linksys WRT54G power supply problem

For the second time, the power supply for my linksys WRT54G has died.
Obviously I am now thinking there is a problem with the router. Though I am
willing to accept it just might be a coincidence even though it seems
unlikely.

Anyone else seen a similar problem with these routers?


--
John Blessing

http://www.LbeHelpdesk.com - Help Desk software priced to suit all
businesses
http://www.room-booking-software.com - Schedule rooms & equipment bookings
for your meeting/class over the web.
http://www.lbetoolbox.com - Remove Duplicates from MS Outlook

On 8/5/2005 10:57 AM, John Blessing wrote:
> For the second time, the power supply for my linksys WRT54G has died.
> Obviously I am now thinking there is a problem with the router. Though I am
> willing to accept it just might be a coincidence even though it seems
> unlikely.
>
> Anyone else seen a similar problem with these routers?
>
>

Maybe it is being blown by power spikes?

"Dan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:5XNIe.26$(E-Mail Removed)...
> On 8/5/2005 10:57 AM, John Blessing wrote:
>> For the second time, the power supply for my linksys WRT54G has died.
>> Obviously I am now thinking there is a problem with the router. Though I
>> am willing to accept it just might be a coincidence even though it seems
>> unlikely.
>>
>> Anyone else seen a similar problem with these routers?
>>
>>
>
> Maybe it is being blown by power spikes?

It's on one of those surge-protected adaptors.

--
John

On Fri, 05 Aug 2005 13:09:05 -0500, Dan <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On 8/5/2005 10:57 AM, John Blessing wrote:
>> For the second time, the power supply for my linksys WRT54G has died.
>> Obviously I am now thinking there is a problem with the router. Though I am
>> willing to accept it just might be a coincidence even though it seems
>> unlikely.
>>
>> Anyone else seen a similar problem with these routers?

>Maybe it is being blown by power spikes?

(I didn't see the original message on my news feed, so I'm replying to
the reply. Sorry.)

I've lost three of the old 5VDC 3A Linksys power supplies used on the
WRT54Gv1 incantation. Every model after that used 12VDC 1A power
supplies, which seem to work just fine. The WRT54G has a very wide
range switching regulator inside that will run on anything from about
4VDC to perhaps 18VDC. If the power supplies that are blowing up are
5VDC 3A models, I suggest trying the 12VDC 1A flavor.

Another possibility for PS failure is overheating. I had one
customers that blew up their router wall wart because the floor heater
had cooked the power supply sufficiently to blow the internal thermal
fuse (usually 175F).

There are also cord flex problems. Molded power connectors often go
intermittent. Same with breaking the power connector inside the
WRT54G. Check the power supply output with a DC voltsguesser.

Power spikes and AC line glitches sufficient to fuse a power supply
would also blow up most of the home electronics in the house.
Dropping the neutral might cause one phase of the power line to go
overvoltage. It's possible, but there would probably be considerable
damage to other things in the house. The typical surge protector will
also protect (or destroy itself) against overvoltage.


--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
AE6KS 831-336-2558

John Blessing wrote:

> "Dan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:5XNIe.26$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> On 8/5/2005 10:57 AM, John Blessing wrote:
>>> For the second time, the power supply for my linksys WRT54G has died.
>>> Obviously I am now thinking there is a problem with the router. Though I
>>> am willing to accept it just might be a coincidence even though it seems
>>> unlikely.
>>>
>>> Anyone else seen a similar problem with these routers?
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Maybe it is being blown by power spikes?
>
> It's on one of those surge-protected adaptors.
>
Hi,

John, what state is the surge protectors? Some people just purchase a marked
generic surge protector and think it will work forever. Not so!

I really like the neon indicators for the obvious reason but I still
periodically check my units. Even the box mount units. The MOVs' in the
cheaper units will protect but if the hit is to large. Then the joules for
that device rating could be exceeded therefore the device will fail.

Gas discharge (GDT) is another good means of protection but most consumers
don't select these. They will opt for the MOV or Avalanche Diodes which do
work (cheaper). But the device impedance is not that of a GDT let alone the
capacitance.

NOTE! Check that adapter.

As for the wall wart. I agree with Jeff in that the WRT54G will allow you to
use the 12 VDC 1A.


--
Regards and Godspeed,
Gary

The magic is in the Magician not the wand!

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

First, as was standard even 30 years ago, the load cannot
damage any properly designed power supply (which is not
necessary true of power supplies purchased by business school
graduates using cost controls).

Second, power supply contains everything internally that can
protect it on the power cord.

Third, plug-in protectors don't even claim to protect from
typically destructive transients. The effective protector
must earth transients before they can enter the building.
Learn from what professional locations have been doing even
before WWII. The 'whole house' protector earths destructive
transients at the service entrance because any transient
inside the building will find numerous destructive paths. For
telephone switched centers, the protector is best locate 50
meters from the transistors AND directly on the earth ground.
Earth ground - not the protector - defined protection. The
protector only connects a destructive transient to protection
- earth ground.

Your protector was only providing transients with more
destructive paths through that router.

Fourth, without more specific information - such as voltage
readings - then we don't know what happened to that power
supply. I don't even see where there is any reason to believe
the supply is sufficiently sized OR that the replacement
supply has sufficient regulation. IOW I don't even see where
a replacement supply was an exact manufacturer replacement.
There is more to power supplies than just voltage and
amperage.

The plug-in surge-protected adaptor is just as effective
when in a trash bag. They don't even claim to protect from
typically destructive transients. They simply claim
protection from a transient that does not typically exist -
and then shorts you information so that you will assume "surge
protector = surge protection". Protector and protection are
two completely different components of a surge protection
system. So manufacturer lies by telling half truths.

Define what is meant by "a power supply has died". Define
dead. Did it die, or just go into a protective mode such as
current fold back limiting?

John Blessing wrote:
> "Dan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:5XNIe.26$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> On 8/5/2005 10:57 AM, John Blessing wrote:
>>> For the second time, the power supply for my linksys WRT54G has
>>> died. Obviously I am now thinking there is a problem with the
>>> router. Though I am willing to accept it just might be a
>>> coincidence even though it seems unlikely.
>>>
>>> Anyone else seen a similar problem with these routers?
>>
>> Maybe it is being blown by power spikes?
>
> It's on one of those surge-protected adaptors.

"w_tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> First, as was standard even 30 years ago, the load cannot
> damage any properly designed power supply (which is not
> necessary true of power supplies purchased by business school
> graduates using cost controls).
>
> Second, power supply contains everything internally that can
> protect it on the power cord.
>
> Third, plug-in protectors don't even claim to protect from
> typically destructive transients. The effective protector
> must earth transients before they can enter the building.
> Learn from what professional locations have been doing even
> before WWII. The 'whole house' protector earths destructive
> transients at the service entrance because any transient
> inside the building will find numerous destructive paths. For
> telephone switched centers, the protector is best locate 50
> meters from the transistors AND directly on the earth ground.
> Earth ground - not the protector - defined protection. The
> protector only connects a destructive transient to protection
> - earth ground.
>
> Your protector was only providing transients with more
> destructive paths through that router.
>
> Fourth, without more specific information - such as voltage
> readings - then we don't know what happened to that power
> supply. I don't even see where there is any reason to believe
> the supply is sufficiently sized OR that the replacement
> supply has sufficient regulation. IOW I don't even see where
> a replacement supply was an exact manufacturer replacement.
> There is more to power supplies than just voltage and
> amperage.
>
> The plug-in surge-protected adaptor is just as effective
> when in a trash bag. They don't even claim to protect from
> typically destructive transients. They simply claim
> protection from a transient that does not typically exist -
> and then shorts you information so that you will assume "surge
> protector = surge protection". Protector and protection are
> two completely different components of a surge protection
> system. So manufacturer lies by telling half truths.
>
> Define what is meant by "a power supply has died". Define
> dead. Did it die, or just go into a protective mode such as
> current fold back limiting?
>


Crikey, didn't think I was going to have to study night-school for this <g>
I was only trying to ascertain if it was a known problem with this router.

Output on the 1st p/s went to about 3.6V. The replacement was just a.n.
other 5v p/s I had kicking around, worked for a week or so, then it's output
went to 0V

If the third one goes then I think I will just replace the router.

--
John Blessing

"John Blessing" <jb@**REMOVE**THIS**Lbesoftware.com> wrote:
>Crikey, didn't think I was going to have to study night-school for this <g>
>I was only trying to ascertain if it was a known problem with this router.

A couple extra summer school courses might be good... ;-)

>Output on the 1st p/s went to about 3.6V. The replacement was just a.n.
>other 5v p/s I had kicking around, worked for a week or so, then it's output
>went to 0V

Whoa. What kind of current rating did that replacement have.

>If the third one goes then I think I will just replace the router.

And what kind of current rating does the one you are using now have?

(If you decide to dump it... heh heh, I'll send you my address!)

--
Floyd L. Davidson <http://www.apaflo.com/floyd_davidson>
Ukpeagvik (Barrow, Alaska) (E-Mail Removed)

"Floyd L. Davidson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "John Blessing" <jb@**REMOVE**THIS**Lbesoftware.com> wrote:
>>Crikey, didn't think I was going to have to study night-school for this
>><g>
>>I was only trying to ascertain if it was a known problem with this router.
>
> A couple extra summer school courses might be good... ;-)
>
>>Output on the 1st p/s went to about 3.6V. The replacement was just a.n.
>>other 5v p/s I had kicking around, worked for a week or so, then it's
>>output
>>went to 0V
>
> Whoa. What kind of current rating did that replacement have.
>

3rd one is 1.6A, pretty sure the 2nd one was about the same, but it is in
the bin now.

--
John Blessing

"John Blessing" <jb@**REMOVE**THIS**Lbesoftware.com> wrote:
>"Floyd L. Davidson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> "John Blessing" <jb@**REMOVE**THIS**Lbesoftware.com> wrote:
>>>Crikey, didn't think I was going to have to study night-school for this
>>><g>
>>>I was only trying to ascertain if it was a known problem with this router.
>>
>> A couple extra summer school courses might be good... ;-)
>>
>>>Output on the 1st p/s went to about 3.6V. The replacement was just a.n.
>>>other 5v p/s I had kicking around, worked for a week or so, then it's
>>>output
>>>went to 0V
>>
>> Whoa. What kind of current rating did that replacement have.
>>
>
>3rd one is 1.6A, pretty sure the 2nd one was about the same, but it is in
>the bin now.

Hmmm... a 5 VDC supply rated at 1.6A can deliver 8 Watts.

The supply that Linksys sells with the unit is 12V at 1A, or 12
Watts.

Hence, you are probably pushing it a bit, but it might work. On
the other hand, if that other supply was 5 V at 1 A, it would
not be amazing that it burned up. For that matter, if the 1.6 A
supply goes it won't be shocking.

I'd find a power supply that can handle closer to 12 Watts, or
more.

--
Floyd L. Davidson <http://www.apaflo.com/floyd_davidson>
Ukpeagvik (Barrow, Alaska) (E-Mail Removed)