This evening I told she who shall not be named to turn on the fountain, which she duly did. Only problem was the lights were flashing, not changing colour like they should. That can only mean the powersupply for the lights is failing (2nd one in less than a week, other one was for CCTV cameras) Not the best thing to do, change a powersupply outside in the dark, even with a head torch, but it's done now, but I am more at why two powersupplies in a week.
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Not to mention the hard drive in my DVR has failed. Changing that, while you read this.
Above are my opinions Below is my signature.
Would you hit a nail with a shoe because you don't have a hammer? of course not, then why work on anything electrical without a means of testing Click Here to buy a "tester" just because it works, does NOT mean it is safe.
Generic make, demand less than an amp on each power supply. Both were rated at 3 amps, one was 2 years old, the other just over 3 years old. Just bad luck I guess, but both in the same week, that's annoying.
Above are my opinions Below is my signature.
Would you hit a nail with a shoe because you don't have a hammer? of course not, then why work on anything electrical without a means of testing Click Here to buy a "tester" just because it works, does NOT mean it is safe.
Probably the usual dud capacitor (cheapo models use 85C capacitors when they should use 105C versions - the units 'work' but they don't work for long).
buy cheap buy twice, used to be true, as most stuff comes from the same factory what can you do?
I recently got some kit from a well known online component supplier as they are "good quality and don't sell rubbish" The good thing about the company was the returns policy, all units failed in one way or another within two days, they paid for collection and I got complete refund.
I even got some electronic components from them (same reasoning) they were exactly the same as the ones I got from ebay, even down to the "packing bag" (for want of a better description)
To me it seems to be a sad fact of life, most electronic stuff falls partly into the "buy cheap buy twice" category, but there is no one else selling the stuff, unless you know better?
I have a couple of chinese made power supplies (different style, not suitable for other use) and I am not sure how old they are, as they are still working, I really believe its down to luck.
Above are my opinions Below is my signature.
Would you hit a nail with a shoe because you don't have a hammer? of course not, then why work on anything electrical without a means of testing Click Here to buy a "tester" just because it works, does NOT mean it is safe.
Luck doesn't (or shouldn't) come into it but I understand the problems you face as the issue of cheap-chinese-tat versus 'named' products is a contentious issue right now. Utilising something not intended for the actual job often works well though i.e. in your particular case a power supply from a reliable computer range (an old Asus computer for example) would do a better job.
You can get them second hand or new - one of the latest 'fads' for those into high output reliable power supplies are ex-server (PC) power units where you can get a 12V output in powers up to 100A or more for around £20/£30. Obviously the SMALLEST of those power units will be enough to power just about anything you can think of.
I use an old PC power unit for 5V and 12V supplies in my workshop for 'ever' and it's never failed.
That can only mean the powersupply for the lights is failing (2nd one in less than a week, other one was for CCTV cameras) Not the best thing to do, change a powersupply outside in the dark, even with a head torch, but it's done now, but I am more 
at why two powersupplies in a week.
If gloom had a voice, it would be me.
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