10.05
We lost power on Sunday. No big deal…the UPS kept my desktop, router and a few choice pieces of equipment running until my generator automatically kicked on. Unfortunately, the lights on my Linksys Wireless/VoIP router didn’t come back on (it’s plugged into the surge-protected outlet, not the battery-protected outlet.) Damn. I tried plugging the router into another outlet across the room – still no lights. Double damn. I broke out my voltmeter and checked the voltage coming from the power supply cord. Bingo! Zero volts. Luckily, the power supply sacrificed it’s life for the router, <sarcasm>which is contrary to design, the router is supposed to fail before the power supply.</sarcasm>
I went digging in one of my “junk” boxes and came out with one of those select-a-voltage power supplies with interchangeable tips from Radio Shack. This one just happened to put out 1 amp at one of the user-selectable voltages ranging from 1.5V to 12V. I checked Linksys power supply – Output: 12V @ 1amp. The barrel plug on the Radio Shack model fit the Linksys and was already center-positive. A perfect match! I hooked up all the cables and got back to business with a “new” power supply feeding electric juice to the core of my network.
I can’t believe Radio Shack came to my rescue. I mean, usually I find their stuff to be over-priced & cheaply made and usually functions for the 90 day warranty before dying on the 91st day. Some of you may swear by Radio Shack and have all kinds of victory stories but that’s not been my experience over 20 years. So, needless to say, I’m shocked but happy. I should take this time to find a replacement power supply for my Linksys.