My homemade AC adapter. :)

[Blade753]

Question about my AC adapter.

Well, I would like to say Hi all! this is my first post...let's cut to the chase. I purchased an iBook g3/g4 charger thinking that it was a Powerbook g3 charger, I was wrong, so I tried to cut off the tip and then just attach the wires. Now I have bought an iBook on eBay and i needed a charger because they thought it's a good idea to sell them separately. So I was recently in my basement looking for the tip, I didn't find it but I did find an old component audio plug. So I took an exacto knife and i cut back the insulation to see if there were to wires, There were so i attached the positive wire to the corresponding wire and the same with the negative. I want to know if this will work with my new iBook.

Thanks for any help!

-Jordan

 

[chscag]

Hi Blade:

Well, like we say in the electronic repair business..give it the smoke test!

Seriously, it should work provided the polarity is correct and the current carrying capability is the same. Good luck and regards.

 

[mikepugs]

Yeah hopefully you don't pump so much juice into that thing it catches or melts all the innards of that ebay investment.

 

[Blade753]

Well, i know that its the right voltage because the adapter was built for the iBook that i have purchased (not the Powerbook that I had intended). And thats good to know, because i don't want to drop another 20 dollars to get another charger. Thanks for the help

PS - How do I conduct the smoke test?

 

[Blade753]

Sorry for the double post, But I want to know for sure how to determine the polarity.

 

[Eric559]

Funniest thread ever.

Even if it does work it is a major fire hazard.

 

[Blade753]

Not really. As long as i keep the 2 wires from touching I should be good, remember I didn't make the transformer (it was from an iBook G3/G4 adapter just the tip had been snipped off) I just want to know if my improvised tip would work.

 

[Lone Buggin]

For polarity, the post and the sleeve on the plug are each connected to one of the wires. Hook them to a multimeter so you know which is which (continuity). Once you know which is which, use the multimeter on the wires you're going to splice it to, to check polarity. Then splice according to the little +/- picture on the unit. For the smoke test, plug it in.. if it smokes, something is wrong.

 

[Blade753]

Well, I tested polarity probably the worst way possible, I licked the sleeve and i didn't get any type of shock, and then when I licked the tip (SEPERATLEY, i got jolted when i did then together) I got a small charge and i figured that that was the positive. I did all this because I don't have a multimeter to use at this time.

 

[louishen]

Hilarious!!!

The old electric shock test

I would get some proper insulation tape on that thing though and get a multimeter to gauge what current and voltage that is giving out

 

[Blade753]

Well, i know it's giving out a lot because i accidentally licked both at the same time......wow......


But other than that, Should this work?

 

[Lone Buggin]

It won't work unless you have it wired up right, and it's putting out the right amount of juice. The only way to know those 2 things, is to get a multimeter.

 

[sdsviet]

let me know if this works. i have a bad tip on my ibook charger too.

 

[bryphotoguy]

Does the component male piece fit nicely into the female connection on the iBook?
Secondly, is it worth frying a laptop to save $20?

Seems like a no brainer to me, drop the $20 and save your tongue from more torture.

 

[Lone Buggin]

Well, did it work? Because from the picture in your first post a week ago, it looks like you were all set to plug it in. Have you tried it yet? We're all curious here.

 

[ViriiGuy]

If the plug is a good fit and you got the polarity correct, then yes it will work, however... Your hack job on the wiring is deplorable. Duct tape is not a good replacement for proper wiring, not even a good replacement for electrical tape. Also, that stereo connector is not designed to carry much current and will likely burn out eventually. Taking your Macbook with it. 120v is nothing to laugh at, and you need to be slapped for even licking that connection. You either have no idea how easily you could have killed yourself, or you do not care. Either way, that is a BIG no no.

I am not trying to be hard on you, but I think you and others should think twice before you EVER put anything in your mouth to check for current. You can and will DIE.

 

[phuct]

well what happened?

so what is the word on the charger you were trying to put together?
forget about all the lectures about safety and what not

 

[Aptmunich]

PSA:

Kids - don't try this at home!

I never thought I'd have to say this, but licking your electronic device's charger's connector is seriously dangerous and could very possibly kill you.

 

[FreakTimmah]

Cheaping out on the power adapter is never a smart idea. I did this with my ibook when the wire cracked right where it plugs in. I decided to be thrifty and taped it up. I used it like that for a few months until one night I moved my laptop slightly and the plug started smoking. I ended up having to replace the DC in board on top of buying a new power adapter. I could have avoided doing that if I had just replaced the adapter in the first place. Seriously just spend the $20

Also you're an idiot for licking a live wire. Jesus Christ.

 

[hugtheslug]

Please don't throw things at me but i've just successfully done the same thing, following the instructions at

http://www.faqintosh.com/risorse/en/guides/hw/ibook/pjack/

+ http://www.instructables.com/id/Replace-the-DC-plug-on-an-Apple-iBook-silver-%22yo-y/

+ http://homepage.mac.com/tamarat/ibookparts/

+ http://repair4laptop.org/contrib/apple_ibook/ibook_charger_plug_repair.html

Licking not required - have a multimeter
You need a 2.5mm stereo audio jack for a G3 500 Dual USB onwards and wire up as per the links. The tip is not wired, just helps hold the jack in place in the iBook.

So yes, it does work, the only thing is I can't be sure about voltage sensing so I wouldn't leave it overnight to charge in case the battery is fried. Just keep an eye on the charge rate. It's a snug fit but a little vulnerable because there is no outer ring to protect it in the hole.

Cheers

Hugh