Would this AC adapter work with this external HDD enclosure?

Question

So I've lost the adapter that came with my external HDD enclosure, but I have a pile of AC adapters, most are under-powered. This one is the closest, but it seems like the enclosure needs a little more amperage than the adapter would provide. Would it be safe to give it a try?

I've posted links to the specs on the HDD box, and the adapter I've found.

The HDD's power adapter specs are:

AC input 100~140V, DC output 12V 2.0A

My spare adapter shows:

Input 120VAC 60 Hz 27.1W / Output 12VAC 1670 mA

Solution

In general, an adapter rated close to the desired output is fine.

In fact, if the device is less than about a decade old, the truth is it generally doesn't matter all that much because most electronics are now made for the world market and have to put up with very widely varying inputs so they can handle pretty variable outputs.

A couple of issues though:

• "Output 12VAC", is that a typo because it looks like the output is AC not DC, if that is true, you MUST NOT use it.
• As the output is only rated 1.6a, it may not actually give that output especially if the device draws a full 12v, this may have a small long term impact on the reliability of the disk. This is offset by the fact that the device claims to want 24w (12v*2a) which is well within the 27w of the adaptor. So you should be OK.
• If the device really draws 2a (actually it probably wont but its hard to predict), the adaptor is likely to run very hot

Comments

[Julian Knight]

Under no circumstances can you use this adaptor with the hard disk unit which requires DC (direct current) not AC (alternating current)!

[Ethan]

When you say 1670 amps, you mean milli-amps, right? 1.67 amps?

[billc.cn]

No, that's not a typo. VAC means exactly what you thought it means: the output is AC (alternating current). This kind of power adapter is commonly used in stuff like ADSL models and wireless routers, but it should not be used with pure DC equipments like hard disks.

[Julian Knight]

Ha! Thanks, I've seen the picture now. Thanks for the edit.

[Daniel R Hicks]

I think the AC/DC mismatch trumps everything else.

[neverMind9]

@billc.cn Do not use it, if it is AC! Reverse polarity will likely immediately kill the electronics, if no protective diode is integrated.