Trying to figure out how to post a pic.

Does anyone sell replacement plugs or is a whole new charger in order? Just to be clear, this is a plug on the charger for an older (non magnetic) iBook.

Edit: To fix pix post. HTH



Edited 8 time(s). Last edit at 12/21/2006 08:30PM by rgG.

The link does not work. If you just post the URL it is sufficient.

To post a pic, enclose the full url in [ img] and [ /img] tags... (only remove the spaces...I had to add those so the forum doesn't try to make the word "and" a pic...).

Like this;




What the hell did you do to it?

No place I know of to get only the end connector.

A new one is probably in order.

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Paul F.
-----
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----
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/21/2006 11:30AM by Paul F..

Yea, that's the picture. Anyway, right where the cord enters the plug, the wires shorted and started to burn the insulation. This is not mine, but I offered to see if I could fix it before ordering a new one. So, you can't buy a plug at Radio Shack and solder it to the wires? Too bad.

Okay, now figuring out to post a picture is really starting to bug me. Why doesn't mine work? What did I do wrong?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/21/2006 11:41AM by Wolf Larsen.

Not that I'm aware of...
The question has come up before, and I don't think anyone has found a source for that particular type of end plug to make repairs.

If you DO find a source, I'm in for two of 'em....

---

Paul F.
-----
A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
----
Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
--

--

--
Eureka, CA

I think we've found a niche market! Whose in for starting a new company making charger plugs?

your pic isn't working because the url is in brackets. Take those out and it should work.

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I've had the same issue with a yoyo adapter. I tore the plug apart, rewired and soldered it, and potted it in RTV and epoxy.

It lasted about six months.

Then I bought a new power adapter from OWC. Fixing it again was way too much work for the money.

The problem is caused because the user pulls the plug out by yanking on the wire, not the plug. (As my teenager did). Also by over-bending the wire by using it on the lap while plugged in.

Quote
cbelt3
The problem is caused because the user pulls the plug out by yanking on the wire, not the plug. (As my teenager did). Also by over-bending the wire by using it on the lap while plugged in.

Apple redesigned the white square adapters because the strain relief there was insufficient.

They also redesigned the white brick because it could be shorted out/ cut with the white flip up cord winders.

EDIT: You are not alone: [www.appledefects.com]

Carm



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/21/2006 01:23PM by Carm.

It works! (Not the plug, the picture.)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/21/2006 01:52PM by Wolf Larsen.

Congrats. On posting the picture.

I'd consider that one destroyed. I share that image with Apple though.

The problem is caused because the user pulls the plug out by yanking on the wire, not the plug.

For those who don't know any better, the problem is also caused by the lousy strain relief (and possibly the light cable) that Apple uses.

I have *never* used the cord to pull the plug out of my 'Books, by accident or design. I can't be the only person in that category.

There is very little resistance to the plug, anyway.

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It is never Apple's fault. Never, never!

Never had a problem with any of the Apple power adapters. I'm often plugging in and unplugging my powerbooks, putting them in a bag, moving them around, taking them on flights...

I think most users just aren't aware of how much strain they put on the cables. I had the yo-yo adapter (which I greatly preferred to the brick) and it's irritating they quit making it because some users were yanking out wires. Several years of winding and unwinding on a daily basis wasn't enough to even show wear.

In order for the wires to be cut by the white flip-up tabs, pressure has to be applied. The wires don't weight enough to apply the pressure themselves.

Many people I see handling cables put far too much strain on them. If they are wrapping them up, they're wrapping them up too tight. They have no comprehension of what a cable can take for an extended period of time, and what it can take a handful of times. They figure if it doesn't break the first time, it's okay to keep doing it.

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I believe that there is a sole supplier for those plugs. it has been mentioned here at least once. That's why I know about them. However, the cost of the plug alone is about what a new 3rd party charger is. Check OWC for new chargers.

Thys is why Apple went to the new Magsafe plugs on the new laptops. They just pop out when any amount of pull is applied.

It's too bad not everybody is as smart and careful as Mavic.

I never had a problem with the strain relief on a power cord until the g3 iBook. I had two of them replaced. And after the redesign, I haven't had a problem since.

we work on aerospace equipment that gets launched where I work. I have seen a lot of electrical hardware with wire strain reliefs, and have been involved in a lot of vibration testing. In my limited experience, Apple uses undersized wiring (strength wise) and little or no strain relief, relative to the abuse the equipment is likely to see.

Lets say for the sake of arguement, that they design strain relief to survive at 110% of the expected stress levels. That is a very slim margin. That is why so many iPod earbuds go bad so quick, and so many power adapter plugs and mice cables go bad. If they had heavier wires, and better strain relief built in, they would last longer. However, they would look clunkier. I am sure that is why Apple chose to do things the way they do.

The power adapter for my Dull laptop at work takes an amazing amount of abuse, but the wires and connector are in great condition, despite the fact that the plug at the laptop end gets bent in a 90 angle with about a 1" radius. It can't bend ant tighter because of the molded in strain relief. Granted, the adapter looks like it was designed about 15 years ago, but, heck, it probably was. But I bet it will outlast 2 laptops.

People want graceful designs, and lightweight portability. Apple is giving it to them. They could never have made the yo-yo adapters if they were 14 guage wire and huge strain reliefs. It would be the size of a wheel of brie.

The new magsafe plugs are a huge step forward. Now if they would just put in a little more strain relief.......



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/21/2006 06:23PM by Racer X.

Quote
M A V I C
.... In order for the wires to be cut by the white flip-up tabs, pressure has to be applied. The wires don't weight enough to apply the pressure themselves. ......

Very true, the white flaps had to be redesigned because students/kids were putting pressure on the cable on purpose to make them burn out and spark.

Carm

Quote
Carm

Quote
M A V I C
.... In order for the wires to be cut by the white flip-up tabs, pressure has to be applied. The wires don't weight enough to apply the pressure themselves. ......

Very true, the white flaps had to be redesigned because students/kids were putting pressure on the cable on purpose to make them burn out and spark.

Carm

I'm not even saying that the damage caused by them was intentional, just as a result of lack of care.

I prefer easy of use and light weight for this usage. It means I have to be more careful, but that's a fine trade off for me.

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In my limited experience, strain reliefs just transfer the strain damage to the end of the strain relief.

When the damage is under the strain relief with molded strains, it can be from the molding process and/or crappy insulation on wires.

I'm seeing more and more wire and coax( often with no ID markings on it) that supposedly "meets all specifications" and can't survive even normal use.
Some so bad it's even tough to work with.

I'm wary of wire that I can strip the insulation off of with just my finger nails and very little effort.