19v @ 2.4 amps is only slightly more than an MRC power pack. It could certainly power a bunch of lights in a parrallel/series setup. Usea switched power bar(s) to power your wall warts, (they also have additional built-in circuit protection)..
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
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DOn't scare the poor guy. 2.4 amps isn't dangerous. We're talking less than 50 watts here, enough to get things a bit warm if shorted out, but if this is like most such supplies, it will quickly shut down (for good) if shorted.
How much power you need depends on what you're going to run. If your total laod will require 1 amp, you need at LEAST a 1 amp supply to power it. Larger won't make things 'blow up', the load will only draw what it needs. If you're worried, go to Radio Shack 9I think they still have them) and get some fuse holders and fuses. Install these on a board, and connect one side of all the fuse holders together, and to one side of your power supply. Hook each group of lights or whatever to one of the fuse holders, the next group to the secodn fuse holder, etc. The other side of the loads all connect together and to the other side of the power supply. Now each individual load will only be able to draw whatever current fuse you put in (should be less than the power supply rating) or it will blow the fuse, The fuse might blow at half an amp, so if you go over it on that one leg, the fuse will blow but the power supply will neve rhave seen more than the half amp, well below it's rating. And half an amp at 19 volts is less than 10 watts, so if something shorts out it won't even get warm.
Personally I think this is overkill for a small power supply like that. Now if I was hooking up an old computer power supply with 15-20 amps on the 12 volts, I'd definitely break it down into multiple circuits each with its own fuse.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
MisterBeasley 2.4 amps, by the way, is serious stuff, so be careful with it.
2.4 amps, by the way, is serious stuff, so be careful with it.
Frankly, I would just as well throw away something that might get me in trouble and use something that is more on the idiot-proof side of the line.
So what amps would be in that idiot-proof range?
ducky123When I cut off the female end of a pin connecter, there is stranded wire surrounding an isulated core of stranded wire.
That's odd. It sounds like coaxial cable, or "coax." Generally, coax is used for radio frequency transmissions, or RF. That's like TV or FM radio, not power. But, maybe they were paranoid and used it for their power cords as well.
I would check it with a meter. AC or DC, though, it should work for lighting, although at 19 volts it's a bit higher than you want for most applications. 2.4 amps, by the way, is serious stuff, so be careful with it.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Is it marked 19V AC or DC? If DC, then yes, one is + and one is -. One lead might have a raised ridge on it, or a white tracer, that one is probably +. If it's an AC supply, there is no polarity. You can use it for just about anything, although 19V is high for most model RR applications. I wouldn;t use it to pwoer switch machines, it's too high a voltage for Tortoises and solenoid machines will probably draw too much - most power supplies like that have an internal safety fuse that's not replaceable, so if you short the output or overload it, it probably will become another paperweight. A pair of 12V bulbs in series would probably glow nicely from 19 volts to light a structure without shining through the walls themselves - and last a long time. Put a pair of bulbs in series, and then connect other pairs in parallel with the first pair. You can also drive LEDs with it, if it's a DC supply. The required resistor for each LED will be higher than typically used with lower voltage supplie,s but there's no reason it wouldn't work.
mfm37 It should say whether it's 19V AC or DC.
It should say whether it's 19V AC or DC.
The ouptut specs are listed twice, but no mention of AC or DC. So I should be able to use if for lights at least???
It should say whether it's 19V AC or DC. That may matter depending on the accessory. If its DC, one will be positive and the other negative. You can find out which by using a DC voltmeter. My guess would be the center is positive and the outer is negative.
As far as accessory power, it should be fine up to its current rating. If one is not enough, Just use another one to power more.
Martin Myers
I've got a box full of adapters for equipment long gone. Can I use them (SAFELY) for accessories?
For example, one is marked AC Adapter, 100-240V input. Output is 19V 2.40A.
Also marked "For use with information technology equipment.
When I cut off the female end of a pin connecter, there is stranded wire surrounding an isulated core of stranded wire. So I assume that one set of wires is positive and the other negative.
So can I use this for lights, switch machines, etc?