Power Adaptor: Am I A 'tard?

[RichKS]

OK, I bought a power adaptor just before Christmas. It's a Uniross variable one, 3v up to 7.5. They had 2 on the shelf, one was 1000mA and the other was 2500mA. Since Everyone had been going on about 2500mA batteries (and I'd just bought some in the same shop) I bought the 2500mA adaptor. Last night I took the thing out of it's Evil Space Plastic package bubble and found the end which fit the GP2X (the smallest one).

Then I looked at the back of the GP2X to see if I need tip positive or negative and see that it says to use a 1000mA adaptor.

Now, I really don't know that much about amps and stuff. Will a 2500 mA adaptor be ok in it, or will it explode and make me die if I plug it in?

 

[barnesy]

People are talking about mAh (milli-ampere hours) when they talk about batteries, not mA (milli-amperes). The one that matters in this case is the second one. That's the amount of current it supplies, while mAh relates to the amount of time the batteries can keep supplying a certain level of power.

I may not have got the wording exactly right there, but the important thing is that although those different ratings may sound similar, they are very different! I wouldn't take that power supply anywhere near the GP2x.

 

[maffoo]

I'm sure that 2500mA is the maximum current the adapter can supply, the GP2X should only draw what it needs.

 

[dreamwarbird]

Also, ive heard that if you give the GP2X too much juice it won't accept batteries anymore, and will want to rely on the power adapter.

Expensive mistake!!

 

[bazuka]

Dreamwarbird: I think that only happens if it's over voltage, not over current.

I'd have gone with the 1000mA one, but I can see where the mistake could be made. If it still runs on batteries, you should be ok. I don't know enough about the power config of the GP2X and it could well kill it.

 

[Fiendicus_Prime]

2500mA is the maximum current that the unit can supply, the GP2X will take what it needs.

Edit : ignore the following paragraph. I remembered the numbers wrong - it was using 1100mA at 2.5V (i.e. battery simulation). At 3V it was 800mA. 1A power supply should be enough then, any more is fine but not really needed.

[Since someone on these boards recorded the GP2X using 1150mA at 3V (with TV out on), it is probably a good idea to get a PSU capable of a bit more than 1000mA.]

Dreamwarbird - I can't imagine what ludicrousness would make the unit not accept batteries after having a high power PSU - although I am sure that if anyone could manage it it would be GPH!

 

[cbox]

I use a 800 mA PSU and it works fine.

 

[aapje89]

I use a 800 mA PSU and it works fine.

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yup, that should be enough according to squidges measurements.

 

[Hanz™]

I use a 800 mA PSU and it works fine.

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yup, that should be enough according to squidges measurements.

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Unless you turn TV-out on?

Edit: missed out the word "on".

 

[nickspoon]

I use a 800 mA PSU and it works fine.

yup, that should be enough according to squidges measurements.

Unless you turn TV-out?

I thought that wasn't turned off yet.
Anyway, a high amperage wouldn't fry a GP2X. A high voltage would.

 

[Vic20-Ian 2]

The GP2X draws quite a bit of current.

The rating of 1000milliamps or 1 Amp suggested for a power supply means you need a power supply capable of delivering 3volts at 1000milliamps.

Some power supplies labelled at 800ma may deliver enough. You might find if you test it that the Voltage is 3.3 volts not 3 volts and that the current is slightly higher than the stated limit of 800ma. My 1000ma Power supply does not work.

To be sure to get a power supply that works you need two things.

Good Quality voltage regulation and a current rating of at least 1000ma, the higher the better.

This adaptor works fine

Try this one from Argos at £7.99 it works fine.

NOTE

DO NOT turn up the voltage from 3 to 4.5 volts if you find your supply does not work. You will probably blow the voltage regulator inside the GP2X.

 

[remowilliams]

I got one of these adapters for $9.99 and it seems to work fine.

And it still works on batteries

 

[reallynotnick]

RichKS your adapter is totally fine as long as you just set it at 3v and Negative polarity. You can not have to many amps, I have a 2000mA adapter and works just fine.

 

[thejustone]

To be on the safe side I'm going to wait for the official adaptor. There will be one won't there? :unsure: