Hosa ACD-477 Universal Power Adapter for Home and Office Use

Xytsrm: The description of the Hosa Cable ACD477 Universal AC Power Supply on Amazon, refers to a Wattage of 7.5wats. Is this Input, Output or just incorrect?

From feedback received for the ACD477, it can supply up to 1200ma (or 1.2a) at 12v.
Simple calculation P = VI = 12v x 1.2a = 14.4 watts.
So 7.5 watts can't be output power; if it's input power 7.5watts/14.4watts = 0.52x100% = 52% efficiency - not great.
So is 7.5 watts even correct?

United States on Mar 28, 2023

Nicolay DoytchevNicolay Doytchev: It's not UL listed but at least it's got ETL unlike most power supplies sold around. That means it shouldn't be a total fire hazard. No audible noise. The barrel connectors are of good quality as are most Hosa cable connectors. The power supply housing is a bit cheaper than expected but it doesn't make me feel queasy.

Canada on May 31, 2021

glen walace: Ez to use

Canada on Feb 15, 2019

JS: Works as advertised

Canada on Jun 29, 2017

Kevin Chelsea: I'm an idiot, I bought this thinking it was more than 1000ma.

I do have uses for it and it is handy to have around, but... I'm not using it right now. Still, good to know I have it.

Canada on Mar 06, 2015

frankp93: I understand some peoples' concern about the lack of UL rating but I use this power supply on a project basis where I'm always present rather than leaving it on continuously when I'm not around. I also build and repair electronics and think I understand and can protect myself from calculated versus careless risk.

This adapter works fine. I used a meter to confirm the switch regulates as advertised. One thing to be aware of is you can attach the right-angle tips in positive or negative polarity by aligning the 'TIP' marking on the cable socket with the '+' or '-' sign on the tip. This is mentioned in the instructions (but when's the last time you bothered to read them for such a device?).

It's a very similar design to the Insignia brand universal adapter sold at Best Buy that has straight-length tips rather than right-angled but doesn't allow you to flip polarity - and costs about $7-8 dollars more than the Hosa.

The tips themselves fit fine: effects pedals, keyboards, portable CD player -everything I've tried has a matching tip that gives a snug fit. Perhaps there are some oddball devices out there with proprietary plugs or certain outlets...

United States on Jan 12, 2015

Kindle Customer: If you make a device you need a permanent power supply for this is your device. You can adjust the power supply and the voltage is regulated so if there's any problem with your device it won't be compounded by a crude, cheap device overloading it as you risk by cannibalizing a cheap jack from a cheap no longer used device.

It's not expensive but not cheap and for what you pay for its well worth it.

Now, my perspective is a gadget guy for making things. For replacing that lost power jack to an old pre USB charger device you could do no better for anything from a phone's charger to a video game system. Just research for what is the positive and negative, some devices get killed instantly if polarity is reversed. You can change that with this device, the power end has two equal prongs and the wire is marked. Also the selection of jacks will fit the smallest to largest you'd want for the power range it will give.

United States on Dec 12, 2014

:)): As described. Instructions clear. Quiet, light. No cord between box and plug, so it takes up room on a power bar, but that's typical.

Canada on Aug 25, 2014

Ilium: I purchased this item because I had lost my DC adapter to my cordless drill. My drill is only 7.5V so this adapter was within the needed range. There is a dial on it to select the correct voltage as well as the different sized general plugs. I did run into a slight problem because my drill did not state whether it was positive or negative polarity. I looked it up and learned that a rule of thumb that usually works (but definitely not always) is that if the plug hole has a center pin it is more than likely positive. I would research your item as best as possible though before doing that, and I definitely wouldn't guestimate in that way if it were an expensive item. But I set my adapter to positive and it charged by drill just fine. I also have a few other items around the house that I intend to use this for so I am very happy with it so far. One thing I would like on my wishlist for this item is for the different plugs to be able to be attached to the adapter body somehow, because as it is I could definitely see it being very easy to lose them.

United States on Apr 11, 2012

Robert A. Gilliam: Unlike all the other universal DC supplies I've seen, this one is voltage regulated. This means there's a semiconductor control that keeps the voltage constant across a wide range of loads. Without regulation, the voltage of a DC supply will only be correct when it's providing its rated current output. If the load is less, the voltage will rise and could damage the device being powered.

The supply is rated for 1200mA and can run on AC at 100 to 240 volts. Under a 580mA load on the 12v setting the voltage fell from 12.06v to 11.82v. On the 6v setting it fell from 5.68v to 5.48v. This is pretty good. With the regulation, there's no risk of damaging the device being powered, as long as you set the voltage and plug polarity properly.

Compared to another of my universal supplies, this one causes a bit less buzz when powering a little self-amplified speaker. I had to hold the speaker right up to my ear to hear the noise.

Since it's a switching power supply rather than a transformer, it's small and light compared to other universal supplies I've seen. When left plugged in with no load, it doesn't get warm at all.

The AC plug prongs fold down...

United States on Feb 20, 2011