"Make-a-plug" question

**InHoc** · 07-22-2006, 10:33 PM

I picked up a few of those plug adapters at RS and the corresponding power cord. The plugs are going to my Aopen miniPC and Xenarc to the P1900. The problem, how do I know which wire is + and -? The plug can fit either way on the power cable and either a + or - is facing the TIP at the end of the cable.

I know this question is confusing, but how do I tell which wire of my new plug is + or -. I'm working on an illustration to help explain...

**yrean** · 07-22-2006, 10:40 PM

one word : Voltmeter.

**InHoc** · 07-22-2006, 10:45 PM

The end of the white plug reads "+" and the end of the black connector reads "TIP" - I'm sure that is of some significance. I know that generally the black/white stripped wire is +, but I think the polarity changes depending on which way the plug is attached.

Let me know if I can make it any clearer...

**InHoc** · 07-22-2006, 10:46 PM

I do have a voltmeter, but without power to my cord, it is no good...

**thanatos106** · 07-22-2006, 11:13 PM

You don't need power.... what you want to check is for continuity. put + from the voltimeter (red) inside the barrel and the - (black) one of the cables then you will know which is which.

Thanatos.

**InHoc** · 07-22-2006, 11:13 PM

Okay, so w/some research - I have discovered that the polarity of the Xenarc is Tip Positive - but will the black/white wire still correspond to the +?

**thanatos106** · 07-22-2006, 11:15 PM

Also have in mind that the xenarc + is the inside of the barel and - the out side.

THanatos.

**InHoc** · 07-22-2006, 11:31 PM

I won't lie, I've had a few drinks but your last posts make 0 sense to me. Here is a better picture. I wish I had some better search terms to figure this out... but I need to fill in the "?"

**InHoc** · 07-22-2006, 11:35 PM

Using the voltmeter, I know which wire goes with each hole in the barrell, but how does that help me? I'm failing to see the big picture here...

**InHoc** · 07-22-2006, 11:39 PM

Oh ****! If I put the + end of the voltmeter into the hole in the plug (white) and touch the - end of the voltmeter to the black/white wire I get some action (making it the hot wire). Touching it to the solid black gives me nothing (thus it is ground, right?) We may have just had a breakthrough...