Looking for supplier of Australian 12v dc plug packs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: m12lrpv
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2020, 11:49:43 pm
content: All projects need power. And with one of my projects I'm at that very stage and i'm wondering if anyone has any go to suppliers they use for such things.I need about 20 x 12V 1A Wall Warts with either Australian or universal plugs and 2.1mm centre positive output jacks.Most places that google shows up are well over $20 each or there's $5 ebay items that I cannot trust.Element 14 has some for about $12 each but I thought it prudent to ask around first just in case someone knows a good alternative source of non-junk power packs.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2020, 12:58:48 am
content: I use Powermaster supplies, who use a Chinese OEM but as far as I'm aware it's been the same supplier for years. I first started using their linear supplies back about 30 years ago. Have a SMPS powering this LED display I have in front of me, it's been running a couple of years continuously no probs.If you are going to buy a lot of them it might pay to shuck one and look at the internals. I buy mine mostly as replacements, since they work fine haven't bothered looking inside one for years. I typically run power supplies derated at about 60-75% of max load. Price and efficiency are a factor, but I care more about long term reliability.http://www.accesscomms.com.au/powermaster/

author: m12lrpv
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2020, 02:21:13 am
content: Thanks. Much appreciated.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 10, 2020, 02:57:44 am
content: I have a stack of power supplies but would be scratching to find twenty 1A plug packs which were all the same and had a 2.1mm centre positive plug. It's a damn shame you couldn't get away with 500mA plug packs otherwise you could have these below for the cost of postage. I also have another box of supplies somewhere else but from memory they were a mixed assortment of larger supplies.

author: m12lrpv
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2020, 03:11:40 am
content: I appreciate the offer.My peak current draw is around 450mA which makes it quite a tantalising offer but it doesn't leave much headroom on a 500mA supply. 1A will have me sleeping a bit better at nightLooking at your picture though it's another thumbs up for Powermaster

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 10, 2020, 03:25:14 am
content: I haven't dealt with them for decades but you could try Access Communications, they were always big on Powermaster so it might be worth a call to confirm their prices and availability.Access Communications.http://www.accesscomms.com.au/categories/power-supplies-dc-plugs-sockets/wall-mount-smpsu/12-volt-dc.html

author: m12lrpv
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2020, 03:32:14 am
content: I've sent them a request for their online store access. Seems they have to approve it. We'll see how it goes.

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2020, 05:42:23 am
content: WES/Wagner. Physical store in Sydney (Summer Hill), ships too.https://www.wagneronline.com.au/12v-1a/ps/The "trade" prices (viahttps://www.wes.com.au/) are about 1/3 lower for these exact items. Getting a trade account requires an ABN, so it depends on whether or not you are doing this for an already defined business or not.

author: m12lrpv
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2020, 11:22:50 am
content: Thanks for that.I see they've also got a 2A one with interchangeable plugs. That might be handy to have in the future.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2020, 01:54:19 pm
content: Sometimes adapters with 2.5mm ID / 5.5 mm OD are cheaper. If it's possible to switch to that, you should consider it.- edit: the below have 2.1 ID / 5.5 OD -TME.EU imports some brands that are not present at bigger distributors, and you can find 12v adapters for as low as 5$ each if you buy 25 pcs or more.ex. 5.3$ / 25pcs 12v 1A :https://www.tme.eu/ro/details/cld-1212-int-eb/alimentatoare-tip-desktop/cellevia-power/Has fixed power cable, but i guess you could cut the AC plug and install an Australian plug that probably costs 1-2$ locally.With removable cable, so you can replace the cable25+ $ 5.88 , 100+ $ 5.49 12v 2A :https://www.tme.eu/ro/details/cld-2412-t2-e/alimentatoare-tip-desktop/cellevia-power/25+ $ 6.30 , 100+ $ 5.86 12v 3A :https://www.tme.eu/ro/details/cld-3612-t2-e/alimentatoare-tip-desktop/cellevia-power/wallwarts aren't much cheaper, around 5$ each (with EU plug, which should be easy to adapt to Australia):https://www.tme.eu/ro/details/zsi12_1-p/alimentatoare-cu-stecar-integrat/espe/https://www.tme.eu/ro/details/ac_dc-cl12_1/alimentatoare-cu-stecar-integrat/cellevia-power/

author: m12lrpv
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2020, 09:14:22 pm
content: If it helps... the power supplies are not for personal use and are intended to be sent out with the project units to purchasers. The intent is to send them something that they feel meets their quality standards relative to what they're paying and is reliable enough that I can sleep knowing that's not a failure point. It's not audio if anyone is thinking thatHacked mains plugs are going to get me in troubleand adaptors are just annoying.So the right plug type is important straight up and adaptor width is too. Basically everything I personally find annoying i'm trying to eliminate for my customers.I'm still waiting to get prices for the powermaster ones but regardless the wagner ones are probably going to be my go to.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2020, 01:26:50 am
content: I understand.I feel you read the first paragraphs and assumed everything I linked to is the same, requiring hacking.Please go through the links again, check those that have the AC cable separate. The AC input connector is standard IEC, so you can buy the AC cables separately for every country (ex. UK , Type F Schuko for most Europe, US etc)Those 2A ones will give you lots of headroom and they're cheap at 5.5$ +vatI'll link to it again, but the Australia / English version of the page :2A :https://www.tme.com/au/en/details/cld-2412-t2-e/desktop-power-supplies/cellevia-power/3A :https://www.tme.com/au/en/details/cld-3612-t2-e/desktop-power-supplies/cellevia-power/3.5A :https://www.tme.com/au/en/details/cld-4012-t2-e/desktop-power-supplies/cellevia-power/1A:https://www.tme.com/au/en/details/sys1001-1212-t2/desktop-power-supplies/sunny/If you can bundle 9v power supplies, there's also lots of options there, same for 18-19v (it's low enough you can use 25v rated electrolytic capacitors and classic linear or switching regulators in your projects and below the 24v threshold where you may get into some regulations in some countries)Here's example of power cables ( with the standard C7 "mickey mouse" connector on the adapters) :long tme.eu link (only cables with C7 on one end, in stoc, sorted by price for quantity)they stock the Australia/ NZ version of the power cable and other countries:AU/NZhttps://www.tme.com/au/en/details/kab-aus-t2-1.8-bk/universal-and-computer-power-cords/espe/AU/NZ with earthing (make sure the adapter has earth pin otherwise won't work ) :https://www.tme.com/au/en/details/kab-aus-m3-1.8-bk/universal-and-computer-power-cords/espe/UKhttps://www.tme.com/au/en/details/kab-uk-t2-1.8-bk/universal-and-computer-power-cords/espe/and so on... you get EU cable by default with the adapters.PS. This version with removable cable may be better for people as the power supply would not block a socket or a neighboring socket (if it's too wide) and you can also package it better in a box (no prongs making the adapter bigger in one dimension, and the power cable can be put besides the psu)Also a 2-3A psu will probably be less efficient at low loads like 0.5A but also will heat less, so you won't risk having people give you negative reviews after 1-2 years because the 1a power supplies overheat and cook the capacitors inside (or complain that the voltage ripple is too high at near 1A)

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2020, 09:10:23 am
content: If it's only small quantities you're selling it's almost always easier to buy something from an Australian supplier that's already got the safety approvals.As an importer you'd need to sell quite a few cheap power supplies to cover the sunken costs (including time) of the process.I've also ordered them through Digikey and element14 in the past and they've had the required Regulatory Compliance Mark. Weren't cheaper than the Wagner ones suggested below, but can be handy when you're just buying a couple and already have a Digikey order going in.

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2020, 09:36:41 am
content: If you can scratch together a wholesale account (not a trade card) - Altronics do a wide range of plug packs.I expect they’re China OEM, but quite reasonable quality.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2020, 10:11:54 am
content: I'd give Jaycar, Altronics, and Radio Parts a go for 10+ trade deals or specials, or clearout/deleted stockGood luck

author: m12lrpv
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2020, 11:10:48 pm
content: Thanks everyone.Jaycar was ruled out immediately because they're typically overpriced and have the interchangeable tips which just creates a headache. Sure we put in reverse polarity protection but it's not a failure point I want.Altronics has some reasonable options at a reasonable price. I'll keep them in mind when the time comes.