Help Hammerbach power a scanner

Factual Questions
1

I have a visioneer 4400 scanner, and I’ve lost the wall wart for it. There doesn’t seem to be any info on the machine itself; anyone got a good guess for power requirements on this thing?

Thanks!

2

You can get a replacement from the manufacturer for $19.99.

3

Though I guess that isn’t such a good deal when you can get a brand new scanner for $60.

Here are the specifications according to the manual:

Power supply
Input voltage/frequency 120 Vac, 60 Hz (North America)
Output voltage/watt 12 V DC, 15 watt maximum

4

That would be 1.25 A. Radio Shack has a 12 VDC 1.5 A supply for $19.99 - no shipping (catalog # 273-1779). Bring the scanner to select the correct size plug, you get one free with the adaptor. As for polarity, you have a 50% chance of getting it right. If you don’t, you could damage the scanner, though most electronics have some level of reverse-voltage protection, even at the chip level, and can withstand a few seconds of revesed polarity. It’s another option for you.

5

Thanks! I’ll try it tomorow, it’ll be smoke or glory!

6

To check unmarked polarity, I use an ohmmeter to test the jack and any reasonably approximation of ground on the device. Negative would usually be 0 Ohms to ground, positive, Big Ohms to ground.