Question about laptop charger

[pm-r]

Interesting fix. I have a hot glue gun. May give that a try.

That sounds like a great idea....

Here are a couple of shots of an older cable I just happened to have on my desk that I'm a bit embarrassed to display as it is far from one of my better-modified cable repair jobs.

Anyway, it gives a crude idea of the hot glue gun cable fix:






- Patrick
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[krs]

The problem is not really the design of Apples Power supply adapters and associated cables, but rather the cable specs as Randy mentioned, that failed to use proper good quality flexible insulation.

Well, as far as I am concerned the cable and the magsafe connector are all part of the Apple product, it's not just the power brick by itself.
And part of the design is specifying the cable that is used.

 

[Alaska61]

See if what you need is here:

https://eshop.macsales.com/Search/?...3512.16199321.1550975524-327414694.1550975524

Thank you Randy.
I believe the one I have, and want, is the same as one at top of that url.

 

[Alaska61]

With all the info being submitted, and beings that this is my first venture with Apple products, I have some questions.

1) Poor quality material used
2) Perhaps bad material used through certain dates of manufacturing
3) Are different manufacturing companies used for these, or is it just one company
4) How much may be due to operator error
5) Does continuous plugin time play a role in cables going bad
6) Maybe it's just a combination of factors

I'm interested in taking care of my "new" Mac, so just curious if I need to be wary of certain retailers, or just hope for the best
Again, thanks for all the info

Mike

 

[krs]

With all the info being submitted, and beings that this is my first venture with Apple products, I have some questions.

1) Poor quality material used
2) Perhaps bad material used through certain dates of manufacturing
3) Are different manufacturing companies used for these, or is it just one company
4) How much may be due to operator error
5) Does continuous plugin time play a role in cables going bad
6) Maybe it's just a combination of factors

I'm interested in taking care of my "new" Mac, so just curious if I need to be wary of certain retailers, or just hope for the best
Again, thanks for all the info

Mike

Maybe this thread and the comments give you the wrong impression.
The quality of materials used and the workmanship of any Mac I have ever had is far superior to the Windows PC's from Bell we use in the office.
The cable going bad from what I seen on the Mac used in my family is mostly because people aren't careful in how tightly they bend the cable right at the magsafe connector.
The L-shape magsafe connector was supposed to address that since it comes out straight towards the back, but it obviously didn't do the trick since Apple went back to the T-shape for magsafe2.

I'm pretty hard on Apple when it comes to design or manufacturing issues because I think they can do better; I'm also paying a premium for Apple products, so if something isn't up to my expectations, I complain.

 

[Alaska61]

Thanks krs.
Maybe the questions could be summarized into what is the best action to take regarding chargers?
Since I'm just learning about my Mac, I'm just trying to get info from all you experienced owners, and save myself some possible future grief
Right now, I'm planning on using my hot glue gun AND buying another charger in case this one goes bad. Normal shipping is around a week to where I live, so would prefer having an extra one here just in case.
I'm retired and live alone, so I'm the only one user, but with the memory I have, even with the led lit, I can forget about laptop being plugged in and move :/

So far, really glad I bought this refurbished unit

 

[pm-r]

And part of the design is specifying the cable that is used.

Definitely, the specs for the cable should be provided and if any improvement is needed, which has been the case for way too long now, they should be changed and provided to the manufacturer.

I'm pretty hard on Apple when it comes to design or manufacturing issues because I think they can do better; I'm also paying a premium for Apple products, so if something isn't up to my expectations, I complain.

And so you should, as I do as well.

And no, I do not put Jony Ive on any design pedestal to be worshipped!!! In fact I might sometimes carry a stick or two of dynamite in my back pocket just waiting for just a chance to use them on that pedestal.

Yikes, I can remember many years back when I used to be a bit of a Appl/Mac biggot!! But then some reality sense set in.



- Patrick
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[pm-r]

So far, really glad I bought this refurbished unit

An excellent choice Mike. And what you actually ended up with is a personalized, custom, special Apple tech fully checked over Mac.

Not just an ordinary one off the assembly line.


- Patrick
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[pigoo3]

Maybe the questions could be summarized into what is the best action to take regarding chargers?

Step back...and take a REALLY really deep breath!

We've only been sharing some good info with you just so you know the weak spots. Just because we've mentioned this stuff...doesn't not mean there's a 99.9% chance you're going to have an issue.

if you want to do something proactive just in case...get some white electrical tape like I suggested way earlier in the thread & wrap some around the spots I indicated (or uses ome black tape if you want).

But you REALLY don't even need to do that if you handle things carefully.

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

But you REALLY don't even need to do that if you handle things carefully.

And adding to that, Do not do what so many "Do it the right way" Demos show: ie:
Proper Method of Wrapping Apple AC Power Adapter Cables
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Z5wxJBafM

DO NOT make an abrupt tight turn with the cable ends if wrapping it as such demos show. Always leave a large first loop and then gentle loops if the cable is going to be wrapped.


- Patrick
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[Alaska61]

Thank you pigoo3 and pm-r

pm-r, nope, I don't wrap power cables like that video showed I've spent many years with computers since C64 and also ham radios. Wrapped lots cables.

The discussion has been very informative, and thanks to all for adding to it.

Mike

 

[MacInWin]

For @Alaska61, and anyone who reads this thread, the way to reduce the risk to the connector is to avoid abusing it. When you plug it in, avoid kinking the cable, or having a sharp bend, near the connection. When disconnecting, pull on the plug, not the wire. When wrapping it, no sharp bends, and if you can, try to avoid bending it time after time in the exact same place. As you said, Alaska61, if you are familiar with good practices and follow them, the apple charger and other cables will last a long time. I've not had one fail for me. For travel, I have a reel called "The Side Winder" that works well to have a nice, compact bundle without a terribly sharp kink. You can see them here: https://fusereel.com

With reasonable treatment, the Apple charger should last as long as the Mac does.

 

[pm-r]

For travel, I have a reel called "The Side Winder" that works well to have a nice, compact bundle without a terribly sharp kink. You can see them here: https://fusereel.com

Great idea thanks Jake and I loved the beginning of their ad: ;D
https://fusereel.com


- Patrick
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[dtravis7]

I hope this does not come off like some Fanboy post or me being an Egotistical person.

My first Mac with Magsafe was a early 2007 Macbook. I still have the original charger and not one issue. Wires look like new and I used that all the time and took it with me. I am VERY careful with my stuff and never abused the cable. Also my late 2011s magsafe is the original part and looks almost brand new and I purchased that machine used so who knows how it was treated.

I agree with all Nick said. If you use reasonable care you should not have any issues. The only issue I had with one mag safe is I was very tired one night and took my Macbook with me in the bedroom and passed out. I left the cable on the couch where I was sitting. I had taken in a Feral cat and it peed all over where the end was and shorted out the Chip in the End. A lot of people do not know this but there is an IC Chip in the end where the green light is. Otherwise never an issue with any of them including the Non Magsafe iBook G4 which I still own.

An example of not being careful. This very clumsy friend of mine treated his Macs like a idiot. His Macbook was all cracked in just 5 months with food hanging off it. Made me ill and he always brought it to me to fix it. His Magsafe Power Supply was dead. I found out why. He turned it over on his desk on the side and a paperclip stuck in the Laptop end of the Magsafe and shorted the pins. He tied to FORCE the power supply end in shorting it out. That was clearly his fault.

 

[krs]

A lot of people do not know this but there is an IC Chip in the end where the green light is.

If you are interested in the nitty, gritty details - here is a good article on that:
http://www.righto.com/2013/06/teardown-and-exploration-of-magsafe.html

or from the same author on the Apple power adapter itself:
http://www.righto.com/2015/11/macbook-charger-teardown-surprising.html?m=1

 

[pm-r]

If you are interested in the nitty, gritty details - here is a good article on that:

Interesting, and quite amazing what goes into what appears to be just a simple connector.

I thought Apple just crammed a small gremlin in there that acted like a traffic cop.



- Patrick
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[pigoo3]

I thought Apple just crammed a small gremlin in there that acted like a traffic cop.

With a green & orange glow-stick.

- Nick

 

[Alaska61]

If you are interested in the nitty, gritty details - here is a good article on that:
http://www.righto.com/2013/06/teardown-and-exploration-of-magsafe.html

or from the same author on the Apple power adapter itself:
http://www.righto.com/2015/11/macbook-charger-teardown-surprising.html?m=1

Interesting articles. Thanks kris

 

[RadDave]

If you are interested in the nitty, gritty details - here is a good article on that:
http://www.righto.com/2013/06/teardown-and-exploration-of-magsafe.html

or from the same author on the Apple power adapter itself:
http://www.righto.com/2015/11/macbook-charger-teardown-surprising.html?m=1

Well, I've been following this thread from the beginning and have seen the links given above - as mentioned before, I had bought several chargers from Amazon as 'spares' for my MBook Pro & Air (the latter for traveling), both were about $30 - each works, BUT as mentioned by others: 1) Charger lights (green or orange on the connector) come on immediately; not true w/ my original Apple chargers suggesting more complex circuitry as a kind of 'pre-check' - discussed in the links above); and 2) OEM chargers get extremely hot to the touch compared to my testing w/ the original Apple ones.

Based on a link to OWC given by Randy HERE, I perused their 'Apple' laptop chargers at $49 each and wondered why these were nearly 'half price' if indeed real Apple chargers - sent an email to OWC technical support and received the response below - apparently these are received as 'bulk packaged' at a reduced cost which is passed onto the customer - I went ahead and ordered a 45 Watt charger for my MBAir - I'll likely just donate my other 'cheapos' to Goodwill and let them decide their fate. Dave

.

 

[RadDave]

Well, no one responded to my previous post for whatever reason? BUT, I did order the 45 Watt Charger from OWC - just arrived today - looks identical to my original MBAir charger w/ the Apple logo embossed - the model number matches; there is a delay in the connector light coming on when attached, plus the 'warmness' of the charger is similar to the Apple one - THUS, I believe OWC's statement quoted in my last post, i.e. this is the same charger bought in bulk and sold at a great price - I'll buy these 'spares' in the future from OWC.

Now this 'spare' charger is mainly to come w/ me on trips - take my MBAir (so easy to pack) - NOW, will not buy a spare MBPro 60 Watt charger - that computer is now approaching 6 years of age but still working fine - just keep @ home - however, the next Apple laptop that I buy will likely have the USB-C port for charging - just a consideration? Dave