Best Alternative to Wallwart? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 12:21:14 am
content: Hello all, this is my first post here as I just signed up. I've been lurking around for a while now and really enjoy Dave's videos.I was hoping someone can point me in the right direction here, I'm looking for a good transformer (not to mention inexpensive) to take the place of a 16VAC (minimum 250mA) wall transformer.I'm hoping to find something in the ~$5 range (quantity: 100) and I'm located in the US (I've checked Mouser and Digikey but didn't come across anything that was cost-effective).BTW, thanks for a great forum.

author: TerminalJack505
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 01:25:58 am
content: Ebay is a good source for such things.

author: TriodeTiger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 01:39:47 am
content: Assuming your wallwart was AC, maybe something such as this?16VAC (8x2), $6.74/50, 300mAhttp://www.newark.com/hammond/164e16/bobbins-transformer-2x8v-2-4va/dp/79R6758$5.15/50 520mAhttp://www.newark.com/hammond/161fa16/bobbins-transformer/dp/66F7590Those are getting pretty low in price compared to what I have seen lately.

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 01:40:25 am
content: Quote from: TerminalJack505 on May 22, 2012, 01:25:58 amHmm, I suppose I could try and find a Chinese supplier through ebay (individually priced components on ebay aren't always the best deal in my experience), thanks for the idea.Does anyone have any experience working with any particular one?

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 01:41:59 am
content: Why not just take the existing transformer out of its case and put it where you need it?

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 01:42:22 am
content: Quote from: Xander on May 22, 2012, 01:39:47 amThis is excellent! Thank you for the links.

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 01:43:17 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on May 22, 2012, 01:41:59 amSorry but you lost me.There is no existing transformer.

author: TriodeTiger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 01:47:50 am
content: Quote from: StubbornGreek on May 22, 2012, 01:43:17 amI believe he meant purchase any wallwart that puts out 16VAC, and rip the transformer out of the wallwart. Free if you only wanted one and already have a wallwart to spare.

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 01:52:18 am
content: Quote from: Xander on May 22, 2012, 01:47:50 amOh, I see. Not the case though, I need many of them and was trying to hit a lower price point (about half) to the WAU16-500 at Mouser. Even if there was an outlet transformer that I 'could' take apart and use for half the price, I still wouldn't do this as I need much more than one.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 01:56:19 am
content: Do you need them as warts or just loose transformers? If the latter, try looking up manufacturers directly if you need lots.

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 01:58:31 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on May 22, 2012, 01:56:19 amI need the loose transformers. I didn't think going to the manufacturer with a need of only 100 (200 max) would be fruitful. Do you know if they actually deal in such quantities?

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 02:05:32 am
content: Quote from: StubbornGreek on May 22, 2012, 01:58:31 amThe chinese ones won't, but smaller local ones may. It depends if it's a stock item or not.http://search.digikey.com/us/en/products/241-5-16/595-1046-ND/952916$5.79/100, chassis mount.http://search.digikey.com/us/en/products/PC-16-640/595-1109-ND/952979$5.91/100, through-hole.Unless you go to the Chinese you'll find it hard to go below $5 each I imagine.

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 04:51:01 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on May 22, 2012, 02:05:32 amThank you. I appreciate all the help from everyone.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 08:27:31 am
content: If you don't absolutely require AC output why not a cheap SMPS? A lot of devices that take AC inputs have a rectifier inside so they should be fine with a DC input.

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 03:52:12 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on May 22, 2012, 08:27:31 amThe circuit actually has a dc element (batteries for mobile operation) so if I use a dc adapter, the batteries will at least partially be in use when the device is plugged in.

author: olsenn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 03:56:20 pm
content: Amazon

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2012, 04:26:21 pm
content: Wow, I honestly can't believe how much support I've gotten from this community in such a short time.I think I'm going to go the route where I contact a US manufacturer directly and see if they'll sell me 100-200 units directly.