Power adapter for a Roku 3

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russelljsmith

23 posts

Geek

#133847 5-Nov-2013 08:28

Hi,

I've been lurking on here reading about people using Roku 3 devices, I took the plunge and ordered one from Amazon.com last week (last tracked leaving Hebron, Kentucky).

My research suggests I should be able to use the supplied US power DC power adapter with a travel pin-convertor, but if I can I'd be happier using a NZ sourced DC adapter that can match the required outputs if I can find one.

The spec is 12v 1000mA (or 1.0a), previously I've used JayCar to source new adapters for equipment bought overseas (I moved from the UK three years ago), but I can't seam to find one on their site matching the outputs for this one. I've also checked DSE, TradeMe, PB Tech etc.

Two questions:

1). How are people with Roku 3s here in NZ powering theirs?

2). Does anybody know an alternative supplied for a DC adapter (or possibly if I missed it could you point me at one on JayCar).

Many thanks / Russ

shk292

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#927422 5-Nov-2013 09:14

There are a 1.5A and a 2.5A on Jaycar that would do the trick. Note that the power (amps) rating of the adapter is the maximum it can deliver; it will only actually deliver what the consuming device draws at the supplied 12v. In this case that will be something <= the rated 1A of the original adapter

nathan

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#927458 5-Nov-2013 10:08

I just bent the pins I mine so it fits into a NZ socket

not sure why you don't do that or just get a travel adapter/converter, will be much cheaper and same same

russelljsmith

23 posts

Geek

#927479 5-Nov-2013 10:38

shk292: There are a 1.5A and a 2.5A on Jaycar that would do the trick. Note that the power (amps) rating of the adapter is the maximum it can deliver; it will only actually deliver what the consuming device draws at the supplied 12v. In this case that will be something <= the rated 1A of the original adapter

Ah, thanks - that's good to know; I was trying to match it exactly and find a 12v 1.0a.

So this one should work? http://jaycar.co.nz/product...

russelljsmith

23 posts

Geek

#927485 5-Nov-2013 10:42

nathan: I just bent the pins I mine so it fits into a NZ socket

not sure why you don't do that or just get a travel adapter/converter, will be much cheaper and same same

Cheaper yes, but makes me a tad nervous for something I'm going to leave plugged in.

Maybe I'm being paranoid but I have a few travel plugs (mostly UK to NZ) around the house that I use with things I only need to use occasionally and they have a tendency to pull out of the wall easily, I've had a few sparks that way.

Thanks / Russ

shk292

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#927486 5-Nov-2013 10:45

russelljsmith:
shk292: There are a 1.5A and a 2.5A on Jaycar that would do the trick. Note that the power (amps) rating of the adapter is the maximum it can deliver; it will only actually deliver what the consuming device draws at the supplied 12v. In this case that will be something <= the rated 1A of the original adapter

Ah, thanks - that's good to know; I was trying to match it exactly and find a 12v 1.0a.

So this one should work? http://jaycar.co.nz/product...

Yes, perfect. And I see your point about travel adapters - they can provide an insecure connection. Not so bad with US flat pins but terrible with the asian(?) round pins

russelljsmith

23 posts

Geek

#933313 13-Nov-2013 16:54

For anybody reading this later I got my Roku yesterday, and I got the power adaptor from Jaycar. All working nicely so far.

Sifty

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#944703 3-Dec-2013 13:17

Hi Russ,

Can you confirm whether the roku 3 is still working well with the adapter from jaycar, and also which of the plug sizes are you using? Just interested as have ordered one from Amazon, and my friend has a bad story about a recent roku 3 he got and was using with a straight travel adaptor.

Cheers.

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Klipspringer

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#944712 3-Dec-2013 13:34

You dont need that fancy adapter.

A simple US/NZ conversion plug is all you need. Plenty on trademe and some of the $2 shops even stock them.

Sifty

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#944843 3-Dec-2013 16:22

I've noticed that quite a few people have being using the earlier Roku's with conversion plugs, but there seems to be some doubt on other forums about more recent Roku's. Also my mate got his Roku 3 on the 16th of November, plugged it in using a conversion plug, and it was a brick next day. He sent it back to Roku under warranty, and has just been told that the warranty is void due to using the wrong power source etc. Definitely interested to hear if anyone has been using a Roku brought in the last month with a conversion plug, or whether other steps need to be taken to ensure power supply is safe.

russelljsmith

23 posts

Geek

#944877 3-Dec-2013 17:27

Sifty: Hi Russ,

Can you confirm whether the roku 3 is still working well with the adapter from jaycar, and also which of the plug sizes are you using? Just interested as have ordered one from Amazon, and my friend has a bad story about a recent roku 3 he got and was using with a straight travel adaptor.

Cheers.

Hi Sifty,

All working well, Roku has been running for about 3-weeks now.

I can't remember which plug I used, I think it was either the 2.4mm or the 3.5mm, it was pretty easy to match visually anyway and seamed a good fit. Had to double-check the positivity as well, I'm pretty sure it was positive centre, negative outer. There is a diagram on the supplied US power adaptor and I just matched it up.

Russ

mail2mm

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#947711 8-Dec-2013 23:57

For Your Information - I have a Roku 3 purchased and used in the USA in June 2013. It came with a 110 VAC only power supply. I have been using it successfully, since October, here in NZ with a very cheap 240 to 110-120 VAC power supply/adaptor. I labelled it 110VAC ONLY in the hope I would not accidentally plug it into a US-AUS/NZ adapter plug. If my Roku PS had been capable of 220VAC operation I would have used a simple US-AUS/NZ adapter plug. I do not know what power supply the ROKU 3 currently ships with.

It works very well on USA Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Pandora using UnoTelly DNS settings on my router.

D.W

726 posts

Ultimate Geek

#955487 20-Dec-2013 14:11

For anyone ordering these from Amazon, they are shipping with an AC Adapter labelled 120v-60Hz only (Model # AAW-00).

After extensive reading both on Roku and Whirlpool forums, it appears these do in fact work in NZ without any need for a conversion adapter. Just a travel adapter (or bending pins) should be all that is required.

richms

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#957077 24-Dec-2013 20:16

While it may work, the labeling may have been done as 120v only due to problems with them blowing up on 240v because of them being a bit crap and the manufactures thinking they could get away with lower spec parts in them.

I would not be putting an item labeled 120v into 240v just because some forums said so without actually identifying the OEM of the adapter and comparing it to one of their ones that was labeled for 240v. And that would mean opening it up which is usually impossible.

As for using a US plug on 240v with a travel adapter - not a good idea if you have kids or incompetent people around the house as the US plug is a deathtrap with its exposed pins that would not pass any of the finger tests that countries that care about safety make things pass to be legal to sell. Thats why when I am ebaying or DX'ing I try to get the european or UK plugs on things so that I know that they are somewhat safe.

Bending pins - only if you want to murder your power outlet so it becomes loose and dangerous for any other plug ever again.

Richard rich.ms

D.W

726 posts

Ultimate Geek

#957260 25-Dec-2013 16:06

For the previous adapter supplied by Roku, there was a matching model that supported 240v. The Roku isn't "designed" for any countries using 240v, so there would be no need for them to test for this I believe.

I haven't seen a matching 240v model for their newest power supply however, but I have seen month's worth of posts on other forums without a single issue, and have ran mine for a reasonable amount of time now without issue (using a travel adapter, I'm not sure what you are referring to in regards to exposed pins? They aren't exposed at all). As for bending pins, I mentioned that because other people in this thread mentioned they do this, that's their choice.

Neviden

18 posts

Geek

#969273 18-Jan-2014 10:22

Sorry - Ignore this post, Note to self "Do not trust the guy at Jaycar to put the plug on the adaptor in the wrong way, Positive goes to Positive not negative LOL"

For anyone else wondering the link provided gives power to the Roku 3 from Amazon (purchased 10th Jan 2014) like a dream!
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Hi All,

I am having a little trouble with a Roku 3 purchased from Amazon (I initially searched about this before I bought it and thought I would hopefully get the 120-240v one), but it turns out that the power supply it came with has these specs:

AC Adaptor
Model: ELW121210-A
Input: 100-127V~ 0.4A 50-60Hz
Output: 12V - 1A

I haven't trusted forums i've read on just simply 'plugging it in' so I went to JayCar and purchased the same equivalent adaptor for NZ: http://jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=MP3312&w=mp-3312&form=KEYWORD

This is from what I understand the exact same specs (12V 1A) - but when I plug in the Roku to it nothing happens, no light - nothing (note the equivalent plug for it is exactly the same so it is not an issue with it not connecting correctly into the back of the device).

Has anyone else had any issues or might have any suggestions?

Thanks!