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Question about adapters
Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 11:12 pm
by Seten
Hey, so I have a Casio WK-1600 keyboard. The adapter says:
Input: AC120V 60Hz 27W
Output: 12V DC1500mA
Little diagram that I'm 99% sure means center negative.
For the past I don't know how long (no more than 2 or 3 weeks for sure, actual time using it probably a total of no more than 5 hours, let's just say 10 hours to be safe) I have been using the wrong adapter. I was using a Vestax 4 track tape recorder adapter.
Input: 120V AC 60 Hz 16W
Output: 15V DC 600 mA
Same diagram as above.
The keyboard kept cutting out, but I assumed it was just because people were stepping on the plug. Now I realize it was because the keyboard was not getting the right power.
Could this have caused any damage to either the Vestax adapter or, more importantly, the keyboard?
Re: Question about adapters
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 3:14 am
by KaosCill8r
Plug the right one in and see if the problem still happens. I don't think 3 extra volts would cause too much damage

Repost this in the diy effects forum. The electronics guys that post in there would probably be able to tell you more as to whether you have done any real damage.
Re: Question about adapters
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 8:14 am
by rustywire
It likely kept cutting out due to the insufficient current, not the voltage difference.
As far as damage goes...it depends. If there were a charge pump in the KB, the 15v psu would have probably shorted the KB out, immediately. In all likelihood there should be a voltage regulator somewhere in the KB to deal with overages...I suspect both adaptor & KB are fine...but keep an eye on the adaptor.
Running any PSU too hard accelerates the decay in its output power & decreases its life...short of burning them out. In the future it would be wise to label them, specific to equipment.
Re: Question about adapters
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 9:35 am
by digi2t
Yup, what rusty said. The 15v adapter at 16w was almost half the current than what the 12v could supply. The keyboard's internal regulator could handle the extra 3v, but I'm pretty sure that the extra current demand was heating up the adapter, and it was the adapter cutting out, not the keyboard. If you're lucky, there's a thermistor inside the 15v power supply that was cutting it out as protection when it heated up. Use it in it's normal task, and see if it performs as it should. If so, it'll be fine.
Sidebar; I have a lot of different adapters happening in my set up. I use my Brother P-Touch to make 3/4" white labels, with bold black lettering, stating which pedal that adapter belongs to. That way, I don't have to worry about reading voltages, wattage, etc. to be sure I have the right one going to the right place.
Re: Question about adapters
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 12:15 pm
by rustywire
Those Brother label makers are pro, I'm tempted to get one...or unearth what I already have MIA and floating around somewhere...a more primitive form of this punch-type label maker
I've been using various tape with industrial Sharpie markers
Miss the retro charm of those plastic strip labels

Re: Question about adapters
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 6:33 pm
by Seten
So should I be careful about using the vestax adapter with the vestax 4 track in case the adapter got messed up? I'm borrowing them from a friend so I really don't wanna fuck them up.
Re: Question about adapters
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 6:51 pm
by waltdogg
If they're both center pin negative you're not going to blow anything up. Always be wary about feeding devices too much power though. Creates noise or reduces output/cuts out.
Re: Question about adapters
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 6:56 pm
by Seten
Alright, thanks