Power supply (wall wart) for PSR-500

Jay911 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-10-2013, 9:57 PM

Hey folks,

Recently I attempted to plug in my PSR-500 and discovered - almost nearly too late - that I had a short in the cable right near the transformer end of the power supply, at the edge of the strain relief. The thing very nearly combusted, and needless to say, is now trash (it indeed let out the magic smoke and was still too warm to touch 15 minutes after I got it out of the wall socket).

Scanner Master shows the thing on their site but out of stock - as has been the case with many GRE components as of recently. Being in Canada, I'm not exactly in the position to go to a brick and mortar store for a replacement - the best case is "The Source" which is what Canadian Radio Shacks were rebranded a few years back, and I sincerely doubt they'll have it.

Anyone got an idea of who might have these devices for sale, and won't kill me on shipping/customs charges? Or failing that, can someone point me in the direction of a worthy replacement i.e. one of those multi-voltage multi-tip adapters?

Thanks in advance!

revclstoner · #2 (**permalink**) 01-10-2013, 10:22 PM

Have you tried eBay?

Chauffeur6 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-10-2013, 10:49 PM

Is Radio Shack an option? If so, the 500/106 uses the Adaptaplug C with a 9v 500+ mA adapter.

Enercell 9VDC/ 800mA AC Adapter : AC Adapters | RadioShack.com

Enercell Adaptaplug C : Adaptaplugs | RadioShack.com

revclstoner · #4 (**permalink**) 01-10-2013, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chauffeur6

Is Radio Shack an option? If so, the 500/106 uses the Adaptaplug C with a 9v 500+ mA adapter.

Enercell 9VDC/ 800mA AC Adapter : AC Adapters | RadioShack.com

Enercell Adaptaplug C : Adaptaplugs | RadioShack.com

It's a possible option. I went there for a adapter for my Pro-2096 and they didn't have any...

Mojaveflyer · #5 (**permalink**) 01-10-2013, 11:03 PM

Have you tried GRE's website: GRE America, Inc. - grecom scanner receiver, lcd modules, spread spectrum radio, wireless bridge, scanner antenna, scanner pre-amps.

Jay911 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-11-2013, 4:08 AM

Radio Shack isn't really an option because they were sold off in Canada about 5 years ago and converted to "The Source by Circuit City" which appears to be a clearing house for NexxTech crap - but maybe that will work in my favor. Running those catalog numbers thru the "The Source" website search engine doesn't come up with anything, but I'll wander by a store later today and see. One semi-near me actually is an independent licensee of the name and is set up kind of like RS used to be in, say, the very early 1990s, when they still had a smattering of actual radio and tech gear left over from their purge, so maybe I'll luck out.

I'd rather get something quicker (and newer) than getting one off eBay (I want to use this radio for some trunking decoding without having a small forest of AAs charged and ready to be swapped every few hours), and I didn't know that GRE actually retails off their website.

Thanks everyone for their help!

Chauffeur6 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-11-2013, 8:06 AM

You know what, I just remembered that the 500 and the HP-1 both use the same barrel connector, which is an EIAJ-03 (4.75mm OD, 1.7mm ID) and both are 9v. The only caveat is that I believe the Uniden adapter that comes with the HP-1 is only rated up to 350 mA, whereas the 500's adapter is rated for 500 mA,. That being said, I cannot see the 500 drawing more than the HP-1, so it should work just fine.

Uniden AC Adapter for HomePatrol

And by the way, ScannerMaster also sells that Radio Shack adapter and the correct Adaptaplug. I believe they include one Adaptaplug with the purchase of the adapter, so check with them beforehand.

RadioShack 9V/800mA AC Adapter

RadioShack Adaptaplug C

smason · #8 (**permalink**) 01-11-2013, 9:08 AM

I've been meaning to purchase some of those connectors, as I want to build a mobile adapter. Mouser seems to be the best bet.
Jay, if you salvaged the cable and plug, you can get an adapter anywhere, and just graft it on.

k3cfc · #9 (**permalink**) 01-11-2013, 1:31 PM

If it was me i would find another wal wart 9 volt 500 ma or more doesn't matter and observe the polarity some heat shrink tubing solder and a hot iron and repair it.

K3CFC

GrumpyAeroGuy · #10 (**permalink**) 01-11-2013, 5:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojaveflyer

Have you tried GRE's website: GRE America, Inc. - grecom scanner receiver, lcd modules, spread spectrum radio, wireless bridge, scanner antenna, scanner pre-amps.

I was just on GRE's site to order a new battery cover for my PSR500...(pre-emptive strike...lol)

...and...

Their on-line store is "closed pending updates" or something like that

dkf435 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-12-2013, 8:35 PM

There are many adapters out there used, Uniden has some in the 350-400ma range for cordless phone charging bases and Sony has a 800ma one that was used on alot of cd players years ago. Pick them up at Good Will for less then $5 or second hand stores for less.

Even have a few with the Radio Shack OEM name on them from various other Radio Shack products that used the 9v EIAJ plug.

David

Chauffeur6 · #12 (**permalink**) 01-12-2013, 8:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkf435

TSony has a 800ma one that was used on alot of cd players years ago.

I use a Sony 9v 600mA EIAJ-03 AC-T46 with the HP-1. The adapter was from one of their cordless phones I had 10 years ago. Solid adapter, very consistent power output and barely gets warm with normal use.

Jakemcgraw · #13 (**permalink**) 01-16-2013, 8:47 PM

Here's one they sell on ebay for the psr-500 . Ebay item # 290835514797.

redburgundy · #14 (**permalink**) 01-17-2013, 2:11 PM

The Uniden AD-0008 wall charger works fine on my PSR-500.

redburgundy · #15 (**permalink**) 01-17-2013, 9:36 PM

And here's another one that works OK:
Sony AC-C610NA

alwayslookin · #16 (**permalink**) 01-21-2013, 3:22 PM

I have a question I have the Pro 106 and using a homemade adapter it's 9 volt 450 ma it does power the scanner and run it no problem. Is this good enough or do I need a higher MA? I did notice that I left the scanner plugged in all night and had rechargeable batteries in the yellow case and run the scanner for bout an hour with out adapter and the batteries died. Is that from not having higher MA? Also do i need to change the battery settings in the arc500 or win500 for using rechargeable batteries or just leave it alone. I noticed when I did change the settings in the software my low bat symbol would flash. Just don't want to mess anything up. Thanks for any help.

redburgundy · #17 (**permalink**) 01-21-2013, 3:31 PM

Everyone recommends that you use an external charger to charge your batteries.
That said, it's the voltage output of the adapter rather than the current capacity that determines whether the batteries will be charged. Too low a current capacity in the adapter might cause it to overheat and catch fire.

revclstoner · #18 (**permalink**) 01-21-2013, 3:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redburgundy

Everyone recommends that you use an external charger to charge your batteries.
That said, it's the voltage output of the adapter rather than the current capacity that determines whether the batteries will be charged. Too low a current capacity in the adapter might cause it to overheat and catch fire.

I recommend it!

alwayslookin · #19 (**permalink**) 01-21-2013, 4:12 PM

OK so can I use the adapter with the black battery case and keep batteries in it so it does not charge them or will it mess up the scanner? Thanks guys for the help.

revclstoner · #20 (**permalink**) 01-21-2013, 5:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwayslookin

OK so can I use the adapter with the black battery case and keep batteries in it so it does not charge them or will it mess up the scanner? Thanks guys for the help.

Based on what I researched, I would use the rechargeable batteries in the black battery case. When you want to use your DC adapter, take the black battery case out to prevent damage to the batteries and the radio.