Overwhelming desire for AC/DC Jack !

[Griffin NoName]

I'll start as usual.  I have decided to buy this:



The detail is at http://www.sunrichtech.com.hk/products.asp

The "manual is at http://www.st-lab.com/admin/upfile/Uploadfile/manual/manual(c-310).zip

On page 3 of the manual is the specification of the (optional) power adaptor to use if/when aditional power is needed.

Swicthing power adaptor DV 5V, 2A
Polarity Outside negative voltage (-) and inside positive voltage (+)
3.5mm power jack

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am buying this because it gets the best write up all over the place of all the ExpressCard 3/4 4-port USB 2.0 cards on the market and there aren't many  (<<sigh>> at least outside the US <<endsigh>>).

And the Startech one which is everywhere is slated everywhere.

Needless to say, the ST Lab card is NEVER EVER supplied WITH the power adaptor.

cards and hubs very rarely are sold with.... I have been here before.... I always end up needing it - don't ask why.... we will just get into a very long debate.... they probably haven't invented the thing I will need it for yet.... yeh yeh there may be more and better ExpressCards by then, but let's just not go there, OK?

So, one would assume that the power adaptor-cable-jack would be an easy thing to find.

It isn't.

All I can find (<<sigh>> outside the US (and probably China biut I haven't been there) <<end sigh>>) is a Lindy one which fails to give quite enough info. to work out if it is suitable and this:

http://www.digidave.co.uk/jshop/product.php?xProd=218

Good Old Digital Dave.

BUT.

The jack is the wrong size being 2.1 rather than 3.5mm.

In case one hasn't spotted this Digital Dave shows "what other people bought with it" below - DC plug adaptor 2.1 to 2.5mm.

But I need 2.1 to 3.5mm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok. Questions.

1. Is ST really Startech in disguise ?  that would be amusing

2. Why can't I find a DC plug adaptor 2.1 to 3.5mm.    (<<sigh>> at least outside the US <<endsigh>>)

3. Where do I go from here?

4. Why does this keep happening to me?

5. Does this happen to other people too?

6. No, buying something different is not a good answer, and I have not asked that question.

7. No, not even buying a Universal type. They are biiger, heavier, and much more expensive, and I do not need one.

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

I always end up needing it - don't ask why....

Erm... what do you plan to connect to that adapter, one of those USB coffee heaters, or a desk fan?

As long as you use it for the regular stuff, it should work fine without an adapter (and if you want to plug in 2 usb powered portable hard disks then you'll have to do it one at a time...).

[Griffin NoName]

I always end up needing it - don't ask why....

Erm... what do you plan to connect to that adapter, one of those USB coffee heaters, or a desk fan?

As long as you use it for the regular stuff, it should work fine without an adapter (and if you want to plug in 2 usb powered portable hard disks then you'll have to do it one at a time...).

Yes yes yes yes and no. I thought I had explained all that. What you say is true. But what I said is also true.

For the sake of not going there.... let's for now just pretend I am going to plug a 3000Kw heater into it


EDIT

I just knew I was in for trouble with this topic.

Who designs these things?



Shame it's not what I need.

[Griffin NoName]

AHA!

Would this do the trick - or would the reverse polarity make the ExpressCard work backwards?




http://www.effectpowersupplies.com/mini-jack-plug-adaptor-12-p.asp

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

I know I'm not telling you what you want to hear but:
1. Is there a free USB port in the laptop? and 2. are you planning on carrying all the peripherals with your laptop all around?

Doesn't something like this make more sense?

[Griffin NoName]

No and Yes and No.

I'd quite happily buy a different ExpressCard and even with only 2 USB ports instead of the 4 I really want. But the only ones I can find do not have good reviews and also do not have their (optional) power adaptors included anyway. So even being that flexible gets me nowhere

[beagle]

Something like this?

You can ask them if it will work with the ST unit (which they also sell).

Obviously, like all power supplies, it will be made in China by someone at the end of a 72 hour shift, so you might want to consider a fire extinguisher at the same time. One problem with these swappable plug ones is the connection can be a bit flimsy.

Don't forget to set the voltage and polarity 

[Griffin NoName]

Thanks Beagle.

It does work with the ST Lab card. But always read the small print

7. No, not even buying a Universal type. They are biiger, heavier, and much more expensive, and I do not need one.

The types that does just the one job, rather than the ten things you never use, are much lighter and much much cheaper. If there is a "right" one. I am beginning to suspect China does not export the (optional) cables

How serious is the fire risk?

[beagle]

How serious is the fire risk?

Only kidding. They're all made in China anyway and you won't get a major brand name on something like this.  As safe as milk.

[Griffin NoName]

Yes, I suppose we can't say as safe as houses anymore

[Griffin NoName]

Found an alternative ExpressCard 4 port USB.

It's the Aptiotek SPEED Quad USB 2.0 Express Card Adapter. Still no power cord supplied, just the usual socket if needed. Stupid Stupid.

Having trouble finding any reviews on it. One says it falls out of Mac slots, otherwise good.

I rather like this review on it I just found.

Apiotek has revealed the ExpressCard/34 card of USB 2,0 of the quadrangle for the notebooks recently that have an idle groove of ExpressCard around seating. Whereas more and more USB-the adminículos and the peripheral one are based, it has perfect sense to take the complete advantage from the vacant groove of ExpressCard with this bucket of USB 2,0 of the quadrangle. The offer of Apiotek comes with two rows from a pair from the ports from 2,0 USB each one, finishes with a lateral cat for an adapter of the energy. Enough stranger, the adapter of the energy is not including and he is due to buy separately. Just to connect the devices of low power of the consumición because an adapter of the CA is not always the thing easiest to find, specially when you are in going.

I hope that explains why I want the optional adapter one cannot buy anywhere Zono.

[Bluenose]

Umm, if it were me, I would simply buy one of the right rating (volts and amps) and then cut off the wrong plug and substitute it for the right one which I would buy at my local electronics shop.  However, unless you have a soldering iron and are familiar with working with electroinics, that probably does not help.

Would you like me to make you an adaptor lead (to use with whatever power adapter you can get) and mail it to you?

[Griffin NoName]

   

I've just discovered I have already got a suitable power adaptor but I can't tell what size the jack is - it may fit.

I have put a few queries into online shops so I think I'll get lucky !!

But thanks. I'll get back to you if needed

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

   

I've just discovered I have already got a suitable power adaptor but I can't tell what size the jack is - it may fit.

I have put a few queries into online shops so I think I'll get lucky !!

But thanks. I'll get back to you if needed

You may have already solved this one, but I find that the superior brand of USB HUBS often come with power adapters.... you could steal that and use it with your card?  The rating is right up with what you need, typically.

I bought one about a month ago, and it came with one...

[Griffin NoName]

Hang a hub off the card !  I already have a couple of hubs with power adaptors so yes this would work.

Trouble is, the idea of the ExpressCard is to reduce the amount of kit. Now I'm having visions of fitting all 4 ports of the ExpressCard with powered hubs........ surrounding myself with coffee heaters, and desk fans like Zono suggested, and little nodding USB Beagles which I know are available. The fantasy is growing. I could create a new version of the Emin bed. Centre of the Universe - Universal Hub Bed !!!   mmm hubs off hubs.... lots of flexible wiring.... leading to hubs off hubs off hubs off hubs, a spidery Queendom.....  Help !!!

I haven't resolved it yet. I have found a manufacturer with the help of DigitalDave (seems like a nice guy) who appears to have a suitable adaptor and a suitable DC plug adaptor for the ST Lab card and I'm just waiting for them to confirm they are what I think they are.

Then it's big decision time.

never go shoe shopping with me