AC vs. DC power supply question (non hi-fi related)

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nspindel
nspindel Posts: 5,343
edited March 2008 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
My son's got this nightlight that went dead, and he loves the thing. I'm trying to get it working again. At first I naturally thought it was just the bulb, so I changed it - no help.

Inside is the light, and a 4-colored circular filter attached to a small motor. The motor turns the different colors spin on top of the light, so the light being emitted is changing colors.

I threw the power supply across my meter, that's the culprit. No power. It's just a transformer that plugs into the wall and has 18ga coming off of it. I looked at the rating on the power supply and bought what I thought should be a compatible power supply.

However, I just noticed that the original power supply says that the output is 12VAC. I've never heard of one of these little things putting out AC, I thought these things are DC?

I just tested the new power supply, and I'm getting strange results - the light comes on, but the motor doesn't spin. Would this be symptomatic of the need for AC power?

I'm just wondering if maybe the cheap Chinese power supply is mislabeled somehow, and maybe it's just that the motor is no good? Otherwise, I'm stumped, I can't even seem to find a 12VAC supply online...

Thanks in advance...
Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
Post edited by nspindel on
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,872
    edited March 2008
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    Most little wal wart power supplies have just a transformer therefore are AC.The transformer just lowers the 120volt to a usable level.To function correctly you have to use the same type and voltage of supply that originally came with it.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 35,507
    edited March 2008
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    Some are AC, some are DC. Most have the spec right on the wall wart.
    Jameco Electronics is an excellent source of replacement wall warts.
    www.jameco.com
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited March 2008
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    Perfect, they've got it! Thanks guys!
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • DeftonesPsnger
    DeftonesPsnger Posts: 2
    edited March 2008
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    most effort put into a night light EVER! good luck!
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited March 2008
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    the things we do to keep our kids happy....
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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