Power adapter rebuild

Older ThinkPads.. from the 600, the 7xx, the iSeries, 300, 500, the Transnote and, of course, the 701
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cure
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Power adapter rebuild

#1 Post by cure » Sat Sep 18, 2010 10:04 am

I have a growing pile of power adapters for the 600 series with cord problems. I have repaired one with a problem just below the tip, but the same problem quickly re-emerged as I failed to find a way of adequately surpressing bending at that spot. The better solution would be to open up those power packs with cord problems near the power packs, unsolder the tipped cords, cut the tipped cords beyond the trouble spot, and resolder them. But does anyone have any experience opening the power packs. There are no obvious screw holes. Any assistance would be appreciated as I don't do this sort of stuff regularly.

PS Yes, power packs can be gotten cheaply from China. But the ones I have received have shorter cords and one of the power packs died within the first three months, not inspiring confidence for taking one of the others on the road with me.
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Radioguy
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Re: Power adapter rebuild

#2 Post by Radioguy » Sat Sep 18, 2010 1:04 pm

I split a casing on a 76x series brick to do this back in the day. The strain relief wore out, and the wire within. With no money, I decided to take a chance.

I used an exacto knife because I couldn't split it along the original melted/glued seam. It was very well fused. It took forever, because I didn't use much force, and just wore it down with strokes. I'm not sure if it's exactly the same as your series adapter, but I'd bet it almost is.

Obviously, this is dangerous and time consuming. You may knick something, especially if you rush it, and not notice the effect until you have a fire.

Also, if the cords are fraying within due to age, then you only buy time until you have to do this again and again, shortening the cord as you go. You really need a new cord altogether, and that means finding new connectors etc...
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