Show us Your Wall Wart Pile(s) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2017, 07:41:57 pm
content: Just added another one to the pile - from a failed Black & Decker screwdriver - 9V 100mA. It's quite amazing how many pile up. I use them here and there from time to time, sometimes changing the connector. I just can't throw them away.Show me your wall wart pile - I know some of you can easily out-do my pile.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2017, 07:51:41 pm
content: I have an even bigger pile than that, and yet I never seem to have quite the one I need.

author: aargee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2017, 11:50:16 pm
content: I recently had an overhaul of my pile, pretty much dumped most linear DC plug packs, unless they had some special features.I kept the T-800 charger, just in case I needed it in the future.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 12:28:05 am
content: Most of mine seem to be of the 9V and 12V variety. Less are of the 6V, 7.5V, and 5V - came from old cordless phones, routers, radios, and who knows what. Some simply step down the line volts to a lower AC like 9V.

author: mmagin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 12:34:27 am
content: Quote from: aargee on March 23, 2017, 11:50:16 pmThose are the ones I always keep, since they're not horribly noisy!Other than that, I generally keep any decently made ones with proper safety approvals, they come in handy. Just wired one up to a small water pump for a project my wife was working on.

author: PointyOintment
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 09:10:26 am
content: At my hackerspace we keep switching ones over 5 W, and send the others to recycling unless there's something especially useful about them. We usually write the specs on the side in large text with a gold paint marker, and strap the coiled-up cord to the side of the unit with a zip tie, both to make digging through the drawer to find a suitable one easier. I'll try to remember to get a photo next time I'm there.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 11:16:44 am
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on March 24, 2017, 08:32:06 amOh Yea! That's what I'm takin' about!

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 02:05:18 pm
content: TerraHertz- my pile would come close to that ... but I think you would just edge me out.

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 03:46:11 pm
content: I don't have much of a pile of them. Most of mine have some kind of device associated with them (or will be useful for something else), and are scattered around all over the place.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 03:51:13 pm
content: Yeah I prefer the old iron transformer type in many cases too, the output is cleaner and they are much more reliable. I replaced the wall wart on my router with an old transformer type after going through 3 or 4 of the switchmode type. I re-capped them a couple times, others blew up beyond reasonable repair. I don't think any of the switchmode adapters lasted more than a year or so. Iron transformer wall warts are getting harder to find, the switchers are everywhere.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 03:54:07 pm
content: Another thing people might not consider initially too is the other end - the power connector. Sometimes they can come in handy, especially if you need an odd one and you happen to have one on a saved wall wart. Simply cut it off and splice it on as you need - observing the correct polarity of course.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 04:07:58 pm
content: The photo shows my primary stash. There are a couple of smaller stashes elsewhere. I always find myself questioning my understanding of statistics when I look for a suitable wall wart. I usually have to go through 90% or more of the pile to find something suitable. Even if I am not trying to match the connector too.Do you guys also accumulate chargers? I have a similar stash of battery chargers, most aimed at NiCads, but a sprinkling of Pb and Lithium chemistry battery chargers. They seem too good to pitch, but I haven't repurposed one yet that I recall.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 05:00:47 pm
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on March 24, 2017, 04:07:58 pmThat happens to me with everything. Just last night I was looking for a dual power diode to repair the PSU in an old oscilloscope and I went through my entire drawer of small power semiconductors and the very last one I came to was a perfect sub for the part I needed.I have a BC700 for AA/AAA cells and a couple of multi-chemistry chargers for my RC hobbies and have found that's about all I need. The others I put in the donation pile I take to the local thrift store.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2017, 12:21:25 am
content: This would be a good place to mention a silly 'life hack' I saw, on 9gag I think. Nice way to keep cables in order, by recycling the humble...

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2017, 12:24:00 am
content: Good idea! ^^^

author: Sredni
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2017, 01:09:54 am
content: One can use these bottles for the same purpose.http://www.thebearandthefox.com/2014/11/diy-play-kitchen-milk-juice-bottles/

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 26, 2017, 05:12:02 am
content: I've started using zip lock bags. No issues with cables getting snagged."One of these days" I am thinking about going through the lot and write the V & A specs on the bag - and the open circuit voltage as well. Not worrying about the plugs because I can change them if need be.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2017, 10:17:10 am
content: Just thought I'd post what 84 laptop chargers look like.

author: Kilrah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 29, 2017, 01:08:40 pm
content: That plus a few more somewhere else.Chucked a bunch not long ago though...

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2017, 02:06:28 pm
content: I'm using velcro type stuff for most cables.

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2017, 04:30:57 pm
content: I disect the HV capacitors from unused power supplies. So I only have piles of dead circuit boards.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2017, 12:27:08 am
content: Apparently you guys haven't heard of rubber bands .. you can buy bags of them for less than 5-10$, and in various widths and thicknesses for examplehttps://www.amazon.com/Universal-Rubber-Bands-Size-432/dp/B000783OSA/https://www.amazon.com/Business-Source-Rubber-Bands-Assorted/dp/B003SBU94U/

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2017, 01:06:28 am
content: I usually save old wall warts "just in case" and I now have a 14 liter plastic box full of them, but over the last 10-15 years "just in case" has happened maybe twice.

author: yada
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2017, 01:16:02 am
content: Wouldn't be worth saving the linear ones since transformers are boing replaced by little SMA chargers? I like the old ones because they don't interfere with my SDR. Amazing how one little SMA can totally ruin the spectrum burying everything below the noise floor. f I had enough I would go to my neighbors and replace all their sma chargers with linear ones.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2017, 01:20:57 am
content: I've cracked a few open so as to use the little power supply in another project. If it's decent quality anyway - beware of looking inside - you might not like what you find ... and you might not sleep well after that knowing that what you saw is out there in the field multiplied by 100,000.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2017, 09:08:44 am
content: Quote from: mariush on May 01, 2017, 12:27:08 amLeave them on PVC for a year or two and come back to me about how good they are, if you can get the goo off, and leave no marks or discolouration in the cable and plastic cases, you have been very lucky.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2017, 10:08:00 am
content: Quote from: xrunner on May 01, 2017, 01:20:57 amJust 10^5? I'd think 10^8. I've found a nice and power-saving solution for all the wall warts in my SOHO data center. I've built a simple PDU powered by an 80+ Gold ATX PSU and added DC/DC converters for the common voltages. I've expected to see some decrease in power consumption, but it turned out to be halfed. That was surprising! As everyone else here, I keep a box of old wall warts for spares and projects. If a relative or friend asks for a spare PSU I simply ask "which color?"

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2017, 10:37:00 am
content: Rubber bands cause dramas down the track when they deteriorate into a sticky gunky mess, or dry/shrivel up and blow away,leaving the once 'sorted' wall wart stash in chaos and tangled spaghetti HELL..Plastic coated wire ties (that people can't wait to bin) work better than rubber bands.Cardboard dunny rolls may take 3 months or more to accumulate enough stock.Plastic sandwich bags ensuring the connector is visible, with blank used paper envelopes for labelling wall wart specs, are my current fav.I won't be tossing any linear based wall warts any time soon

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2017, 05:14:39 am
content: For unlimited quantity of free cable ties, grab any old solid-core Cat-5 cables (building wiring) you see being discarded. Cut into 1m lengths. The sheath is loose enough that the wire pairs can be easily pulled out of 1m lengths.Now you have 4 x 1m twisted pairs of nice stiff-ish copper wire. No, you don't need to 'unwind' the pairs. Just grab an end of a pair, separate the pair enough to grab one wire end in one hand and the pair a cm or so down in the other hand. Pull those fingers down along the pair like you were stripping off insulation. The 2nd wire turns into a squat spiral, separate from the other wire which is left straight. Now the spiral one can be stretched straight again.That whole action takes a couple of seconds once you get it.The single wires are the cable ties. Two turns around a mains cord bundle, pull tight, twist ends together, snip off the long remaining piece. Done. And it's reusable, since the copper can be twisted, untwisted & retwisted many times.You can do this forever for free, once you start noticing how much used blue cat-5 building wiring gets thrown out everywhere.

author: TheNewLab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2018, 09:24:18 am
content: Wall worts?!! for me it's all the batteries for everything! plus the various sizes! I no longer need "D" though

author: MrMobodies
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2018, 02:31:35 pm
content: Quote from: xrunner on March 23, 2017, 07:41:57 pmThose are my favourite power supplies.I buy the 12V ones in job lots on Ebay and I have no problems.They are LiShin sometimes rebranded but I have seen those in that shape for Wyse terminals that come in 12v. They can be opened up under the rubber feet and some of them the DC cords are socketed.I'll gather all my ones up later, my place is in a terrible state.Quote from: TerraHertz on March 24, 2017, 08:32:06 amI remember those 20 years ago. I can't remember the name but had a silver sticker ontop. They were the timed chargers with a tamiya connector for 7.2 sub-c cell packs.It said in the manual not charge the batteries with the alternator running I only found that out later when it cause the pack to smoke and leak inside.I took mine apart after that. It had a big transformer, a long white thing? resistor, a few leds, one red and green and a counter.I found an automatic one down the charity shop with a pack and it was called an M-tronics apc200 digital. It could also charge a 7.2v Nicd Bosch drill battery when the drill charger broke and I experimenting to see what would happen with some 12v 7a batteries it charged them up to 12v but it was very slow. The transfomer was noisy and it made a buzzing noise when it was charging and it had a sticker on it labelled "Drakes transformers".Edit:I just remembered the name and found one on ebay:Riko chargers