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Posted by Gene E. Bloch on 09/30/13 11:45
On 4/18/2006, MaryL posted this:
> "Gene E. Bloch" <spamfree@nobody.invalid> wrote in message
> news:mn.941c7d644df59d0b.1980@nobody.invalid...
>> On 4/18/2006, MaryL posted this:
>>> I have an Initial IDM-1731 DVD player that I bought on eBay (new in box,
>>> obviously never opened). The screen is small (7", which I knew when I
>>> ordered it), but the quality of the picture is very good. The unit will
>>> receive very light usage -- it was purchased to use primarily when I
>>> travel in summers. However, it has an *extremely short* power cord. I
>>> don't think I have ever been in a motel room where I could comfortably
>>> view this unit with that cord. I know this is a strange question, but I
>>> know virtually nothing about electricity or the technology used in DVDs.
>>> So: What type of extension cord can I safely use with a unit like this
>>> and not take risks of damaging it? Do I need a specific type, or would it
>>> be acceptable to just use the very lightest-weight cord (for portability)?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> MaryL
>>
>> Don't buy a Monster Cable extension cord :-)
>>
>> If you mean the AC cord that goes directly into the wall, you can probably
>> go to Radio Shack or some such store and just buy a replacement that is
>> longer. Take the brick and its cord with you so you can verify that the
>> brick end of the new cord will fit. Note that I am assuming that the AC
>> cord is detachable from the brick, as is usual.
>>
>> If you don't want to do that, then just buy any extension cord that the
>> plug will fit into. My older Initial player uses a two-prong plug; if
>> yours is the same, you won't need a three prong extension cord. That's
>> good, since those are very heavy. Note that two-prong plugs usually have a
>> fat prong and a thin one...
>>
>> Any hardware store extension cord will work.
>>
>> It has nothing at all to do with DVD technology...
>>
>> Gino
>>
>> -- Gene E. Bloch (Gino)
>> letters617blochg3251
>> (replace the numbers by "at" and "dotcom")
>>
>>
>
> Thanks. Yes, the cord is replaceable, and it is a two-prong plug. I had a
> laptop computer that specifically said not to use replacement units, so
> that's why I was asking the question. I can see that the prongs would fit an
> ordinary extension cord, and I wanted to be sure that I could not damage
> something. So, I will use a light-weight extension cord to keep things
> "portable."
>
> MaryL
To clarify - the instructions for the laptop meant the power brick
(standard slang for the AC-DC converter itself), not the cords. Almost
all cords are completely passive (but the DC cord could be a problem).
The problems with substituting power bricks are several. To power your
laptop, the brick needs to supply the right voltage with the right
polarity and have enough current capacity for the needs of the
computer. And of course the plug needs to fit the computer's jack. In
particular, errors in the voltage and polarity of the DC output can fry
your laptop. Not a pretty picture...
The statement I made about the DC cord possibly being a problem relates
to polarity. If you had a brick or a DC extension cord that reversed
the polarity, you would most likely damage the computer (although some
are protected).
That said, I have used third-party power supplies for years with no ill
effects. The main reasons I do that are that some of them combine an AC
converter and a DC converter (i.e., for use in a car or an airplane) in
a package that can be lighter than the manufacturer's AC-only unit. In
other words, convenience. These devices often have an adapter for the
DC plug that signals the power supply itself what voltage to generate -
so this is an exception to the total passiveness of the cords.
Now you know more than you wanted to, I bet :-)
Gino
--
Gene E. Bloch (Gino)
letters617blochg3251
(replace the numbers by "at" and "dotcom")
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