925b1aa1   
   From: jasen@xnet.co.nz   
      
   On 2010-01-09, TedVerizon  wrote:   
      
   > power block must be sufficient. I can figure out the correct polarity.   
      
   the pin part of the lighter plug is positive   
      
   > What I AM confused about is why I plug a 12VDC power brick in and   
   > measure it with my tester to find they read about 15 or 16 VDC with no   
   > load. I know cars supply about 12V when off and perhaps 13-14V when   
   > running.  I do NOT want to damage anything and am concerned that 16V   
   > is too high unless this is normal and it will be less when it is   
   > actually powering something.   
      
   this is the difference between a regulated and an unregulated supply.   
   a regulated supply will not produce a voltage significantly higher   
   than its rating. unregulated supplies may produce 50% more when not   
   being used to full capacity.   
      
   > Any comments or things to watch out for would be appreciated. I was   
   > thinking of charging my GPS for which I do not have a house charger   
   > for and things like that.   
      
   start with a regulated 12V 2A wall wart (last time I looked that was   
   the sweet spot on the price-cost curve, and that should be enough to   
   power pocket-sized appliances like phone and GPS chargers) and wire   
   it to a lighter socket.   
      
      
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