Does polarity matter ?

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Padrone

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Mar 28, 2014
49
Catalina 30 Hyde Park NY
Does polarity matter when connecting up a 12v (car) outlet for use when plugging in an adapter for using a charger for I Pad/phone etc ?
I have tried to use two different ones in the boat and neither worked...and now do not work in a car either ! have they been blown ?
They, the outlets work when using for a fan.

Thanks
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,759
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Yes it absolutely matters... If these are small USB 12V adapters they are likely toast if plugged into a reversed polarity socket...
 
C

Capt jgw

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Feb 8, 2014
1,300
Columbia 36 Muskegon
I did the same thing a while back. On mine there's a tiny little fuse that blew. Now that Radio Shack is gone, you'll have to look up where you get that kind of stuff in your area. My adapter came from the Dollar Store so I just pitched it.
 
P

Padrone

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Mar 28, 2014
49
Catalina 30 Hyde Park NY
Thanks guys for the quick response and confirming what I believe to be the case. Two cheap adapters fried, no fuses in them. I will confirm polarity with an tester to be sure before reversing the connections that were made by the previous owner. I had not suspected a problem as (non polarity sensitive) items worked it, was only when I tried to charge my I Pad and phone that when they did not I began to suspect a problem.
 
Brian S

Brian S

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Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
Totally unrelated, but I learned that for 30' HDMI cables (for TVs) they absolutely can be directional.

I learned this because I ignored the direction sticker, and ran a 30' cable through the walls and ceiling, and had to pull it and re-do it.

Those dang 6' HDMI cables between the Xbox and TV ain't directional!!!!
 
Meriachee

Meriachee

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Aug 1, 2011
3,972
Catalina 270 255 Wabamun. Welcome to the marina
In the march to make stuff smaller and smaller, have they (love the "they" reference) have they managed to get rid of the magic smoke too?
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
Brian S said:
Totally unrelated, but I learned that for 30' HDMI cables (for TVs) they absolutely can be directional.
Click to expand
Long ones with RedMere circuitry are.
 
P

Padrone

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Mar 28, 2014
49
Catalina 30 Hyde Park NY
Original poster..............I have checked polarity, it was reversed! I have corrected it and all is well.

Thanks to all for comments.
 
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