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Long Shot - anyone found an extension cable for the wi-fi extender power supply?

Manc_Biker
Contributor
Contributor

I need to move one of my extenders to a spot where there are no plug sockets available. My thought was to simply buy an extension cable for the power supply. But it turns out that every extension cable I found has a 5.5mm barrel connection, whereas EE have decided to use a larger size, possibly 6.5mm. Finding one that size has proved to be impossible so far, even on obscure Chinese websites. 

 Not sure what else I could do really, but I want to get this extender better positioned if possible. Cheers

5 REPLIES 5
tnj
Skilled Contributor
Skilled Contributor

Why not use a mains extensions cable?

Because basically I want to move it further down a long hallway. That means leaving an extension cable plug end lying on the floor, which would be a nuisance to be honest 🙂 if I could extend the thinner psu cable I could just pin that neatly along the skirting board. 

x91
Visitor

Are you sure it is the barrel length that is the problem?  Even if the plug is a bit shorter, it doesn't usually cause a problem.  Usually it is the internal diameter that causes issues.  Usually they are 3.0mm, 2.5mm or 2.1mm  You can check that with metric drill bits.  If a 3 doesn't fit try a 2.5  If that doesn't fit it's a 2.1mm.  Unfortunately, leads with a 3mm are very hard to get.  CPC Farnell was the last place I saw selling them.

Deva89
Investigator
Investigator

The easiest option is not to extend the small barrel power cable at all.
Instead, just use a normal mains extension lead and plug the extender’s power adapter into that. Then you can place the extender wherever you want.
Those barrel connectors can be tricky because many extensions are 5.5mm, and if EE are using a slightly larger one it’s really hard to find a matching cable. Extending the mains side avoids that problem completely and keeps everything using the original adapter.
Simple and usually the cheapest solution as well. 🙂

Manc_Biker
Contributor
Contributor

@x91  It's tye actual width of the plug/barrel. The extension leads are 5.5mm width and I bought one just to check, but the EE plug is wider so no chance of it fitting. I've really had a good look on various sites now and can't find anything suitable. 

@Deva89 It's just a pain doing it that way because I'd be left with the extension lead plug end on the floor with the psu plugged in, and in a narrow hallway, especially at night, it would be a nuisance, especially if I tripped on it. I've tried to find an extension with a slim socket end that might mount on the wall, but can't find anything suitable. 

 I think my best option is to get an electrician to fit a new plug socket actually into the wall itself.