this post was submitted on 27 Aug 2023
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Hi all, I have a water pump connected to an adapter (pictured) but I am having trouble getting it to run using any of the cords I had on hand; it calls for using DC-only & 12V (between 9-14). I have tried Googling around & browsing Amazon but I'm a bit overwhelmed with options. Can anyone suggest an adapter that'll get this little guy pumping? Please forgive my naivety & TIA.

Also, I hope that it's kosher I ask here. If it's not, please let me know if there's a better place. Thanks again.

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[–] czardestructo 5 points 1 year ago

What did you hook up? You mentioned using cords? But first off, what you pictured, you need to make sure it's wired correctly. There is no standard for barrel jacks. The center pin can be positive or negative and the jacket and be positive or negative. If you're using a generic 5.5x2.1mm female barrel jack most generic 12v power supplies overwhelmingly do center pin positive and jacket negative. Once you get polarity correct check the amperage rating of the supply and the motor. Motors usually require huge in rush current to start and can easily trigger a short circuit protection on the supply output

[–] Shortbus 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Since the pump doesn't seem to mention it does the pump packaging/paperwork mention how many amps it draws?

Edit I found it. Load current < 350mA

I would think damn near any 12v DC "wall wart" would do it, but the adapter you have may not be the right size for what you have laying around.

Could grab something like THIS that comes with its own adapter.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Thanks- I got the thing running through a breadboard power adapter of all things, to confirm the pump was still living, so I will try what you linked! I am beginning to wonder if I wired my last adapters’ poles. So, this might have been user error on my part, doh!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

no worries, something like this would be fine

https://www.amazon.com/JOVNO-100-240V-Converter-Transformer-5-5x2-5mm/dp/B0875WMYCX

a 12v 1A power supply is sufficiently basic of a component that i wouldn't worry too much about like getting a higher-quality one or whatever they'll all probably work fine

[–] czardestructo 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I personally wouldn't put any unbranded and uncertified AC to DC converter in my home. Without proper regulatory testing and certification it's a fire hazard.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

you know, I saw the CE mark on the label, but oddly enough on closer inspection it appears to be like a knockoff? i hadn't heard of this before but apparently when they're close together like that it actually stands for China Export which (unlike the real CE) has no safety standards associated

this is actually pretty egregious and I'm not sure how they're getting away with it lol but anyways I appreciate the call out, learned something today

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Afaik that's a myth. There is no testing or certification associated with the CE logo, it's just a self-declaration of the manufacturer that certain standards are met. You can just buy rolls of these stickers, or print them yourselves. That's what manufacturers do, legit ones and shitty ones.

[–] czardestructo 1 points 1 year ago

Legit companies won't just print it without self testing. At any point the EU can demand test data and if you don't have it they can block your company from shipping there. It also opens the company up to lawsuits. Big companies with a brand to protect won't mess around with this, it's cheaper to design and test.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Hopping in here to thank y’all for your insight. It’s been an educational morning!