Power supplies was RE: New Classic Finds and etc. (Long)

I think the confusion here is between regulated power supplies (which are the only true power supplies as far as many list members are concerned :-) and unregulated - typically "plug-top"/"wall wart" items. For the former what matters is that the voltage is correct, the current available is at least that required, and (for some designs) that the load is in range for the regulation to work properly. For the latter, the nominal voltage is general only accurate if the current drawn is close to the nominal current. For this sort drawing 500mA from a 2A psu may well allow the voltage to rise significantly. For your phone, however, it is likely something else has gone wrong as phones that take a 12v psu typically can use a car battery which can go up to 14v (at more current that you want to know about!) Andy