PYLW

I've owned an Acer 3690 notebook since December...I give it pretty decently heavy usage. Today out of nowhere, the laptop's AC Adaptor/Charger wire stopped working out of nowhere. I tried fiddling with it and moving it around, and have gotten no such luck. The outlet on my wall works, so it has to be the adaptor wire itself. Do they overheat or stop working due to major use, after a while? If so, are you able to replace them?

Thanks, hope to hear some answers to this problem...

TheMatt

It could be either that or the DC jack on the laptop. Do you have a multimeter you can use to test the laptop power supply?

PYLW

No, I don't at all. Any other ideas?

It's weird, it works when I twist the wire in a certain position, but I have to keep it in that position, which is a pain. I think it's the Adaptor, if it were a problem in the laptop itself, it probably wouldn't turn on at all, right? I don't know, I am not a computer expert, I just use this for internet purposes really.

Thanks to whomever answers.

TheMatt

Either way you will experience the same symptoms. It will run off battery but not charge or run off AC power. It sounds like you are correct in that is the power supply and not the laptop.

Do you have a friend who has a multimeter? What about an adapter that puts out the same voltage and at least the same wattage?

PYLW

Hey Matt,

My friend has a few adaptors, and I'm looking to see if he has any that match the wattage of mine. Thanks for the responses. :)

TheMatt

Remember it has to match the voltage - not the wattage. The wattage can be equal or greater but not lower. The voltage must be the same however.

PYLW

My bad, that's what I meant. :)

DonaldG

That is the big clue to what the problem is. it is the classic symptom af broken conductors. The power supply itself is OK.

Over the period that you have had the unit, you have moved the cable/wire many, many times.

The wires are made from copper. Copper 'work hardens' and becomes brittle. eventually the individual strands of copper in a wire bundle will fracture with metal (copper) fatigue.

You will probably find that the break is situated at a point of most flexing. Probably at the point where the wire enters the PSU or at the other end.

You dont mention which cable is the faulty one - the AC power one or the wire that goes to the computer - my guess is that it is the one that goes to the computer.

If you know of a radio ham or an electronics buff, he should be able to sort it out relatively easily.

That said, a new PSU does not cost a huge amount..

Cheers
Donald G3YPL/exZL1AZC

TheMatt

Good point. If it is between the wall and power supply you can simply get another cable as they are standard. If it is between the power supply and computer you can get anothe power supply or simply solder it back together. The trouble with that though is finding the correct spot to strip the wire. Once it is stripped soldering it should be fairly easy.

DonaldG

My bet is that it in the DC low voltage cable where it enters the psu.

I used to run an RT servicing workshop - the fractures from copper embrittlement were ALWAYS at the point at were the cable is tethered (At the plug end or most likely at the point where it enters the PSU block. )

If it is at the psu block end, then the block will require opening to replace the cable. There will not be enough 'pigtail' to snip and solder.

I don't know of any laptop psu block that is easily opened. Its probably RF welded together! I'm sure that you have seen the big lie - no user servicable parts!

I usually use a very sharp knife and cut i'em open, do the repair then reseal it with plastic adhesive (available from plumbers supply shop). Definately not recommended for any one not familier with nasty voltages!

DonaldG

I forgot to comment: twisting the wire like you have will push the bundle of fractured wires into each other, thereby connecting the circuit temperarily.