# printer power cable

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-power-cable/219773>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 18, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-power-cable/219773 "2003-12-18T15:43:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-power-cable/219773/1 "2003-12-18T15:43:22Z")

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I’m trying to get a power cable for an old printer, the original one is lost. The printer has a label that says it’s aan 11 volt input. I haven’t been able to find an 11 volt cable, but I have found an adjustable power supply, which can be switched between various different outputs. I can select 9V or 12V output, among others.

Would the printer work **safely** with this? Would 9v be too low to run it? Would 12v overload it?

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**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-power-cable/219773/2 "2003-12-18T15:49:58Z")

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Does it say 11 volt DC or AC input. If “AC” you’re likely SOL. and you’ll need to check the tip polarity as well (ie tip positive or negative) for the input.

Adjustable DC power supplies (in my experience) are typically fairly lightweight units, and would not usually have the amperage necessary to properly run a printer even if the voltage and tip polarity were correct.

What is the specific printer brand and model #?. If it’s an old HP Deskjet you can usually get a repacement PS from Goodwill or Salvation Army hardware tables with a few visits.

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**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-power-cable/219773/3 "2003-12-18T16:36:42Z")

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I had this problem with an inherited HP Deskjet. Gave it up after a year, it was cheaper to buy a new printer than replace the missing cable/power supply. As Astro points out, most DC power supplies are rated too low for the printer.

There should be a rating plate on the back near the input that will tell you the Amperage, AC or DC, and polarity.

Bst of luck with it.

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**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/printer-power-cable/219773/4 "2003-12-18T17:29:47Z")

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The tip about parts at thrift stores was good.

Try it a 9V? Too low won’t hurt. If no go then try 12V.

Not that much difference between 11 and 12.

While repairing monitors I use a varible transformer to go from 0 to sometimes well over 120 V.