Power supplies and connectors

Between the recent purchases of new toys without power supplies, and the old toys I am trying to revive, I am really struggling mixing and matching power supplies and their barrel connectors. I am tired of cutting off the connector from one power supply, in order to be able to use another power supply which offers the right voltage/amperage, but the wrong connector.

Since there are so many sizes, I was wondering why no one sells a batch of different connectors with screw terminals at the end, so it's easy to mix and match (and reuse old power supplies). Is there such thing?

Im not sure where to purchase such a beast but here is a guide to help in figuring out the different connectors.

http://www.globtek.com/html/outputPlugCord.htm

Radio (hate to say it) Shack has some which I have used but they are mostly or all solder connections.

Lagerhead said:

Radio (hate to say it) Shack has some which I have used but they are mostly or all solder connections.

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Radio Shack and Frys get the job done for me. I do lots of 'repurposing' of power supplies. I wish the darn quatech thing was 12v since I have a 12V supply with 18 outputs in my rack...

Went to Radio Shack yesterday looking for a 24vdc 1A plugin supply and I was let down...

Otherwise they always seem to have a combination that works. You can just buy the barrel ends located in the slide out bins for some types or you can buy the ones on the "key chain" and solder the power supply wires to the proper pins and heat shrink the connections.

If you go to Radio Shack I am sure someone will be overly eager to help you not find what you are looking for

edit: don't forget about http://www.digikey.com. You can download their catalog and check out around page 460 (ish) and your head will explode with the may barrel types that are available

Start using quick-connect splices each new time, or a 2-channel barrier strip.

Neurorad said:

Start using quick-connect splices each new time, or a 2-channel barrier strip.

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WOW! Where do you get these giant terminals? This one must have a 100A rating.

Digikey really does carry everything. :huh:

I always have to buy a new tool though, for every project. Honey, hand me the new screwdriver.

I am also doing similiar or just buying more different barrel connectors and power supplies. I am trying to keep my media panel power source to maybe three breakers in the fuse panel and trying to keep all of the small transformers inside of the panel (starting to look a bit cluttered though).

In my panel I use a Leviton 12V power distribution module. It came with multiple barrel connectors. I am only using it though for 3 connections. Its a bit primitive but does the job.
This one has two but really doesn't do enough...
http://www.onqlegrand.com/products/PW7639

Ideally though a multivolt switched DC style distribution block would suit my needs in that I have about 8 different voltage (3.3, 5, 6, 7, 9) small transformers inside of my media panel. IE I have three POE injectors which really all use the same voltage and optimally would work better from one source. I haven't seen a "miniature" POE switch but most likely these exists.

Ideally this box would have a 12/24V source, little jumpers or dips to control say 8 ports of power....you think with these days of mini everything some company would be making something like this. I just purchased a mini-itx automotive style 160W 12V power supply thats only maybe 2" X 8". Its rail has only 12/5 volts coming from it.

Something like this maybe with autonomous multiple outs would be nice...kind of running off on a tangent here....so I will quit for now...

http://www.minute-man.com/acatalog/Multi_V...wer_Supply.html

I guess it would be pricey...but isnt there a box out there that is like 10 chanels or something... with a settable DC voltage from 0-12 or -24 for that matters and say max 2A rating per channel or something like that? If that came with screw terminals then we'd be in good shape to clean up the brick mess in our panels.

Looking around the house it seems many devices are starting to go the 12v route. You guys seeing this too? I wish devices would just have the barrel connector and terminal on their back. But i guess to idiot proof it they cannot do the terminal or would have to put them under a cover or something.

Now if they made little barrel plugs with terminals on them..that would be nice.

MavRic said:

Now if they made little barrel plugs with terminals on them..that would be nice.

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Like this?