Question on laptop power adapter

[Tash]

I have an extra power adapter from an old laptop. I'd like to know if I can use it safely on the laptop I now have. The power adapter that came with the laptop I'm now using outputs 18.5vdc and 2.7A the other one says 18.5vdc and 3.5A LPS. They have the same polarity. Is it ok to use?

 

[PCHPlayer]

I don't know, but why risk it. You can probably pick up a second power adapter for about $20.

 

[corkyg]

It would be a rare coincidence if the connectors were identical. The risk does not justify the means.

 

[Tash]

Thanks for the replies, but I already tried it and it seem to work. I forgot to mention that both are from fairly recent Compac laptops and the connectors are the same. I searched for another post that asked the same question and it said that amperage does not matter as long as you are not going lower than the demand. Amps are a capacity and are only drawn as needed by the device. I hope I've got that right, else I've fried my machine.

Thanks again.

 

[tdowning]

it does seem contrary to the trend, (in all cases I have seen personally, newer laptops require higher amperages) but in a nutshell, It's like the 20 Amp service I have in my corner of the basement. I am not using all of those amps, but they are there If i really need them, and having them there doesn't pose a real risk. I suppose it's in the same vein as overbuying a PSU for your computer, the fact that your psu handles 400 watts doesn't harm anything if the PC only uses 200 watts.

 

[boshuter]

it will work fine....