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| Thread ID: 50463 | 2004-10-21 06:36:00 | Laptop Power AC question | vekon (5911) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 283325 | 2004-10-21 06:36:00 | Hi there! Well, I recently bought a secondhand older laptop in AS IS condition. As mentioned in the advert for this laptop that it had faulty power unit. When i got the goods, i found that the power unit wasn't the original one. The strange thing is that it still powers up but only so far. The adapter says SEC: 15VDC 1A (output?). On bottom of laptop it says: DC rating: 19V 2.4A What actually happens is that when ever I try to get into Windows, it just turns off. I thought it was a windows problem until I tried installing the OS from scratch. It won't even do a scandisk check without turning off. I don't really know much about power units and how they work. Would there be some kind of sensor in the laptop? or in the adapter? By the way the latop is an Texas Intruments 610CD (Acer seems to be the actaul dealer when I search on the net about it). Thanks for any comments or advice for future reference :) :) |
vekon (5911) | ||
| 283326 | 2004-10-21 07:00:00 | I am surprised it even fires up with a 15v, 1 amp PSU. It is designed for 19v (as are most laptops) and the lower voltage and limited current availability just will not work. The computer is turning off because it senses that the input voltage has dropped too low. Its a protection mechanism. Simple answer, feed it with 19v, and make sure the adapter can supply 2.4 amps. To even try with the lower voltage and current risks OS damage if it powers down while file saving, if it ever got that far. That adapter is unlikely to be able to be modified. |
godfather (25) | ||
| 283327 | 2004-10-22 00:05:00 | The maximum current is drawn when the system is running and recharging a flat battery. 15 volts is a bit marginal, but the 19V is usually to give plenty of margin for charging a "14.4" V LiIon. The computer will work on less. I use some "19V" laptops from lead-acid gel batteries using a kitset booster. It's set to give 16.5V, and runs the laptops perfectly. It reaches its input current limit when the battery gets to about 11V. But the batteries have been removed, so there's no charging current. ;-) You can buy mains power units from Jaycars and DSE, but they're not particularly cheap. |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 283328 | 2004-10-22 00:14:00 | I made a power supply, for running a laptop in the office. A 4.5 amp regulated supply. It was a Toshiba laptop, and it simply refused to power up unless the voltage was above 17 volts. Some are fussier than others it seems. |
godfather (25) | ||
| 283329 | 2004-10-22 00:17:00 | One very old Tandy which was supposed to get 16V worked straight off a gel battery at 13.8-11.5 V :D | Graham L (2) | ||
| 283330 | 2004-10-22 03:56:00 | I went to dick smith's and looked around but the highest Volt there was 18V on one and 24 upwards but non that match 19V with 2.4amp. What should I look for that would make the computer work well enough to use? would using a higher voltage make it damaged? would it have to be the amp of 2.4? i don't need battery as it is almost flat. thanks again for your coments :) :) |
vekon (5911) | ||
| 283331 | 2004-10-22 04:13:00 | It should work fine on 18v, and ideally you need at least 2.4 amps. It does not matter if the current capacity is higher than 2.4 amps You do not want 24 volt though. 18 or 19 is fine. These devices are not cheap. I hope the laptop was! |
godfather (25) | ||
| 283332 | 2004-10-22 10:59:00 | Thanks. I'm glad i didn't have to pay much for the laptop. Its older but it a good price even with the problems it has (not toooo serious though). Payed about $50 odd for it. Including CD rom and 40megs ram etc... i think pretty good for older laptop.. its mainly going to be used email etc.. thanks. I may try the 18V adapter (just make sure I check Amp rating again to be sure). Cheers. |
vekon (5911) | ||
| 283333 | 2004-10-23 01:11:00 | Your best buy could be the DSE XH5109 Asus supply: 19V, 2.65A at $107. If you're not in Manukau or Invercargill, you'll need to get it from the Online Shop.You might also need to get a different connector at the computer end, but that won't cost much. Otherwise, Jaycar's MP3245 is 19V, 3.16A but it's $169-95. |
Graham L (2) | ||
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