Radio Shack Portable AC-to-DC Regulated Power Supply, 22-503 Owner's Manual

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Cat. No.

OWNER’S MANUAL

Please read before using this equipment.

Portable AC-to-DC

Regulated Power Supply

22-503

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FEATURES

Your RadioShack Portable AC-to-DC Regul ated
Power Supply is designed to supply power to
equipment such as CB and ham radios and auto­sound systems that require 12V DC powe r. The
power supply converts standard 120V or Europe­an 220/240V AC power to regulated 13.8V DC
(vehicle) power. The power supply can supply up
to 3 amps (40 watts) of c ontinuous power. Small
and portable in the supplied carry case, the pow­er supply is easy to use in the field.

Your vehicle’s electrical system provides

Note:

approximately 13.8 volts when the engine is run­ning.

If you are an electronic hobbyist or technician,
you will appreciate the many uses f or the power
supply at your workbench or in your home. For
example, you can use the power supply to power
a laptop computer or your CB mobile transceiver
as a base station, or check the operation of auto­sound systems before you install them in your ve­hicle.

©

1998 Tandy Corporation.

RadioShack is a registered trademark used by

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All Rights Reserved.

Tandy Corporation.

!

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Not recommended for outdoor use.

WARNING

: To reduce the risk of
fire or shock hazard, do not ex­pose this product to rain or mois­ture.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK.

DO NOT OPEN.

CAUTION

ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE
COVER OR BACK. NO USER-SERVICE­ABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVIC­ING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

This sy mbo l is in tend ed t o ale rt yo u to th e pr es­ence o f uni ns ul ate d d ang er ous vo lt ag e wi thi n t h e
product’s enclosure that might be of sufficient
magni tude to cons titute a ris k of electr ic shock .
Do not open the prod uct’s cas e.

: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF

This symbol is intended to inform you that impor­tant operating and maintenance instructions are
included in the literature accompanying this prod-

!

uct.

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Your power supply’s features include:

Built-In Cigarette Lighter Socket

— lets you
quickly connect a cigarette-lighter plug to the
power supply.

Over Temperature Protection Circuit

— auto­matically shuts off AC power to the power supply
if it overheats.

Current Overload Fuse Protection

— the built­in fuse automatically detects an ou tput overload
and shuts off standard 120/240V AC current input
power to the power supply.

Lighted Power Switch

— makes it easy to see if

the power supply is on.

Universal AC Input Voltage

— lets you use
standard 120V or European 220/240V AC power
to power the power supply.

Output Sh ort Circuit P rotection

— the power
supply automatically shuts off output power if the
output is shorted, then restores output power
when the short circuit is removed.

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Push-Terminal Connectors

— let you easily

connect wires directly to the power supply.
This power supply has been tested and found to

comply with all applicable UL standards and FCC
requirements.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

DANGER — TO REDUCE THE RISK
OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,
CAREFULLY FOLLOW THESE IN­STRUCTIONS

This manual contains important safe ty and oper­ating instructions for this power supply. Before
you use the power supply, read a ll the instruc­tions and cautionary markings in this m anua l, on
the power supply, and on the product that you will
connect to the power supply.

1.

Read Instructions

operating instructions should be read before
the appliance is operated.

2.

Retain Instructions

operating instructions should be retained for
futur e reference.

3.

Use in Countries other than USA

connection to a supply not in the USA, use
an attachment plug adapter of the proper
configuration for the power outlet.

6

— All the safety and

— The safety and

— For

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4.

Heed Warnings

— All warnings on the
appliance and in the operating instructions
should be adhered to.

5.

Follow Instructions

— All operating and

use instructions should be followed.

6.

Cleaning

— Unplug the power supply from
the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use
liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a
damp cloth for cleaning.

7.

Attachments

— Do not use attachments
not recommended by RadioShack as they
may cause hazards.

8.

Water and Moisture

— Do not use this
power supply near water — for example,
near a bath tub, wash bowl, kitchen s ink, or
laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a
swimming pool.

9.

Accessories

— Do not place this power
supply on an unstable cart, stand, tripod,
bracket, or table. The power supply may fall,
causing serious injury to some one and seri­ous damage to the appliance. U se onl y with
a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table recom­mended by the manufacturer or sold with the

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power supply. Any mounting of the appliance
should follow the manufacturer’s instructions
and should use a mounting accessory rec­ommended by the manufacturer. An appli­ance and cart combination should be mo ve d
with care.

Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven
surfaces may cause an appliance and cart
combination to overturn.

10.

Ventilation

— Slots and openings in the
cabinet and the back or bott om are prov ide d
for ventilation and to ensure reliable o pera­tion of the power supply and to protect it
from overheating. These openings mus t not
be blocked or covered. The openings should
never be bl ock ed by placi ng the power sup­ply on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar sur­face.

This power supply should never be placed

near or over a radiator or hea t register. This
power supply should not be placed in a built­in installation such as a bookcase or rack
unless proper ventilation is provided or the
manufacturer’s instructions have been
adhered to.

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11.

Power Sources

— This power supply
should be operated only from the type of
power source indicated on the marking
label. If you are not sure of the type of power
supplied to your home, consult your appli­ance dealer or local power company.

12.

Grounding and Polarization

— This power
supply is equipped with a polarized al ternat­ing-current line plug (a plug having one
blade wider than the other). This plug will fit
into the power outlet only o ne way. This is a
safety feature. If you are unable t o in sert the
plug fully into the outlet, try reversing the
plug. If the p lug shou ld s till fail t o fit , co ntact
your electrician to replace your obsolete out­let. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the
polarized plug.

13.

Power-Cord Protection

— Power-supply
cords should be routed so they are n ot l ikely
to be walked on or pinched by items placed
upon or against them, paying particular
attention to cords at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit
from the appliance.

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14.

Exten sion C ords

— Do not use an exten­sion cord unless absolutely necessary.
Using an improper extension cord could
result in a risk of fire and electric shock. If an
extension cord must be used, make sure:

a. The pins on the extension cord’s plug are

of the same number, size, and shape as
those of the plug on the charger.

b. The extension cord i s properly wired and

in good electrical condition.

c. The extens ion cord’s wire size is at least

18 AWG.

15.

Lightning

— For added protection for this
power supply during a lightning storm, or
when it is left unattended and unused for
long periods of time, unplug it from t he wall
outlet. This will prevent damage to the power
supply due to lightning and power-line
surges.

16.

Overloading

— Do not overload wall outlets
and extension cords as this can resul t in a
risk of fire or electric shock.

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17.

Object and Liquid Entry

— Never push
objects of any kind into this power supply
through openings as they may touch dan­gerous voltage points or short out parts that
could result in a fire or electric shock. Never
spill liquid of any kind on the power supply.

18.

Servicing

— Do not attempt to service this
power supply yourself, as opening or remov­ing covers may expose you to dangerous
voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing
to qualified service personnel.

19.

Damage Requiring Service

— Unplug this
power supply from the wall outlet and refer
servicing to qualified service personnel
under the following conditions:

• When the power-supply cord or plug is

damaged or frayed.

• If liquid has been spille d o r obj ects have

fallen into the power supply.

• If the power supply has been exposed to

rain or water.

• If t he power supply does not operate nor-

mally by following the operating instruc­tions or if any unusual sounds or smells

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come from it. Adjust only those controls
that are covered by the operating instruc­tions, as improper adjustment of other
controls may result in damage and will
often require extensive work by a qualified
technician to restore the p ower supply to
its normal operation.

• If the power supply has been dropped or
the cabinet has been damaged.

• When the power supply exhibits a distinct
change in performance — this indicates a
need for service.

20.

Replacement Parts

— When replacement
parts are required, be sure the service t ech­nician has used replacement parts, specified
by the manufacturer, that have the same
characteristics as the original part. Unautho­rized substitutions may result in fire, electric
shock, injury to persons or other hazards.

21.

Safety Check

— Upon completion of any
service or repairs to this power supply, ask
the service technician to perform routine
safety checks to determine that the power
supply is in proper operating condition.

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22.

— This power supply product should

Heat

be situated away from heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other
products (including amplifiers) that produce
heat.

SERVICE

1. Except as noted in this Owne r’s Manual, do
not attempt to service this power supply
yourself. Instead, unplug it and contact a
qualified service technician.

2. Be sure the service technician uses autho­rized replacement parts or their equivalents.
Unauthorized parts may cause fire, electrical
shock, or other hazards.

3. Following any service or repair, be sure the
service technician performs safety checks to
certify that your power supply is in safe oper­ating order.

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CONNECTIONS

Caution:

connect the power supply to AC power.

Make all other connec tions before yo u

CONNECTING A DEVICE
REQUIRING POSITIVE AND
NEGATIVE WIRES

Warning:

supply and the device:

• Follow the correct polarity when connecting

• Do not let the ends of the positive and nega-

1. Turn off the device you are connecting to the

2. Set

To avoid damage to both the power

the power supply and the device.

tive wires touch each other.

power supply.

on the front of the power supply

.

to

POWER

OFF

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3. While pressing the red tab on the back of the
power supply, insert the device’s positive (+)
wire (usually red) into the hole next to the
red tab. Then release the tab to secure the
wire.

4. While pressing the black tab on the back of
the power supply, insert the device’s nega­tive (–) wire (usually black or white) into the
hole next to the black tab . Then release the
tab to secure the wire.

5. Connect the power supply’s AC power cord
to a standard AC outlet.

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CONNECTING A DEVICE
REQUIRING A CIGARETTE­LIGHTER SOCKET

You can connect a device that uses a cigarette­lighter adapter to the power supply.

Cautions:

• You must use a cigarette-lighter adapter that
supplies 12 volts and delivers at least 3
amps of power. Its center tip must be set to
positive and its plug must fit the power jack
for the device you are powering. Using an
adapter that does not meet these s pecifica­tions could damage the power supply, the
device you are powering, or the cigarette­lighter adapter.

• Always plug the cigarette-lighter adapter
into the device you are powering before
you plug it into the power supply’s ciga­rette-lighter socket. Always unplug the ciga­rette-lighter adapter from the power supply’s
cigarette-lighter socket before you unplug it
from the device you are powering.

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1. Turn off the device you are connecting to the
power supply.

2. Set

POWER

to

OFF

.

3. Pull the tab on t he cigarette-lighter socket’s
rubber cap on the side of the power supply
to expose the socket.

Notes:

• The rubber cap is attached to the power

supply . Do not try to remove it.

• Be sure to close the cigarette lighter

socket’s rubber cap when you are not
using the socket.

4. Connect the device’s DC power cord to the
power supply’s cigarette lighter socket.

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5. Connect the power supply’s AC cord to a
standard AC outlet.

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OPERATION

To turn the power supply on or off after you prop­erly connect a device to it, set

OFF. POWER

lights when the power supply is

turned on.

POWER

to ON or

Caution:

If

POWER

does not light or the connect-

ed device stops operating:

• Check all connections and confirm the AC
outlet has power.

• Make sure the connected device and the
device’s DC power cord are not s horted or
overloaded. Then wait about 10 minutes for
the power supply to cool.

• The fuse inside the power supply mi ght be
blown. If this happens, contact your local
RadioShack store.

Your power supply’s t emperature protec-

Note:

tion circuit automatically shuts down the power
supply if the power supply overheats. If this hap­pens, turn off the power supply, then wait about
10 minutes or until the power supply cools before
you turn it on again.

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CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Your RadioShack Portable AC-to-DC Regul ated
Power Supply is an example of superior design
and craftsmanship. The following suggestions
will help y ou care for your power s upply so you
can enjoy it for years.

Keep the power supply dry. If it
gets wet, wipe it dry immediately.
Liquids might contain minerals
that can corrode the electronic cir­cuits.

Use and store the power supply
only in normal temperature envi­ronments. Temperature extremes
can shorten the life of electronic
devices and distort or me lt plastic
parts.

Keep the power supply away from
dust and dirt, which can cause
premature wear of parts.

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Handle the power supply gently
and carefully. Dropping it can
damage circuit boards and cases
and can cause the power supply
to work improperly.

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Wipe the power supply with a
damp cloth occasionally to keep it
looking new. Do not use harsh
chemicals, cleaning solvents, or
strong detergents to clean the
power supply.

Modifying or tampering with the power supply’s
internal components can cause a malfunction
and might invalidate its warranty. If your power
supply is not performing as it shou ld, take it to
your local RadioShack store for assistance.

THE FCC WANTS YOU TO
KNOW

This device complies with Part 15 of the

. Operation is subject to the following two

Rules

conditions: (1) This device may not cause harm­ful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, i ncluding interference
that may cause undesired operation.

FCC

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SPECIFICATIONS

Input Voltage ................ 90 to 240 VAC Nominal

Input Frequency ... .............................. 50–60 Hz

Output Voltage ........................... 13.8 VDC ±5%

Output Current .. 3 Amps DC Continuous (Max.)

AC Fault Protection ........ 1 Amp 250V AC Fuse

Short Circuit Protection Automatic Power Down

Line/Load Regulation ................... Less than 5%

Output Ripple .................... 100 mV RMS (Max.)

Design .................................. Switch Mode Type

Operating T emperature ................... 32 to 104°F

(0 to

40°C)

Storage Temperature .................... –13 to 158°F

(–25 to 70°C)

Input Cable .......... 18 AWG x 2C W/1-15P Plug,

SPT-2 6 Feet

Power Switch, Illuminated:

125 VAC ........................................... 15 Amps

250 VAC ........................................... 10 Amps

Dimensions (HWD) ........... 1

7

/8 × 3 × 71/2 Inches

(48 × 76 × 191 mm)

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Weight .................................................... .89 lbs

(0.4 kg)

Accessory .......................... Padded Carry Case

Specifications are typical; individual units might
vary. Specifications are subject to change and
improvement without notice.

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NOTES

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Limited Ninety- Day Warranty

This product is warranted by Rad ioShack against man ufacturing de­fects in materia l and workmanship under normal use for ninety ( 90)
days from the date of pu rchase from RadioShack comp any-owned
stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers. EXCEPT
AS PROVID ED HE REIN, R adio Shac k MAKES NO E XPRESS WAR­RANTIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PUR­POSE, ARE LIMITED I N DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE
WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. EXCEPT
AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY
OR RESPONSIBILITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON
OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LIABILITY, LOSS OR DAM­AGE CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USE OR PERFOR­MANCE OF THE PRODUCT OR ARISING OUT OF ANY BREACH
OF THIS WARRANTY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY
DAMAGES RESULTING FROM INCONVENIENCE, LOSS OF TIME,
DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR PROFIT OR ANY INDIRECT,
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN
IF RadioShack HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES.
Some states do no t allow th e li mitatio ns o n how l ong an i mplied wa r­ranty lasts or the exclusion of incidental or cons equential damages ,
so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you.
In the event of a product de fect durin g the war ranty perio d, take the
product and the RadioShac k sales receipt as pro of of purchase date
to any RadioShack store. RadioShack will, at its option, unless other­wise provided by law : (a) correct the de fect by prod uct r epair with out
charge for parts and labor; (b) replace the prod uct with one of the
same or similar des ign; or (c) r efund the p urchas e p rice. All repl ac ed
parts and products, and products on which a refund is made, become
the property of RadioShack. New or reconditioned parts and products
may be used in the p erfor mance of warranty service . Repa ired or re­placed parts and products are warranted for the remainder of the orig­inal warranty p eriod. You will be charged for repa ir or repl ace ment of
the product made after the exp iration of the w arranty period. ( contin­ued)

27

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(continued) This warranty does not cover: (a) damage or failure
caused b
improper or ab normal us a
installation or maintenance, alteration, li
excess volta
b
as fuses or batteries; (d) cosmetic dama
pin
set-up service ad
This warrant
other ri

or attributable to acts of God, abuse, accide nt, misuse,

a RadioShack Authorized Servi ce Facil ity; (c) consumables such

e or current; (b) any repairs other than those provided

or insurance costs; or ( f) costs o f pr oduct r emoval , inst allati on,

ustment or reinstallation.

ives you specific legal rights, and you may also have

hts which vary from state to state.

RadioShack Customer Relations, Dept. W,

Suite 600, Fort Worth, TX 76102

We Service What We Sell

e, failure to follow instructions , improper

htning or other incidence of

e; (e) transportation, ship -

100 Throckmorton St.,

3/97

9/98N Printed in the USA

RadioShack

A Division of Tandy Corporation

Fort Worth, Texas 76102