[helpseeker]

I bought a Canon Powershot A510 digital camera, and want to use a "universal" ac adapter I have (it provides the correct voltage, and has the proper connector). Unfortunately, the camera isn't marked -- as most are -- as to the correct polarity of the input plug.

I contacted Canon, but they refuse to reveal that information. (Yeah, doesn't make any sense to me either!)

So I have 2 questions:

First, any ideas how I can determine what polarity the camera requires?
And, does it really matter if I supply the reverse polarity? What will happen? Will it just not work, or do I risk damaging the camera?

Anyone who has the Canon ACK800 adapter can easily determine what the output polarity is. I even tried to find an ACK800 in a store, thinking I could just check it out with a voltmeter, but they're only available online or by mail.

Can somebody please help. Thank you all.

[etaf]

i have searched around for this on/off over last few days and cannot find an answer on the web - You are going to need someone to put a volmeter on the powersupply and see what polarity it is.

[Elvandil]

Does the camera have an internal rechargeable battery? If so, you can check the polarity on the pins that recharge the battery with the power supply connected and the camera powered off. Of course, that would require that you know which pins were which on the battery itself, and sometimes those are poorly marked.

And just to be on the safe side, I'd use a lower-then-usual voltage for the test.