2/6     does a dead light bulb draw power?
        \_ No.  No current flows, ergo no power.  (motd physics nerds
           please correct me if I am in error). -dans
           \_ the reason i ask is i think there might be some
              current slow in a dead flourescant.
              \- 1. Fluorescent lamps often "partially" die, rather than it
	...

3/28    So I'm really confused about the DC to DC, car-to-laptop power adapter.
        How come most of them are "inverter" types, where you convert from
        DC to AC, and then AC to DC? Isn't that inefficient?
        \_ Using a resistor or transistor to do DC->DC also gives power loss.
           -not an EE.
        \_ It's easier to step up/down the voltage if the current is in the
	...

12/27   Anyone have experience with voltage regulators? Ie, it will
        correct under and over voltage back to 120v? I am trying to
        find one... Thanks.
        \_ Yes, they will do that. Is there anything more specific
           you wanted to knwo?
           \_ What particular ones have you used? How well does it work?
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10/16   Has anyone had AC power adapters that are slightly warm even when
        it's not connected to the device that uses it? Obviously, this means
        it must be consuming energy even when it's not transforming anything,
        but why should it be?
        \_ Every AC adapter generates some heat...some much more than others.
           Inside, you have active devices that are constantly working to
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9/11    Is it practical to have, say, a large portion of CA or AZ running
        on solar power? My coworker runs his entire household via solar
        and it got me to wondering what would happen if everyone did this.
        Obviously industrial plants need more power, but could we do away
        with a lot of our polluting plants if everyone went solar? If so,
        then why don't we? What are the technological obstacles, if any?
	...

11/6    For AC adapters, if something says it needs 4.5V 300mA, is it all right
        to use something higher-rated, like 4.5V 500mA? Why or why not? Thanks.
        \_ The neutron flux can break down the gamma field.
           Get some ball bearings.
           \_ Good advice.  Also, don't cross the streams or there will be a
              total protonic reversal.
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7/14    Do DC to AC power inverters cause any strain / damage to car batteries?
        Would the car battery wear out faster from continued use of the
        inverter?  Specifically, I'm looking at the Xantrex XPower 75 watt DC
        to AC inverter, available on http://buy.com at http://csua.org/u/3m8  If it
        does not damage the car battery or the device, is this a good price?
        \_ no, no, yes
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07/15   I need to get a replacement AC adaptor for a device which
        says 7.5VDC 1.2AMPS. Will a generic AC adaptor
        that supplies 7.5V, 1000mAh (like from Fry's) work??
        \_ You meant 1000mA instead of 1000mAh?
        \_ Maybe, but you're safer if you get one 7.5V, 1200mA, or > 1200
                                      I think you mean ~, not >  _/
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