Hi,
@tautech
I think JaredKat asking if it's sensible to replace several plugpacks with a single beefier one.
@JaredKat
All those plugpacks for each and every bit of consumer gear seem wasteful
but let me please explain why I don't see a viable alternative.
Ideally, we'd have low-voltage DC from dedicated DC wall warts.
That'd be one beefy SMPS from 110/220V to 48V (like PoE) or to 12V (as you desire).
As tautech pointed out, there might be need for per-load regulation after the beefy converter.
Let's assume it's NOT needed for the sake of simplicity.
So the question is... Will this single beefy converter be more efficient?
Plugpacks, in theory, are not that bad. Manufacturers should pick the right one in terms of current draw.
Their operating points, ideally, should be "no load" or "optimal load" on average.
Losses should be quite low there.
I think, in one of Dave's videos, he showed us the efficiency curve of a DC/DC converter (from the data sheet).
The SMPS' should look quite similar.
Now, if you know the total average current draw of all your 12V devices you can go build a SMPS of your own. It might also be more efficient than those plugpacks in total.
However, when you change the load on your converter, you might be less efficient.
To sum up...
- you can build a converter which is matched to one load (plugpack)
- you can't build a universal converter that's say 95% efficient with every load (single beefy converter)
So several load-optimized plugpacks can well outperform a beefier non-optimal converter.
Will you build a new converter every time you change the load (buying more consumer electronics)
Also, per-load regulation would further reduce overall efficiency.
Hope you're not too disappointed with my response.
I can't give you any real numbers here, just thoughts.