Sensibly Powering DC Technology?

Posted by Cliff on Wednesday April 20, 2005 @02:15AM from the do-away-with-the-wall-warts dept.

splatnet asks: "Having upgraded my PC to a Mac Mini all my IT kit is now DC. The Mini, my flatscreen, external USB HDD, USB DVD writer, JBL speakers, ADSL/Wireless Router. I have practically the same amount of space taken up for transformers as I do computer equipment! Has anyone found/invented a way to power multiple DC devices (all with slightly different power requirements)? I'm thinking in terms of space/convenience/running costs etc." It would be neat if there was a DC power source that could be tuned to a specific voltage, as well as modular plugs to fit your various devices. Is there anything out there that comes close?

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Re:I'm waiting for the day by Gilk180 · 2005-04-20 04:04 · Score: 5, Informative
>Any other requirements could be done by stepping voltage down.h

You can't just step down DC power, that is one of the many reasons AC is ubiquitous when most electronics operate on DC.
- With AC, voltages can be stepped down or up.
- AC can be more easily transmitted over longer distances because it is transmitted at very high voltage(and therefore low current), then transformed near the destination to 110/220/whatever you might use.
- AC can easily be converted into DC. Give me a good diode. Or even better, 4 diodes and a capacitor. The inverse it not true.
- I know I'm forgetting some things...