Determing what type of laptop power connector you have

[Perryg114]

I am trying to find the correct power supply and connector for my Acer Timeline 3810 laptop. I ordered one off Ebay and the center pin hole is too big and the connection is erratic at best. Is there a chart somewhere that details what the different styles are? Why all the different connector styles when they are all 19V 3.4A for my size laptop. I mean all laptop power supplies are 19V so why all the different connectors?

The one that came with the laptop is a Delta ADP-65MH B

Another question is why do they things burn up so often? I would rather have a larger brick that won't burn up so fast but there again we have the connector issue. I guess I could splice my old connector into a newer supply. My wife's laptop and mine both have lost bricks this year.

Perry

 

[corkyg]

(1) Is there a chart somewhere that details what the different styles are? Why all the different connector styles when they are all 19V 3.4A for my size laptop. I mean all laptop power supplies are 19V so why all the different connectors?
(2) Another question is why do they things burn up so often? I would rather have a larger brick that won't burn up so fast but there again we have the connector issue.
(3)I guess I could splice my old connector into a newer supply.

(1) I have never seen such a chart. Each OEM has their own connector size. In general, I find the most durable are the biggest in size, i.e., Lenovo and Mac Book. My lenovos are 90 watts at 20 vdc. The wattage is key.

(2) Since my first notebook in 1996, I have had half a dozed, and have never had an AC adapter burn up. I would opine that might happen if the adapter's wattage was too low. The best thing is to stick with what comes with the unit.

(3) Splicing the good connector to a different adapter would be OK provided the different adapter met the electrical specs.

My experience is that connectors are sometimes damaged by the user yanking out the power cord and not grasping the connector, or someone tripping over it while plugged in.

 

[Perryg114]

Well I think the trend now days is to make the brick as small and light as possible so it tends to overheat. This is the first time I have had this kind of trouble. Acer and everything associated with it, is becoming one of my new four letter words.

Perry

 

[corkyg]

When I say "bigger is better" I'm referring to the connector, not the brick. The brick is nothing more than a transformer - AC to DC within a wide voltage range. My bricks are all about 2x5x1-in. The brick also has to dissipate heat, so, too small can be bad in brick size. I agree with your interpretation of Acer. Their biggest claim to fame is cheap.

 

[Lanyap]

It's best to order a "genuine" power adapter and not a cheap made knockoff. You run into QA problems with the knockoffs. Been there, done that.

 

[Perryg114]

Yeah tell me about it. I just fried a chip on my motherboard trying to adapt an aftermarket power supply to the OEM cable. This Acer is cursed. I think it can be fixed. Looks like a diode or resistor. Only thing good about an Acer is the make great Frisbees.

Perry

 

[Perryg114]

For some reason Acer has a bastard connector with tow rings on the outter barrel in addition to the center connector. A buddy fixed the blown diode. The problem is I don't know how the outter rings are wired. They are not wired together in the power supply nor in the laptop. Putting a standard power supply connector with only one outer connector causes the laptop to shut down. The display died on me earlier this year and then the power supply.

Perry