Power Plug for Late Auroras - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Mikey405 · 11th Mar 2018, 12:24 pm

Hi all.

I have a couple of Aurora standards converters - both of which are brilliant pieces of kit.

However, I cannot find a suitable plug to fit the power socket on my "later" Aurora. My early one is quite happy with a 2.1 x 5.0 mm (as it says on the packet) plug, but this is no good for the later model: The same plug seems way too small - there's no grip at all on the edge and the plug just falls out.

I'm never quite sure of the size denominations regarding this kind of plug so if anyone could point me in the direction of a suitable plug on Amazon or eBay etc. then I'd be very pleased.

Thanks all.

Kind regards.

From Mike.

dseymo1 · 11th Mar 2018, 1:54 pm

You could, of course, just swap the socket, so that both PSUs fit both devices, assuming that the spec is otherwise similar.

Mikey405 · 11th Mar 2018, 2:08 pm

Hi Dseymo.

Quote:

You could, of course, just swap the socket

Hmm. I'm not sure I'm quite that desperate yet.

I hope it won't be too difficult to source the correct plug.

Thanks for the suggestion though Dseymo and, who knows, it may even come to that...

Kind regards.

From Mike.

PS. Does anyone know what these plugs are called? (The generic name I mean.)

Mikey405 · 11th Mar 2018, 2:17 pm

I've ordered a pair of 5.5mm x 1.7mm plugs to see if that would work. It's a bit awkward to measure the pin on the socket but it looks like it might be about right. The site calls them "Jack" plugs (which I always thought they were) but when I previously mentioned that to a house-alarm person he told me they weren't called "Jack plugs" and they had a special name (which I've long forgotten).

Anyway, I shall report back in case it helps other Aurora owners.

Thanks all.

Kind regards.

From Mike.

Dave Moll · 11th Mar 2018, 2:19 pm

I think the next size up may be something like 5.5/2.5. There do seem to a bewildering number of varieties of these connectors. Incidentally, the generic name seems to be simply DC power plugs - even though they are also used by wallwarts with AC output.

Sorry, I got it the wrong way round - I see you're looking for a smaller plug not a larger one.

Dickie · 11th Mar 2018, 2:50 pm

My Aurora instructions say use a "standard" 5.5x 2.1mm plug.

rambo1152 · 11th Mar 2018, 2:56 pm

You could just drop Darryl (tubesrule) a PM.

1100 man · 11th Mar 2018, 5:51 pm

It's good to know that I was not the only one to have the same problem! I tried all sorts of different plugs, but only a 5.00/2.1 would fit. I tried about 20 5.00/2.1 plugs until I found one that worked reliably. The socket fitted to the Aurora seems very loose, even with the plug that does fit. It seems the centre pin is slightly undersize.
Fantastic piece of kit though, especially for the very reasonable price

All the best
Nick

Dickie · 11th Mar 2018, 7:03 pm

Taken from their website.

11th Mar 2018, 12:24 pm	#1
Mikey405 Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Solihull, West Midlands and Beaford, Devon Posts: 1,622	Power Plug for Late Auroras Hi all. I have a couple of Aurora standards converters - both of which are brilliant pieces of kit. However, I cannot find a suitable plug to fit the power socket on my "later" Aurora. My early one is quite happy with a 2.1 x 5.0 mm (as it says on the packet) plug, but this is no good for the later model: The same plug seems way too small - there's no grip at all on the edge and the plug just falls out. I'm never quite sure of the size denominations regarding this kind of plug so if anyone could point me in the direction of a suitable plug on Amazon or eBay etc. then I'd be very pleased. Thanks all. Kind regards. From Mike. __________________ G7TRF

11th Mar 2018, 1:54 pm	#2
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Power Plug for Late Auroras You could, of course, just swap the socket, so that both PSUs fit both devices, assuming that the spec is otherwise similar.

11th Mar 2018, 2:17 pm	#4
Mikey405 Octode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Solihull, West Midlands and Beaford, Devon Posts: 1,622	Re: Power Plug for Late Auroras I've ordered a pair of 5.5mm x 1.7mm plugs to see if that would work. It's a bit awkward to measure the pin on the socket but it looks like it might be about right. The site calls them "Jack" plugs (which I always thought they were) but when I previously mentioned that to a house-alarm person he told me they weren't called "Jack plugs" and they had a special name (which I've long forgotten). Anyway, I shall report back in case it helps other Aurora owners. Thanks all. Kind regards. From Mike. __________________ G7TRF

11th Mar 2018, 2:19 pm	#5
Dave Moll Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Cumbria (CA13), UK Posts: 5,922	Re: Power Plug for Late Auroras I think the next size up may be something like 5.5/2.5. There do seem to a bewildering number of varieties of these connectors. Incidentally, the generic name seems to be simply DC power plugs - even though they are also used by wallwarts with AC output. Sorry, I got it the wrong way round - I see you're looking for a smaller plug not a larger one. __________________ Mending is better than Ending (cf Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) Last edited by Dave Moll; 11th Mar 2018 at 2:21 pm. Reason: edit misread original post

11th Mar 2018, 2:50 pm	#6
Dickie Octode Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: St. Albans, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 1,360	Re: Power Plug for Late Auroras My Aurora instructions say use a "standard" 5.5x 2.1mm plug. __________________ Regards, Richard, BVWS member

11th Mar 2018, 2:56 pm	#7
rambo1152 Dekatron Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 3,626	Re: Power Plug for Late Auroras You could just drop Darryl (tubesrule) a PM. __________________ -- Graham. G3ZVT

11th Mar 2018, 5:51 pm	#8
1100 man Octode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Ventnor, Isle of Wight, & Great Dunmow, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,359	Re: Power Plug for Late Auroras It's good to know that I was not the only one to have the same problem! I tried all sorts of different plugs, but only a 5.00/2.1 would fit. I tried about 20 5.00/2.1 plugs until I found one that worked reliably. The socket fitted to the Aurora seems very loose, even with the plug that does fit. It seems the centre pin is slightly undersize. Fantastic piece of kit though, especially for the very reasonable price All the best Nick