Comments on: Powerbook 65W AC Adapter Repair http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/ TheAppleBlog, published by and for the day-to-day Apple user, is a prominent source for news, reviews, walkthroughs, and real life application of all Apple products. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:25:42 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Andrea http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-63620 Andrea Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:59:36 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-63620 I've had two chargers short out and fry on me, sparks and smoke and all, and with a simple phone call to Apple explaining my problem they sent me out a new part free of charge. It is a problem and while they are aware of it and should fix it, they do replace parts that are flawed to this degree of danger without hassle. I’ve had two chargers short out and fry on me, sparks and smoke and all, and with a simple phone call to Apple explaining my problem they sent me out a new part free of charge. It is a problem and while they are aware of it and should fix it, they do replace parts that are flawed to this degree of danger without hassle.

]]> By: viper http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-58379 viper Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:11:43 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-58379 I bought a 65w charger from ebay for 13.86 from Hong Kong (free shipping). It took 15 days to arrive, but the darn thing was EXACTLY Apples replacement part with Apple logos, copyrights, etc...! Either he has a connection with the chinese manufacturer or he makes a great knock off. The bad part was that the port on the powerbook was dented/bent... and the charger wouldn't work. I suspected that the plug wasn't going in deep enough so I cut off the clear plastic ring on the plug (the part that lights up). This allowed the plug to penetrate about 1/16" deeper and IT WORKS! I bought a 65w charger from ebay for 13.86 from Hong Kong (free shipping). It took 15 days to arrive, but the darn thing was EXACTLY Apples replacement part with Apple logos, copyrights, etc…! Either he has a connection with the chinese manufacturer or he makes a great knock off. The bad part was that the port on the powerbook was dented/bent… and the charger wouldn’t work. I suspected that the plug wasn’t going in deep enough so I cut off the clear plastic ring on the plug (the part that lights up). This allowed the plug to penetrate about 1/16″ deeper and IT WORKS!

]]> By: mulder http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-54913 mulder Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:48:31 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-54913 Going back to my replacement adapter - there is one problem with it, it doesn't have enough RF interference suppression, so screws any chance of listening to weak radio stations on FM radio whilst using it. I haven't had any problems with it killing my battery yet though, that might be because I unplug it once charged and don't reconnect until the battery is in the red. Going back to my replacement adapter – there is one problem with it, it doesn’t have enough RF interference suppression, so screws any chance of listening to weak radio stations on FM radio whilst using it. I haven’t had any problems with it killing my battery yet though, that might be because I unplug it once charged and don’t reconnect until the battery is in the red.

]]> By: eric http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-54902 eric Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:44:12 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-54902 Yesterday my second Apple PSU took a dump (which I only had for 4 weeks, the first one I was fortunate enough to have it for 5 years until I noticed smoke and sparks). Living in Europe you pay an arm and a leg as well and then some from one of the "authorized" Apple stores, so my girlfriend found this blog and I decided to give it a shot and crack open the first one. The short was just below the casing, and with no electrical experience, no soldering tool, and desperate to get back online, we decided NOT to take any chances with the same damaged unit (if it was repaired by me). It would just happen again eventually and worse scenario, possibly fry my G4 PB or burn the house down. So we figured best to just look for a replacement. She found a wholesaler online next day selling laptop adapters and luckily they sold Apple replacement units with stronger cables. They were nearby and I just went to pick it up. It's similar to this one I found below which I hope might be helpful to those in the states, or you can just Google search something like, "Apple laptop adapter 65w replacement". This one sells for $21.95: http://www.usa-battery.net/apple-powerbookibook-g4-ac-power-adapter-65w-a1021-p-498.html Save yourself the hassle and just pay less for a replacement. Just make sure it's the correct adapter for your type of laptop. Good luck ;) Yesterday my second Apple PSU took a dump (which I only had for 4 weeks, the first one I was fortunate enough to have it for 5 years until I noticed smoke and sparks).

Living in Europe you pay an arm and a leg as well and then some from one of the “authorized” Apple stores, so my girlfriend found this blog and I decided to give it a shot and crack open the first one. The short was just below the casing, and with no electrical experience, no soldering tool, and desperate to get back online, we decided NOT to take any chances with the same damaged unit (if it was repaired by me). It would just happen again eventually and worse scenario, possibly fry my G4 PB or burn the house down. So we figured best to just look for a replacement.

She found a wholesaler online next day selling laptop adapters and luckily they sold Apple replacement units with stronger cables. They were nearby and I just went to pick it up. It’s similar to this one I found below which I hope might be helpful to those in the states, or you can just Google search something like, “Apple laptop adapter 65w replacement”. This one sells for $21.95:

http://www.usa-battery.net/apple-powerbookibook-g4-ac-power-adapter-65w-a1021-p-498.html

Save yourself the hassle and just pay less for a replacement. Just make sure it’s the correct adapter for your type of laptop. Good luck ;)

]]> By: Joanna http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-52979 Joanna Sat, 01 Aug 2009 23:49:40 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-52979 I just purchased my first MacBook. I plugged it in following apple's directive in the book that comes with it (I've had a used StinkPad for years, so I just wanted the novelty of reading what they recommend for plugging in) and it states to plug into the outlet first, and the machine second. That said, the first thing that happened was it sparked at the wall/prongs. This laptop is 2 WEEKS old!! Battery is fresh out, so I need to power up but I'm terrified of the thing. I am not electrically-minded at all, so should i just get a new one, under warranty? This forum starts in 2005-ish. Is now mid-2009. Can anyone tell me if these white psu's have improved at all in the last four years? Should I just always use the (very odd) three-pronged, grounded cable extender that came with the machine as a "safer" option? Even so, I'd still need the brick in the wall. Love the machines, hate the power supply. I just purchased my first MacBook. I plugged it in following apple’s directive in the book that comes with it (I’ve had a used StinkPad for years, so I just wanted the novelty of reading what they recommend for plugging in) and it states to plug into the outlet first, and the machine second. That said, the first thing that happened was it sparked at the wall/prongs. This laptop is 2 WEEKS old!! Battery is fresh out, so I need to power up but I’m terrified of the thing. I am not electrically-minded at all, so should i just get a new one, under warranty? This forum starts in 2005-ish. Is now mid-2009. Can anyone tell me if these white psu’s have improved at all in the last four years? Should I just always use the (very odd) three-pronged, grounded cable extender that came with the machine as a “safer” option? Even so, I’d still need the brick in the wall. Love the machines, hate the power supply.

]]> By: LOL http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-51909 LOL Sat, 25 Jul 2009 05:16:31 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-51909 "...just like new, sort of..." LOL!! I just bought a used replacement off Craigslist for $40! Woohoo! Now i'm going to try to crack the old one open and solder some ish together!! Wish me luck. “…just like new, sort of…” LOL!! I just bought a used replacement off Craigslist for $40! Woohoo! Now i’m going to try to crack the old one open and solder some ish together!! Wish me luck.

]]> By: mulder http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-48614 mulder Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:58:03 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-48614 This happened to me only last weekend. I was lucky not to have burned the house down, especially as I've had the adapter plugged in all the time since I got the Mac second hand from my friend and it's been sat on the carpet under my desk. Months back I had a spark fly out of the mains socket (UK 240v) whilst I was plugging the adapter in but I thought it was fine as it still worked. Later, I noticed some kind of loose connection (which was actually a short circuit as I now know) near the adapter as I wasn't getting any power from it. I was going to buy a new adaptor anyway, but thought this was safe in the mean time. Oh how wrong! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbUxBI8-flY That's not me, but some guy who's obviously not scared of tempting fate. Shows you how dangerous they can be. Anyway, got on of these - http://www.amazon.co.uk/65W-Apple-Replacement-including-PowerBook/dp/B0018QSQ06 - which is working fine. However, I have heard that unofficial PSUs can screw your battery up. Is this true? At any rate, it seems this £17 one is much safer than the official one at £32. This happened to me only last weekend. I was lucky not to have burned the house down, especially as I’ve had the adapter plugged in all the time since I got the Mac second hand from my friend and it’s been sat on the carpet under my desk. Months back I had a spark fly out of the mains socket (UK 240v) whilst I was plugging the adapter in but I thought it was fine as it still worked. Later, I noticed some kind of loose connection (which was actually a short circuit as I now know) near the adapter as I wasn’t getting any power from it. I was going to buy a new adaptor anyway, but thought this was safe in the mean time. Oh how wrong! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbUxBI8-flY That’s not me, but some guy who’s obviously not scared of tempting fate. Shows you how dangerous they can be.

Anyway, got on of these – http://www.amazon.co.uk/65W-Apple-Replacement-including-PowerBook/dp/B0018QSQ06 – which is working fine. However, I have heard that unofficial PSUs can screw your battery up. Is this true? At any rate, it seems this £17 one is much safer than the official one at £32.

]]> By: What? http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-44319 What? Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:28:24 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-44319 Wacko (comment #192), you're a nut. So I purchased another adapter after mine started smoking and sparking. I don't think mine's fixable. However, I noted that this new adapter doesn't get as warm, and isn't exactly like my old 65W adapter. My old apple branded adapter that came with my Powerbook G4 1.25 GHz, says it's made by Celetron and has the following markings: Apple Japan Input: AC 100-240V 50/60 Hz 1.5A Output: 24.5V --- 2.65A This new adapter that I purchased is made by Delta Electronics (Thailand) Public and has the following markings: Apple Japan Input: AC 100-240V 50-60 Hz 127-182VA Output: 24.5V --- 2.65A AC Input: 1.5A ADP-65GB V85 The two adapters are similar size and shape, however the new one has a two prong plug for the outlet in the wall (the old one had a three prong plug), and the cord that leads to the computer doesn't have a stress relief cover, rather the cord is thinner and just snakes out of a hole in the adapter. I feel that this is the weakest point of the adapter (it's the part that came apart on my old one. Is there some way to fix this ahead of time, like adding some kind of stress relief to the cord itself so it has less of a chance of the insulation breaking? I probably won't use the flip up tabs and wind the cord around them since this probably generates more stress to the cord over time. Hopefully this adapter won't go like the other one, a puff of smoke and sparks. Does anyone know of the history of these adapters (like when Apple switched companies/makers)? Thanks for the site. Wacko (comment #192), you’re a nut.

So I purchased another adapter after mine started smoking and sparking. I don’t think mine’s fixable.

However, I noted that this new adapter doesn’t get as warm, and isn’t exactly like my old 65W adapter.
My old apple branded adapter that came with my Powerbook G4 1.25 GHz, says it’s made by Celetron and has the following markings:
Apple Japan Input: AC 100-240V 50/60 Hz
1.5A Output: 24.5V — 2.65A

This new adapter that I purchased is made by Delta Electronics (Thailand) Public and has the following markings:
Apple Japan Input: AC 100-240V 50-60 Hz
127-182VA Output: 24.5V — 2.65A
AC Input: 1.5A ADP-65GB V85

The two adapters are similar size and shape, however the new one has a two prong plug for the outlet in the wall (the old one had a three prong plug), and the cord that leads to the computer doesn’t have a stress relief cover, rather the cord is thinner and just snakes out of a hole in the adapter. I feel that this is the weakest point of the adapter (it’s the part that came apart on my old one.

Is there some way to fix this ahead of time, like adding some kind of stress relief to the cord itself so it has less of a chance of the insulation breaking? I probably won’t use the flip up tabs and wind the cord around them since this probably generates more stress to the cord over time.

Hopefully this adapter won’t go like the other one, a puff of smoke and sparks. Does anyone know of the history of these adapters (like when Apple switched companies/makers)?

Thanks for the site.

]]> By: Wacko http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-44273 Wacko Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:16:14 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-44273 You know, I followed your advice, and in the end I got my adapter working! Thanks for the pics. You may want to add something though. The first time I was fixing it I neglected to unplug it from the wall, and I caught fire! After my burns healed, I tried again and suceeded. Please mention to people that they *have* to unplug the adapter from the wall before they start the fix! Thanks again! You know, I followed your advice, and in the end I got my adapter working! Thanks for the pics. You may want to add something though. The first time I was fixing it I neglected to unplug it from the wall, and I caught fire! After my burns healed, I tried again and suceeded. Please mention to people that they *have* to unplug the adapter from the wall before they start the fix! Thanks again!

]]> By: Eric Ottinger http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-43167 Eric Ottinger Tue, 26 May 2009 05:43:12 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-43167 I have two adapters, both of which broke/shorted just behind the plug that goes into the laptop. One, I amazingly got replaced for free by Apple even though it was out of warranty. The other I cut into trying to repair but mangled it. SO, I have a good brick that would just need to have the laptop plug spliced onto the cord if anyone is interested in it. Eric I have two adapters, both of which broke/shorted just behind the plug that goes into the laptop. One, I amazingly got replaced for free by Apple even though it was out of warranty. The other I cut into trying to repair but mangled it. SO, I have a good brick that would just need to have the laptop plug spliced onto the cord if anyone is interested in it.

Eric

]]> By: Make money http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-41934 Make money Wed, 13 May 2009 18:20:45 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-41934 After reading this, I think I should get active with repairing stuffs even though I don't know what I am doing. After reading this, I think I should get active with repairing stuffs even though I don’t know what I am doing.

]]> By: Juno42 http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-38047 Juno42 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 06:34:22 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-38047 Firstly, thank you all for your input on everyone's questions. I have a slightly new one. I broke the male plug bit on my MacBook AC adapter, and have used an alternate power cord for it like this: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHxvyCFvl-0" rel="nofollow">Here</a>. This has been working. But today I get home, and the rest of the widget is not working. I have tried assorted outlets which I know to work. I have tried other two-prong cords which I know to work. I can detect no fault in the cord joints, but it's hard to be sure, with those plastic sleeves, and I don't want to break the thing further by digging into it. Considering going to the Applestore and bitching a bit, I heard if there is no apparent damage that they may replace the thing for you. But it was working with that radio cord. Would they accept it as non-accidental damage if the problem lies with something other than the different cord? (Perhaps if I try it on another adapter and it works, it'll prove that.) Firstly, thank you all for your input on everyone’s questions. I have a slightly new one. I broke the male plug bit on my MacBook AC adapter, and have used an alternate power cord for it like this: Here. This has been working. But today I get home, and the rest of the widget is not working. I have tried assorted outlets which I know to work. I have tried other two-prong cords which I know to work. I can detect no fault in the cord joints, but it’s hard to be sure, with those plastic sleeves, and I don’t want to break the thing further by digging into it.

Considering going to the Applestore and bitching a bit, I heard if there is no apparent damage that they may replace the thing for you. But it was working with that radio cord. Would they accept it as non-accidental damage if the problem lies with something other than the different cord? (Perhaps if I try it on another adapter and it works, it’ll prove that.)

]]> By: dave id http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-34872 dave id Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:45:32 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-34872 Thanks everyone, especially Tony for starting this blog. i suffered exactly the same symptoms as you lot, intermittent power, smoke and sparks leading to eventual total failure and semi-panic. These psu's are not easy things to find these days, in Europe (France) -people want to sell you replacements sure, but only the modern units: "what...you're still running a 5 year old laptop, are you mad?" Well no i don't think so, just not made of money, and not mad enough to waste it on faulty products if i did have it...thank you. So you all gave me encouragement to try a self-fix. And it wasn't that tricky once the box is cracked, but then it still didn't work. Yup...you guessed it, the cable at the connector end into the computer had gone the same way...at the same time! Now those funky connectors are a bugger to strip and the wires require nifty micro-soldering onto a pcb within the plug, probably to drive the led ring. This whole deal is disastrous design with obvious penny pinching in favour of "look" over component durability. Fer chrissakes Apple, if anything is going to tarnish thy holy hard-worked for image, it's this kind of stuff. i now have a heavily taped-up, non-aesthetic looking, repaired power supply which i just know is going to last longer than the original, and love it. Thanks again Thanks everyone, especially Tony for starting this blog. i suffered exactly the same symptoms as you lot, intermittent power, smoke and sparks leading to eventual total failure and semi-panic. These psu’s are not easy things to find these days, in Europe (France) -people want to sell you replacements sure, but only the modern units: “what…you’re still running a 5 year old laptop, are you mad?” Well no i don’t think so, just not made of money, and not mad enough to waste it on faulty products if i did have it…thank you.
So you all gave me encouragement to try a self-fix. And it wasn’t that tricky once the box is cracked, but then it still didn’t work. Yup…you guessed it, the cable at the connector end into the computer had gone the same way…at the same time!
Now those funky connectors are a bugger to strip and the wires require nifty micro-soldering onto a pcb within the plug, probably to drive the led ring. This whole deal is disastrous design with obvious penny pinching in favour of “look” over component durability.
Fer chrissakes Apple, if anything is going to tarnish thy holy hard-worked for image, it’s this kind of stuff. i now have a heavily taped-up, non-aesthetic looking, repaired power supply which i just know is going to last longer than the original, and love it.
Thanks again

]]> By: zahir http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-31855 zahir Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:35:00 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-31855 Thanks to Amol K. (#99). Saved myself from breaking the unit apart. Got the cable knot moulded in that soft plastic plug at exit. cheers Thanks to Amol K. (#99). Saved myself from breaking the unit apart. Got the cable knot moulded in that soft plastic plug at exit. cheers

]]> By: zahir http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-31853 zahir Mon, 16 Feb 2009 07:55:50 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-31853 I don't think it's that bad when a charger turns faulty after 4 years of heavy handling and use. Mine's got a problem with the cable as it exits the adapter. So I'll pry the box open and reconnect the cable. Thanks so much for the help and discussions. I don’t think it’s that bad when a charger turns faulty after 4 years of heavy handling and use. Mine’s got a problem with the cable as it exits the adapter. So I’ll pry the box open and reconnect the cable. Thanks so much for the help and discussions.

]]> By: Lars http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-31841 Lars Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:38:16 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-31841 Thanks for the pointers. Just fixed one for my wife's macbook. I did however do a number on it getting it open. Lots of electrical tape holding it together now but at least it works. Cheers! Thanks for the pointers. Just fixed one for my wife’s macbook. I did however do a number on it getting it open. Lots of electrical tape holding it together now but at least it works. Cheers!

]]> By: johanne http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-30432 johanne Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:10:32 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-30432 in disassembling... its much better using a striping knife or cutter rather small screwdriver, hammering it with care using screw driver butt all the way the line... and put it back together with instant glue.. works for me , its clean as stock, and free from electrical tapes.. anyway thanks for this topic... in disassembling… its much better using a striping knife or cutter rather small screwdriver, hammering it with care using screw driver butt all the way the line… and put it back together with instant glue.. works for me , its clean as stock, and free from electrical tapes..

anyway thanks for this topic…

]]> By: edhardy http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-3185 edhardy Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:25:36 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-3185 <a href="http://www.samyibiz.com/" rel="nofollow">thanks for sharing!</a> thanks for sharing!<a href="http://www.samyibiz.com/" rel="nofollow">ed_hardy</a> thanks for sharing!
thanks for sharing!ed_hardy

]]> By: electronics http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-3184 electronics Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:52:34 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-3184 It seems you got a great fun during repair. Nice tip, but actually, if this adapter haven't specific specification, univercail adapter might be a good choice. It seems you got a great fun during repair. Nice tip, but actually, if this adapter haven’t specific specification, univercail adapter might be a good choice.

]]> By: John Paul Jones http://theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-3183 John Paul Jones Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:12:00 +0000 http://www.theappleblog.com/2005/08/13/powerbook-65w-ac-adaper-repair/#comment-3183 All I have to tell you geeks is we smoked a bunch of Meth and figured this shit out right away. We completed our repair with only items found locked with us in our bedroom. Trust me this baby is custom. All I have to tell you geeks is we smoked a bunch of Meth and figured this shit out right away. We completed our repair with only items found locked with us in our bedroom. Trust me this baby is custom.

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