An off-topic question. Most electronics these days have dual-voltage chargers. For example, my iPhone, my B&N Nook, and my laptop are all dual voltage. Thus, when in a 220 volt AC location, all you need to do is plug the unit in using an adapter common to that location (I was in Paris last week making use of these dual-voltage characteristics so this prompted the question).
So, what is the technology of these dual-voltage chargers? I am asking because they are getting pretty small. The unit for my iPhone is just a little plastic wrapped container about 1 inch square. My Nook charger is even smaller in that it is only about 5/8 inch thick by 1 1/4 inch long. Both of these units are USP interfaces so I figure 5 volts charging and I know the Nook charger delivers a little more then the 500 mA maximum of a typical USB. Are these transformer plus rectifier and voltage regulator or are they some kind of switcher, or maybe just a rectifier diode and voltage regulator. They do heat up so there is something there absorbing a bit of energy. Maybe I need to cut one open but I am not wanting to do that if I can get the answer here. Thanks, 73, phil, K7PEH ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
