How to Convert Battery Operated Devices to Plugin

Converting a battery operated device to wired power can be less expensive to operate in the long run.

Battery-operated devices are used in nearly every facet of everyday life. Over a long period of time, a single battery-operated device may require new batteries hundreds of times. If the battery-operated device---such as a battery-operated radio---is set in one place and is only moved when the batteries must be changed, it may be more cost-effective to convert the battery-operated device to use a wired DC adapter.

Things You'll Need

• Battery-operated device
• DC power adapter
• Electrical pliers
• Electrical wire
• Electronic (rosin core) solder
• Soldering iron
• Vinyl electrical tape

Instructions

1. Open the battery compartment on the battery-powered device. Remove the batteries.

2. 

   Adaptor tips are usually marked as to which wire corresponds to the positive connection.

   Snip the tip from the DC adapter. Pull the wires apart until there are approximately six inches of slack between the wires. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from each wire end, and mark the positive wire (which was formerly connected to the center connector on the tip) with a piece of electrical tape.

3. 

   In this device, the negative wire would be soldered to the spring, and the positive wire would be soldered to the left top battery connection.

   Twist the negative wire to the spring terminal, which is not connected electrically to any other battery connection. Solder this wire to the spring. Solder the positive wire to the flat battery terminal, which is not connected electrically to any other battery connection.

4. Break a small corner off the battery cover, and route the electrical cord so it sticks out of the hole in the battery cover. Replace the battery cover. Plug the DC adapter into the wall socket, and turn on the device.

References

• Electronic Devices; Thomas Floyd; 1996
• University of Technology Sydney (Australia): An Application: A Battery Charger