How do you store your AC Adapter?

[Gekofix]

For everyday use I carry a backpack that stores the everyday needs, but when I am going out of town for some time and need additional power I have to carry the ac adapters. How do you store these in you pack? About 6 of em..

I am so tired of them tangling etch other…arhhh

Somebody got any ideas? I can't be the only one with this problem?

 

[Reptilezs]

a velcro tie wrap can be used to bundle the wire together.

 

[Lunal_Tic]

Ever thought of a variable voltage switching supply and then dumping the other five? I picked up one that has input of 100-240VAC and output of 3/4.5/6/9/12VDC at 1A plus about 6-8 tips. I picked it up in Japan but I figure they've got something similar in the US.

 

[newo]

Try Radio Shack. Here's a few they have - Rat Shack Adapters

 

[Deanster]

Yep - it's ugly. I used to check most of 'em in my luggage, but then that bag got lost by the airlines for three days. No cell phone power, no laptop power, etc. Embarrassing, and expensive, as I had to go out and buy new adapters for the phone and laptop... total of $100.

Now I just carry them in my carry-on computer bag... just part of the load. 6 is a little out of control, though - I carry phone and laptop, camera, PDA and iPod - Camera will usually go a normal week on a charge, so rarely need that. PDA the same. iPod charges from the laptop, and if I get the right adapter, the phone will too. I'd love to get down to just my laptop adapter, and have nearly everything else charge from that via USB or FireWire charging.

 

[Cmoore]

Perhaps a universal adapter such as one below:

http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=PAPWR300U

 

[Lynx_Arc]

I have a collection of adapters. When something dies I keep the adapter and throw the device away because sometimes I buy things that run off of batteries with no adapter or plugin for one and decide to run it off of AC. Part of the problem I see with high output adapters is if you don't need 1+ amps sometimes a 300ma adapter is a lot smaller and lighter and carrying 2-3 of the heavy ones can by excersize for sure. I think a multichannel adapter would be a great idea, that is one adapter that can power 2-3 items simultaneously with differing voltages etc. It would save having seperate adapters. I have learned to keep twist ties from every cable/device that I buy and put them in a parts drawer sorted by size so I can use them to tie off cables later. I have found velcro and plastic ties more trouble than a standard twist tie. I use white ones on black cables and black one on whites so I can see them easier.
I find universal adapters tend to almost need a carrying case for their collection of ends as they seem to fall everywhere and even get lost if you dont put them in a ziploc bag. I also got a white paint pen and marked the voltage of each adapter on the side facing the wall so when I need one I do not have to read to see what voltage it is as I have about a dozen of them in a box. I also pick them up at sales if I find ones that are either common or hard to come by voltages. I have bought 4-5 of them for $1 each and found myself 4 month later using 2 of them.

For most applications a 500ma will do, I even picked up a 12vdc 1amp car lighter AC plugin adapter for $3 awhile back and use it to test 12v stuff without having to go out to the car or pull out a power supply. I have 3 universal adapters, one of which is an auto adapter. I reserve these for times I don't have the correct adapter in stock but as soon as I find a dirt cheap adapter I replace these with it and put them back in stock.

 

[Gekofix]

I have a multi adapter that can reverse polarisation and adjust the voltage from 3-12v.

If somebody can explain this. The multi adapter is rated up to 1amp.

I understand that using it to power devices that draw a certain lets say 500mAh is ok.
However, in the case I use it to charge one of my smaller Thors that comes with a 350mAh ac charger, Since there is no regulation will not the multi adapter deliver the full 1A? How will this affect the small battery?

In addition, if I use it to charge my cell phone that has a rated charger of 5v 500mAh what would happen?

Thank you all for taking the time to answer!

 

[BF Hammer]

I would just drop each adapter inside it's own zip-lock plastic bag. Nothing will tangle with the cord then.

 

[Lunal_Tic]

for the multi voltage power adapters a small camera case works well. Something like the Lowe brand for digital cameras etc.

-LT

 

[Lynx_Arc]

If you are using the adapter to just power DC components as long as the amperage is at least equal to what is needed it should be ok as the device will usually draw what it needs currentwise.
For connecting to rechargable devices you may find it overcharging things because most AC adapters are not very precisely regulated, they depend on the device to determine the voltage and rechargeable batteries usually draw more current the higher the voltage floats with a 1 amp adapter you may find it floating high enough it the batteries try to charge at the full 1amp or more. My advice is to hook up an ammeter inline if you want to try using it to monitor the current draw.

 

[Wingerr]

[ QUOTE ]
BF Hammer said:
I would just drop each adapter inside its own zip-lock plastic bag. Nothing will tangle with the cord then.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just what I was about to suggest- suitably sized baggies work very well.

One thing about the use of universal adapters- they could be a problem if you have curious kids running about... 4.5V devices don't take kindly to a little-fingered switch to 9V, for example. BTDT.

I put little tags on the cords labeling each adapter also, because I have way many to keep track of easily, when it gets separated from the device. Makes it easy to sort out what goes where, right through the ziplock baggie.
Also handy if you have to contend with a rat's nest of wiring of already connected adapters, to find the one you need.

 

[nerdgineer]

I have the ones I use the most taped to a power strip, with a little velco wrap around their individual cords to keep them from tangling. The rest just lie around, all tangled up...