Reverse Polarity

[Ben Steele]

Hi all,

I have a question reguarding reverse polarity! Does it have a detrimental effect on the current circuit?

For example, if you put a different branded battery in a makita radio and it worked fine but you had to turn the battery upside down for it to fit, would this harm the radio as the polarity will be reversed?

Very easy solution i know, just interested to know the answer if anyone knows. :crazy:

Many Thanks

Ben

 

[PEG]

Hi,You are likely to have issues as you are talking about DC outputs.These are fussy on non resistive components found in your radio.Bulbs and resistors wont mind but anything with a diode,triac ets would not be happy!This is why polarity terminology differs between AC (phase/live and neutral) and DC(positive and negative) - but,if its the plasterers radio,jam it in,see what happens! :heart:

 

[Ben Steele]

I thought so...

Haha, cheers mate! Frustrating really, oh well there goes another £200 then, Doh! Better to be safe though hey, thanks for your help.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Hi Ben, Where the original Makita battery used a 'keyed socket' to ensure it is always connected in the correct polarity, forcing another type of battery into the socket in reverse polarity may have destroyed vulnerable electronic devices in the radio circuit. However, try the radio with the original battery, because well designed electronic circuitry is usually diode protected as a fail-safe to prevent unintentional reverse polarity destroying the electronics; you just may get lucky with your Makita radio.

 

[Ben Steele]

Oh bugger! Well I hope I haven't caused to much damage! It wasn't even a case of forcing the battery as all NICD's are the same size! However, if you turn it upside down then its a perfect fit!
I thought if it wasn't ment for that devise then it simply wouldn't fit know matter what! Oh well, the damage is done now! I'll wait for my others to arrive and see what happens...
Thanks for your help