Driveway alarms

[DaveOmak]

HELP WITH ELECTRICAL!!!!

I have had this drive alarm for 4 years now.
I want to hook up a 110v transformer to replace the batteries.

The alarm unit takes 3ea AA Batteries. On the alarm there is a plug-in for external power supply. The plug-in says (DC input 4.5v).

I have a xformer that says (input 120vAC 60Hz 0.1A) (output 5.9VDC 350mA).

If I hook up the 5.9V ,from the xfer, to the (4.5V input) to the alarm unit, is the voltage(5.9V) "too much" for the alarm unit?

If you need more info to make an informed descision, let me know. For now, you know as much, if not more, than I do.

Dave

 

[MikeInEburg]

There is usually some "wiggle room" in those voltages. Of course, your 5.9 may really measure 6.5. I'd hook it up if it were mine. If it were someone else's, I wouldn't. You also need to be sure polarity is correct - often there's a pictorial that indicates pos + neg of both the power supply and the device.
Mike

 

[heehaw]

5 volt power supplies should be available at places like radio shack or other electronic supply houses: that said, i am the same. if it were mine, i would hook up what you have.
heehaw

 

[DaveOmak]

Thanks for the replies.

We'll, now there is 3 votes FOR hooking it up.
I just needed some "moral" support.

I'll report back on the success of our collaboration, in the event someone else can use this info.

Appreciate the responses. Have a great morning. Dave

 

[MikeInEburg]

Thanks for the replies.

We'll, now there is 3 votes FOR hooking it up.

Just to be very clear. I'd hook it up if it were mine. I wouldn't hook it up if it weren't mine. This one isn't mine, so I wouldn't hook it up. I like wiggle room...
Mike

 

[DaveOmak]

I was going to hook it up anyway.
If you guys would hook it up if it was yours, that confirms what I was going to do anyway.
If it blows, just another valuable learning experience.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. That will make 3 of us that were wrong.
Nothing like being in the majority. I like being in the majority on some things.
It will be interesting if 3 well rounded knowledgable forum members could ALL be wrong. I doubt it but time will tell.

 

[sodamo]

Might want to check the output with a meter first.

 

[DaveOmak]

UPDATE!!

The voltage from the xfmrs needs to be "less than" what is recommended. Alarms run continually!
So much for that experiment.
I guess the nominal voltages supplied from the batteries is expected to be less after time. The voltage doesn't drop on a xfrm. Messes up the electronics in the alarms.
Thanks to all who participated here. Dave

 

[heehaw]

someone go ahead an measure the output voltage of some of the little power supplies...without being plugged in, they will generally be a lot more than what they say they are....the last one i measured was a 12v one, it was close to 20volts, unhooked..which is no load...the load brings it back to closer to normal...plus a 12 volt power supply would take forever to charge a 12 volt battery...gotta have a difference in voltage to get the current to flow..
i am really surprised the 5.9 volt supply didn't work....but then i have been surprised a lot in my life...all of this stuff works by smoke...as long as you keep the smoke in, it will work..let the smoke out an it quits..
heehaw

 

[bironacad]

The wiggle room for an alternating current motor is plus or minus 10% of what the rating plate states before you are out of warranty, electronics have, I would think, a tighter range from base voltage. You wouldn't put a 4V battery in a 3.5 V rated :confused2:Rolex watch would you? Mind you if it was mine and the replacement cost of the alarm was not to great I would probably plug it in, if it was mine, lol.