I just got an SDS200 to add to a small collection of scanners, all of which are marked at 13.8V on the rear panel. AC adapters that have 13.8v output seem to be fairly hard to find. ScannerMaster sells a 4-scanner AC adapter they say is good for the SDS200 and several other Uniden scanners. My question is whether the 1.8V difference is critical to operating the scanners. I don't want to damage my scanners, especially the brand new SDS200.
Is it a problem to use a 12v ac adapter with a scanner such as the SDS200 that says it requires 13.8v?
- Thread starter hlmthree
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That won't make a difference. With the engine off, the nominal voltage in your vehicle will be closer to 12V. With the engine running, and the alternator charging the battery, that's when you're more likely to see the 13.8V. As long as the adapter can provide enough current (a "four scanner" adapter probably is more than sufficient), your scanner will work just fine.
Thanks very much, Steve.
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12v is fine. In the same way car electronics are rated for 12v but the charging system puts on 13.8~ on most normally running vehicles.
Ubbe
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Most of the electronics in the scanner runs on 3,5volt. It's the display that might run on 8,5v or something like that and the audio amplifier that probably runs more or less from the power jack. If the voltage drops to much the scanner probably has a reset circuit that doesn't allow the scanner to power up. But it should run fine even on 10volt and up to 15volt.
/Ubbe
/Ubbe
Thanks to you all! I feel completely comfortable using the adapter now.
I know a guy with a power supply that will handle your collection at 13.8v
Astron SS-10 7 amp 12 V DC Power Supply - like new
I just bought ($104.95) this Power Supply from DX Engineering on October 3rd. I opened it up, installed the blue LED to indicate when the power was on. At the same time, I ruined my chance of returning it. I bought too small of a power supply...
This radio comes with a power supply, why the questiion
The question was not specific to the SDS200. I have 2 scanners without a power supply, both of which say 13.8v, and I wanted to be sure I could use the 4-scanner adapter for all of them.
Basically, because of the above (car/alternator running post above) - 13.8vDC is 'synonymous' with 12vDC.
In the 12 volt (car accessory) powered world, they essentially mean the same thing....
In the 12 volt (car accessory) powered world, they essentially mean the same thing....
If equipment's rated to have a 12V supply, 13.8V will be okay since the 12V operating voltage allows a certain amount of tolerance. For example a car battery is rated at 12V but when the engine's running at a good RPM (like when the car's moving) and there's little load (no lights running and fan not at max, for example) the electrically system will be somewhere near 13.8V.
The only time it becomes an issue is with things like C.B. radios, and the voltage drops below 12V (like when the car's sitting at a stop light and everything's on--especially all the lights & fan at max). Times like this the transmit power can drop. (I experienced this on my older cars--haven't run a CB on new cars so who knows, they might've figured out a way to regulate that better on the current generation of cars...)
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