Is it safe to plug a 4.5V adapter into a 5V device?

[moojuice]

Im was wondering if it was safe to do that. My ciggarette adapter plug thingy for my CD player is 4.5V, but my mp3 player says 5V in by the plug, so I was wondering if I could just use the ciggarette adapter since its a lower voltage.

[shrike4242]

Depends on how it's wired, and if ground is in the center or in the edge of the plug. If the grounds are reversed, then you've just fried your MP3 player.

If they're not reversed, it might work or it might not work. You're feeding it 90% of the power it's supposed to be expecting, so it might work.

[DuelLadyS]

I don't reccomend doing this- my sister once had a NES with an off-voltage power supply... it buzzed when running and burned out shortly after she got it.

Do you electronics a favor, and just get a real replacement cord if you've lost one/never had it to start.

[Eviltude]

Terrible deed for the day: Who knows? Give it a go and let us know what happens.

PS
Don't actually do it.

[ZeroSupporT]

Amps play a big role too, make sure that it is a lower amperage than required

[shrike4242]

Amps play a big role too, make sure that it is a lower amperage than required
It's always the amps that do the damage. Important point, yes.

[afedock]

How do you lower the amps on a plug? Just curious, I mean, Volts= current x resistance, seems like that resistance cant be changed, so the current would be constant also?

[sheik482]

It's always the amps that do the damage. Important point, yes.

This is not true, unless you are referring to getting electricuted. A device will only take in the amount of amps it requires. If I have a device that needs 3 amps and I have a 12 amp power supply it will only draw in 3 amps. Voltage is what needs to be exact. to much can fry it, to litttle may cause it not to run.

[moojuice]

So yeah, im bald now thanks to my headliner catching on fire...
Yeah, not really, but I guess I'll try to play it safe and look for a 5V ciggarette adapter.