jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've mentioned this several times before, and I'm mentioning it again. I bet I have a hundred little power transformers for various devices. 5v, 9v, 12v 15v, positive and negative ground, and all with slightly different connectors. Really? Is that much variation necessary? I'm tempted bu buy one of those universal power supplies. You can set the voltage and select the correct connector, but they seem too iffy.

Maybe they could start by all using the same size connector. In a pinch, I've used a 12v in a 9v item - without problems. I now use a label maker to identify each power supply, and that makes it a lot easier to find the right one.

Of course, batteries for cameras and other electronics will never be interchangeable. I have a Canon SD800 and a Sony WX9. Their batteries are so similar that I had to write on them with a Sharpie. Being interchangeable would have made things so much simpler.

Companies always try to have proprietary accessories - until they realize they are shooting themselves in the foot. Sony tried to have its own hot shoe, so you would have to buy a Sony flash. I think they stopped doing that, but I still can't use generic mics on my Sony camcorders.

Remember when all cars used the same headlights? How nice! I remember the sealed beam headlights costing under $10. You know those LED headlights on Subarus that blind you day and night? I costs between $600 and $800 for a replacement. Naturally, you have to add tax and installation to that. My Fits use $10 bulbs - easy to install.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I put labels on what each adapter goes to.......

Major bummer about the LED headlights!
The other ones are SO easy to replace.
Just DON'T touch the bulb glass with your fingers!

BebuLamar

I buy a good number of connectors and make my own cables. As for the power supply I have a lab power supply that I can set the voltage from 0-36VDC and the maximum current of 5A which is more than enough for most of these devices. Different devices require different voltage and current. Requiring them to operate on one voltage would make it less efficient. This fact never bother me. In fact the new rules in the EU requiring a lot of devices to be chargeable from USB-C bother me more.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I use hot dog tongs.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BebuLamar

Most of the current cars you can replace the bulbs not too expensive. Expensive is when you have to replace the headlight assembly. Back in the old days you have to replace the entire headlight when the filament burned out but those lights were cheap as you said.

Ollieboy

I think it's more about the cheapest part available at the time of manufacture. Design astethics are the last thing they worry about. The following week or month may have a cheaper replacement. It's all about the Benjamins, especially with China

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I'm trying to get a replacement right now for a radio. £25.00 from the manufacturer.

It's a simple 240v - 9v 1a with a 5mm plug. Next door neighbour has one spare - will it fit, not a chance. It's 5mm, but there's some sort of interference there. So it's £25.00 or a new radio (or a hatful of batteries), good 'C' cell rechargeables are hard to find.

I'm right with you Jerry, one voltage (output) and one fitment.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I got some C and D rechargeables from Amazon. My cuckoo clock needs C batteries. I've seen C batteries that had a AA inside, so you're just getting a fat AA.

https://www.google.com/search?q=rechargeable+c+batteries&oq=rechargeable+c+batteries&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyCQgAEEUYORiABDIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDIHCAYQABiABDIHCAcQABiABNIBCDY3NTBqMGo0qAIAsAIB&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

AND, one has to watch- The connector sleeve will be positive for some, negative for others.

BebuLamar

Yes many rechargeable C batteries are just AA batteries. I don't use those.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

THAT's nasty!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

On the plus side, they don't weigh as much a C cells.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I'd rather go with longer lasting power......

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Definitely.