Question on DC jack terminals

[BowieReefer84]

Hello,

 

Please see this product http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-117/DC-Power-Connector/Detail

 

Is the connection with the hold the + or - ? I want to make sure I wire my dimming kit properly? The pdf directions show it too small to tell.

[Guest thefishman65]

It depends on the power supply. I would plug in the power supply and measure the voltage across the two terminals.

[Hayden]

It could be either. It will depend on what your power supply is outputting. This image I found may help. http://www53.babidou...12V1.5Apd01.jpg Just above the "Made In China" at the bottom there is a diagram showing whether the tip is positive or negative. Your power supply you are using should have a similar description on whether the tip is + or -. You'd just need to hook up your connector to match. But as thefishman65 said above, a meter will also tell you whether it's a positive or negative tip.

[randumbwit]

Haydens got it spot on.

Edited March 16, 2011 by randumbwit

[BowieReefer84]

http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-132/10V-AC-Adapter/Detail That's the power supply. I have a multimeter.

 

SO, if mine looks like picture Hayden posted would the connection on the DC Jack with the hole be the + ?

 

Here are the directions that rapidled provided... http://www.vinnymarini.com/pictures/rapid_docs/RapidLED_diy_dimmer.pdf

 

 

How does the multimeter help me in the "dummy" version?

[Chad]

Make sure your multimeter is set up to read Vdc and is set to the range you need.

 

Connect the leads between the two locations.

 

If the number on the multimeter is positive (and reads the number you expect, e.g., 10 volts), the (-) terminal on the meter is the (-) part of the DC jack.

 

If the number on the multimeter is negative, the (-) terminal on the meter is the (+) part of the DC jack.

 

 

[TonyD]

Tip is always positive. Sleeve is always negative...standard electrical format. They always make touching the positive more difficult so you don't get shocked.

 

In your DC jack adapter picture, the long leg is negative. The center tip connection is positive. If you want to send it to me, I can have it done in an hour. I just built Sean (F&F) a dimming circuit. If he can open it up and take a picture, that would help.

[Hayden]

If it looks like this (similar to the one in the pic in the link I put above):

 

- ----(*---- +

 

the tip or inner connector is positive. And the outer connector is negative.

 

 

 

 

if it looks like this:

 

+ ----(*----- -

 

the tip or inner connector is negative. And the outer connector is positive.

 

 

 

Assuming it's the first one (with a positive tip/inner connector) then you will solder your positive wire to the inner connector on your 'DC Power Connector'. The negative wire will be soldered to the terminal for the outer connector on your 'DC Power Connector'. Looking at page 4 in the directions you posted (http://www.vinnymarini.com/pictures/rapid_docs/RapidLED_diy_dimmer.pdf) it lists the "DC Jack + (center terminal)". So yes, it does confirm that the inner connector with the "hole" in the center (as you put it) should be positive and the outer connector is negative.

 

Hope this helps.

[randumbwit]

Haydens diagram is correct. I would say that you should definitely solder the power supply to your terminals, then double check it with a meter to be safe. Its worth it to avoid the risk of reversing the polarity and ruining a piece of equipment.

[Hayden]

....you should definitely solder the power supply to your terminals, then double check it with a meter to be safe.....

 

+1