:38 amI should have them in 2 - 3 weeks (slow boat from China).I'll measure them and report back.