Can you use a different power supply if you don’t have a DIRECTV EPS10?

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DIRECTV’s EPS10 power supply has been around for about a decade. It premiered with the company’s H25 receiver but is now used for pretty much every box except for the HS17 Genie 2. Whether you have an original C31 or the latest Gemini, this is the power adapter for you.

If yours breaks or you need another one, you can get one from Solid Signal. But let’s say for whatever reason you don’t want to do that. Maybe you have a bucket full of power supplies from other stuff and you want to use one of them. Can you?

It’s all about the specs

There’s a sticker on the EPS10 power supply that tells you everything you need to know. If you have a power supply that meets these requirements, it will work. Let’s go through them one by one.

First, this is a US power supply so it’s going to accept 110-120 volts. If the power supply you have exceeds this (for example if it says 110-240 volts) that’s ok. In fact if you’re outside the country you can get a power supply with a different plug and use it as well.

The output is 12 volts DC with a maximum draw of 1.5 amps. You want to make sure the power supply gives you exactly 12 volts, no more and no less. However, the maximum draw can be higher than 1.5 amps and the device will only take what it needs.

The connector to attach to the DIRECTV box has a center pin and a sleeve 5mm in outer diameter. The DIRECTV power supply plug is 10mm long but you can use a longer one as long as it’s 10mm or longer. The center pin is positive and the sleeve is negative.

Honestly, if you have any power supply that meets all these specs, you can use it.

Those folks on boats

This is something especially important for folks who want to take DIRECTV equipment on their boats. A lot of boats are wired with 220 volt power and European style plugs. In order to use DIRECTV equipment you need an expensive inverter that will stand up to long-term use. Just using one like you would use for a hair dryer won’t cut it, as it will stop working after a short time to cool down.

Want to know more?

If you have any questions about satellite TV, whether it’s for home, business, RV, or even your boat, call the experts at Solid Signal! We’re here for you during East Coast business hours. The number is 888-233-7563. When you call, you’ll get an expert in our Detroit area offices who can answer all your questions. Give us a try! Call, or if it’s after hours fill out the form below.

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About the Author

Stuart Sweet
Stuart Sweet is the editor-in-chief of The Solid Signal Blog and a "master plumber" at Signal Group, LLC. He is the author of over 10,000 articles and longform tutorials including many posted here. Reach him by clicking on "Contact the Editor" at the bottom of this page.