Thinkpads Forum

What's the deal with these AC adapters? I have resorted to putting my AC adapter on a coaster because I believe it might scorch the surface of the table. Is this due to poor design on Lenovo's part? It definitely doesn't seem like it would be very efficient, because it must lose quite a bit of energy in the form of thermal interchange with the environment.

But, most importantly, are these new adapters a fire hazard? If my adapter is getting this hot in the winter, I can't imagine how it will be in the summer.

Extremely hot adapter is not acceptable, call IBM Support Center at 1-800-426-7378 (24/7)! and request a replacement provided your machine is still under warranty.

Practice the following tips:

Lenovo: Tips to help you use your personal computer safety.

AC Adapter can also malfunction due to frequent chair or other objects rolling over its power cord.

ryengineer wrote:Extremely hot adapter is not acceptable, call IBM Support Center at 1-800-426-7378 (24/7)! and request a replacement provided your machine is still under warranty.

Practice the following tips:

Lenovo: Tips to help you use your personal computer safety.

AC Adapter can also malfunction due to frequent chair or other objects rolling over its power cord.

Thank you, ryengineer! I'm not sure if I am overreacting, because I heard people in the past complaining about these adapters getting much hotter than other adapters for older Thinkpads, like the X2* or T4* series.

I will definitely measure the temperature next time my battery starts charging, but I would say that it might be about 140F perhaps. Anyone can comment about that? Am I overreacting? My last Thinkpad was a T42, and the adapter was much cooler, but maybe this temperature is normal for these new adapters?

When I still had the X60s, the AC adapter did not quite warm compared with T42 when charging battery. I didn't have tools to measure the exact temperature though. It was not hot to touch for sure. Room temperature was around 25'C during summer time.

What you're describing is abnormal. I have two AC adapters for the x60s. One is plugged in all the time and it barely feels warm, even when the computer is running on it. The other I use when I'm away from home, and it never gets warm (except in the warm summer environment) - it's always cool to the touch.

I'd call and tell them you think you have a defective AC adapter.

I don't know if its the same, but the adapter for my X61s only gets a little warm, no where close to uncomfortable to touch or hot enough to worry about.

Thanks a lot for your advice, guys! I will probably be calling Lenovo to have my adapter exchanged. For what it's worth, I have only used the adapter so far while both running the computer and charging the 8 cell battery. I know it's supposed to run hotter under those conditions, but I think it is running too hot. I might measure the temperatures before I have it replaced.

Also, this issue of very hot X6* adapters gets discussed extensively in a couple of previous threads (this is what gave me the idea that this might be normal):

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=46899

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=30838

Regards,

Ruben