adapting a laptop power adapter

[Nicholas_45]

Hi, my external hard drive box power adapter has died at a crucial moment. The power adapter is rated at 12V 1.5A output. I have a spare 12V 5A power adapter and want to know if I can simply swap the output connector on the 1.5A dead power adapter for the 5A output connector.

 

[jarotech]

Hi, yes you can, but be careful you must follow the polarity of the adapter for the box.

 

[Nicholas_45]

ok, thank you for this. I thought it was the 12V is the important value here. I think I learned that more power is ok. I have other electronics questions, thank you very much.
I can follow the polarity of the wires to the pcb board ok.
What about the thickness of the wires. The wires on the connector I need to plug into the hard drive enclosure are maybe 1/3 to 1/2 as round, but I am sure there is less copper wire in there.

 

[jarotech]

You said you have the same voltage on both adapters, so I did not talk about the voltage. The laptop adapter has 5A, the wires will be bigger than the other adapter with 1.5A. The hard disk circuit will use the current required for its operation.

 

[Nicholas_45]

More amperes thicker wires, I think you are saying there. So logically I should use the thicker wires with the connector. I have solder these type of connectors before so will swap the connector to the thicker wired 5A power adapter. Thank you.