Palomar VLF Converter

[myteaquinn]

I recently received a Palomar VLF Converter but it did not come with the power supply. I was wondering if this one would be an acceptable power supply.

 http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamps/4751.html

[skeezix]

Power supply?

I've had one of those for a while and it has a connection for 9V battery. Doesn't seem to eat too many batteries. (On the other hand, I have an SDR that I use for any LW listening these days).

[myteaquinn]

The early units did use a 9 volt battery but the later ones used a power supply rated at +12 VDC to +15 VDC, and (my concern) "less than 50ma". The power supply from Universal says that it is 2.89 amps. Will that be an issue?

[ChrisSmolinski]

The early units did use a 9 volt battery but the later ones used a power supply rated at +12 VDC to +15 VDC, and (my concern) "less than 50ma". The power supply from Universal says that it is 2.89 amps. Will that be an issue?

The "less than 50ma" means the unit draws under 50 mA, so any supply rated 50 mA or higher will work. You only need to exactly match voltage ratings. An electronic device will draw only whatever current it requires.

[myteaquinn]

Okay thanks Chris, I'll be ordering the power supply from Universal shortly.

[ve6jy]

That supply has way more capability than you need but even worse, it is a switcher and not something I'd want to use for this application. Some switchers are VERY electrically noisy.  Get an older linear wall wart, it will work fine and you likely have one tucked away in a junk drawer from some old device.. or get one from a second hand store for almost nothing.  Most newer ones are switchers - very light weight compared to the older linear ones that have a transformer.

Don

[myteaquinn]

Thanks for all of the advice, I'll rummage around the pile of power supplies I have and see if anything works. Again thanks.