12v power supply question

[TLCNORM]

I have a cheap ebay camera (b/w IR and color) that I want to use as a spare. The power supply that was shipped was bad. It was 12v 500mah. The camera did not work well at all with this power supply. Lots of static and interference. I took a power supply from another camera I had and used that and it worked well but it is 12v 1a. There are no markings on the camera and I have no mfg directions. 2 questions:

1. What size power supply should I buy? Is 1A too much?Will it fry the electronics?
2. Any local stores carry these things? I'd hate to pay $5 s+h for a $6 power supply.

 

[electron]

The current rating (1A in this case) just means that it can provide UP to 1 amp. You don't have any power supplies laying around that are 12VDC and provide 500 or better mAh? Check your old routers, answering machines etc, you might have one already. Only other option is to find a local electronics store (a real one ,not Radio Shack, which probably will charge a lot more), which most areas do have.

 

[WayneW]

1. What size power supply should I buy? Is 1A too much?Will it fry the electronics?
2. Any local stores carry these things? I'd hate to pay $5 s+h for a $6 power supply.

Your power supply can be rated to supply more current than your device needs, it just runs at 50% (or whatever). so a 1A supply for a .5A device is great.
Yes, local stores carry stuff (Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc), but they probably want $15 for that $6 supply. YMMV

 

[amirm]

Your only risk is that should something short out in the camera, the higher current supply will cook it good . Let's hope it has a fuse of sorts to avoid this....