[SOLVED] 12VDC supply good enough for a device rated for 12.8VDC?

[Advaitom]

I've got a shiatsu pillow rated at 12.8VDC and 2.5A, but the power cord is missing. I found some 12VDC, 3A power adapters online. Is 12VDC good enough for a device rated at 12.8VDC?

 

[TerryLaze]

You would have to open it up and check every single component.
In general 12.8 is extremely weird and everything should work fine at 12v but without knowing what's in there you would have to take the risk on it.
The worst case would be that there is a chip in there that doesn't activate at 12V and needs just a little bit more to start up.

 

[hotaru.hino]

It may work, since most electronics aren't designed to work at their exact rating. For instance, I use my Xbox One controller with 2x NiMH rechargeable batteries, which output 2.4V total. However, the label says it wants 5V, and yet the batteries Microsoft expects you to put in it are either 2x alkalines which produce 3.0V total or the lithium ion battery pack at 3.7V.

The only concern here would be to make sure the adapter can provide more than enough power, which it does.

 

[punkncat]

Pretty much anything that runs off of "12VDC" will typically have a range of tolerance typically between around 10-14-ish. I have seen some items work properly down to ~8V before shutting down or faulting (mostly in relation to alarms).

I feel like that small voltage drop alongside a slightly better amp rating should be fine.

 

[bill6560]

I've got a shiatsu pillow rated at 12.8VDC and 2.5A, but the power cord is missing. I found some 12VDC, 3A power adapters online. Is 12VDC good enough for a device rated at 12.8VDC?

The 12.8VDC rating is probably a typical value. Even if it needs 12.8V to operate at it's spec, 12V should work just fine. If a motor is involved, it will just run a bit slower.

 

[Advaitom]

You would have to open it up and check every single component.
In general 12.8 is extremely weird and everything should work fine at 12v but without knowing what's in there you would have to take the risk on it.
The worst case would be that there is a chip in there that doesn't activate at 12V and needs just a little bit more to start up.

Good points. I'll probably take the risk rather than spending time trying to track down a specific 12.8VDC supply.

 

[Advaitom]

It may work, since most electronics aren't designed to work at their exact rating. For instance, I use my Xbox One controller with 2x NiMH rechargeable batteries, which output 2.4V total. However, the label says it wants 5V, and yet the batteries Microsoft expects you to put in it are either 2x alkalines which produce 3.0V total or the lithium ion battery pack at 3.7V.

The only concern here would be to make sure the adapter can provide more than enough power, which it does.

Yeah, my intuition is that most commercial electronics can safely handle some range of input voltages.

 

[Advaitom]

Pretty much anything that runs off of "12VDC" will typically have a range of tolerance typically between around 10-14-ish. I have seen some items work properly down to ~8V before shutting down or faulting (mostly in relation to alarms).

I feel like that small voltage drop alongside a slightly better amp rating should be fine.

Yep, I think you're right. I'm doing some traveling and when I get back home I'll try it and report back.

 

[Advaitom]

The 12.8VDC rating is probably a typical value. Even if it needs 12.8V to operate at it's spec, 12V should work just fine. If a motor is involved, it will just run a bit slower.

Yep, I think you're correct. I'll try it soon as I get back home. Thanks.

 

[Advaitom]

Hello Mods, Could you mark this thread as SOLVED? Thanks. Cheers.