power cord/ac adapter for IdeaScan

  • Thread starter Thread starter Karen Calow
  • Start date Start date
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Karen Calow

Hi all,

I'm trying to resurrect an old IBM IdeaScan I recently inherited without any
power cable/ac adapter. The specs on the IBM website read that I need a 15v
ac adapter. I've been unable to locate the connectors I need (I've checked
Radio Shack, Zellers & Walmart). I think I might be able to order the ac
adapter from the IBM site (in the U.S.)...but by the time I pay for the
item, shipping, customs fees, taxes, currency exchange rates, etc. I could
probably buy a brand new scanner! I couldn't find it on the IBM Canada
website.

I've been asked by a friend to scan about 50-60 documents and I'd like to be
able to help her out without going to great expense to do so.

The bottom line is...I'd like to know if there's any solution to not having
the power connection. Can I use an ac adapter that's less than 15v? Any
help is greatly appreciated.

TIA,
Karen in Keswick (Ontario, Canada)
 
Karen Calow said:
Hi all,

I'm trying to resurrect an old IBM IdeaScan I recently inherited without any
power cable/ac adapter. The specs on the IBM website read that I need a 15v
ac adapter. I've been unable to locate the connectors I need (I've checked
Radio Shack, Zellers & Walmart). I think I might be able to order the ac
adapter from the IBM site (in the U.S.)...but by the time I pay for the
item, shipping, customs fees, taxes, currency exchange rates, etc. I could
probably buy a brand new scanner! I couldn't find it on the IBM Canada
website.

I've been asked by a friend to scan about 50-60 documents and I'd like to be
able to help her out without going to great expense to do so.

The bottom line is...I'd like to know if there's any solution to not having
the power connection. Can I use an ac adapter that's less than 15v? Any
help is greatly appreciated.

TIA,
Karen in Keswick (Ontario, Canada)
Click to expand...

Well, first a picture posted on picture web site of the power connector
would be very helpful.
Don't forget the Link!

You probably have this link to the part on IBM web site.
http://www-1.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=psg1MIGR-4E6S2V


I would guess that a universial 15 volt 1 amp power adapter could be made to
work, if you can find the power connector.

The other way would be get inside the scanner and wire the power wire
directly to the back of the power connector in the scanner. Polarity is must
be correct. If the polarity is not correct, you may burn out something or
the scanner will not work at all.
 
Karen Calow said:
Hi all,

I'm trying to resurrect an old IBM IdeaScan I recently inherited without any
power cable/ac adapter. The specs on the IBM website read that I need a 15v
ac adapter. I've been unable to locate the connectors I need (I've checked
Radio Shack, Zellers & Walmart). I think I might be able to order the ac
adapter from the IBM site (in the U.S.)...but by the time I pay for the
item, shipping, customs fees, taxes, currency exchange rates, etc. I could
probably buy a brand new scanner! I couldn't find it on the IBM Canada
website.

I've been asked by a friend to scan about 50-60 documents and I'd like to be
able to help her out without going to great expense to do so.

The bottom line is...I'd like to know if there's any solution to not having
the power connection. Can I use an ac adapter that's less than 15v? Any
help is greatly appreciated.

TIA,
Karen in Keswick (Ontario, Canada)
Click to expand...
IIRC this scanner requires 15 volts DC as input, which is originally
supplied from a switched mode plug pack. The polarity is important; get it
wrong & you will blow the DC-DC converter chip in the scanner, which is not
polatity protected. Sorry I don't remember whether the socket is centre
positive or negative, but it should be marked.
 
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