Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Laptop charger - voltage/ampage etc.

  • 14-05-2009 7:35pm
    #1
    snappieT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭


    So, sister's laptop charger just broke, she's planning on getting a new one pretty soon so replacement charger is out of the question.

    Existing charger (Acer) is 19V, 3.42A, large tip on end for plugging into laptop.

    I have an old HP charger, also 19V, but 4.74A. Smaller tip, but it still plugs into the laptop and makes connection, laptop boots no problem.

    Is it safe/ok to continue using this charger for an extended period of time? I don't really know enough about electronics to be sure, though I suspect the laptop will only draw as much current as it needs, rather than the charger forcing too much through the laptop.

    Any help appreciated.
    -S


Comments

  • #2
    wolfric
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,190 ✭✭✭wolfric


    Simple answer is NO.

    There is a very small chance it will be fine but over doing the volt/amps could burn it out a LOT quicker, giving it very little life. I would sugest you take it out immediately!


  • #3
    Voodu Child
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,706 ✭✭✭Voodu Child


    The correct answer is YES.

    The current rating of a PSU is just a measure of the current that it is capable of providing. Current is not something that's forced by the charger, the laptop will only draw what it needs. Anything over 3.42A is fine, meaning the adaptor you are current using is grand.


  • #4
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 93,563 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    If the adaptor voltage is too high then yes you risk damaging the laptop.
    In this case it's the same so good.


    Laptops use different amounts of power depending on how busy/bright it is.

    The PSU is able to power the laptop AND charge the battery. This means that most of the time the adaptor is not working at 100% capacity so using an adaptor with a higher rating should not be a problem. If a laptop can run off a battery for an hour , and it takes two hours to charge a battery while the laptop is running then the laptop is taking an extra 50% power from the adaptor to charge the battery.

    Re running a lower power adaptor
    On an aside I've regurally used Toshiba 3A adaptors on 5A laptops, the laptop would not start up unless the battery had some charge, but after a few minutes you could run the laptop, so if using a lower current rating adaptor try to charge the battery while using the laptop and if the battery is flat let it charge before using the laptop.


  • #5
    snappieT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭snappieT


    voodoo_child wrote: »
    The current rating of a PSU is just a measure of the current that it is capable of providing.
    That's exactly what I wanted to hear, thanks!


  • #6
    Jonathan
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 8,260 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jonathan


    Might have been an idea to check the polarity first, but it works grand, so the polarity is correct.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement