Do wall warts (transformers) wear out?

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I have a wall wart transformer for a Termaltake BlacDuet which is an eSATA HDD & USB Docking Station which allows me to plug two hard drives into it and hook to the computer via a USB cable.

There is a pilot light on the Docking Station when the switch is on. Recently no pilot light and my computer doesn't "see" the device. I went to a "good" outlet in the kitchen, same problem.

I presume the wall wart died. I didn't realize they did. Or did the Thermaltake machine die on me?

Anyone have comments about the wall wart dying?

Thanks!

****

 

[stephenniall]

Standard wall warts are usually just AC transformers, they can fail but it's unusual. It's more likely something inside the machine thats broke (In my opinion).

 

[EOC_Jason]

Yes the wall-worts can die, if you have a multi-meter you can check the voltage and see if it's lower than what it should be (or any voltage at all). If it's higher than what its rated for, that's just because there is no load.

Check and see if you have another wall-wort of the same voltage and at least the same amperage. That can allow you to rule out which is bad.

 

[MFolks]

I had a "Wart" die that supplied power to the cordless phone charging station. Noticed the phone quit working one day, and the wart had discoloration(brown, as it's normally white), went to Radio shack & bought a compatable wart, no problems since.

 

[bsaint]

Longevity would depend on if its AC or DC but as all electronic components, they can fail due to heat from either loading, too low or too high incoming voltage, power surging, or ambient temperatures.

 

[G_P]

If you use a different wall wart make dang sure the polarity is the same! Its rare for them to die but does happen.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Standard wall warts are usually just AC transformers, they can fail but it's unusual. It's more likely something inside the machine thats broke (In my opinion).

Actually, most wall warts output DC so there is at least a rectifier and some filtering. Likely a simple voltage/current regulator chip also.

I sure wish more manufacturers would start using the "standard" micro-USB plug for 5V DC 1A power. It would simplify a lot of things/

 

[77thor]

Hmmmmm.... I haven't heard the term "wall warts" before.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I sure wish more manufacturers would start using the "standard" micro-USB plug for 5V DC 1A power. It would simplify a lot of things/

I agree. Same thing in the car. I'd love to get ride of that huge cigar to power/charge phones, GPS's, etc.

The docking station uses 12volt DC 3amps; at least that is what the wall wart said.

Update:

Went to Best Buy. The wall wart is fine, the docking station wasn't. BB uses the same brand/type of HDD docking station. My wall wart powered their station. Their wall wart would not power my docking station.

Ordering a new docking station tonight. Thanks for the posts.

 

[The Cobbler]

I have 2 dlink gigabit switches in my network,both power supplies ( walwarts) died, my electronics repair buddy took them apart & replaced bad capacitor. yes they do die