Universal Chargers

Sully

Since I am getting a fair few laptops looking for repair without chargers or broken chargers I am looking at just buying a universal one. Since its not for one specific laptop brand - any recommendations? The voltage/amp situation has me in doubt.

AlmightyCushion

Everything I've read contradicts something else I've read about chargers. I can't get a definite answer on anything basically. The most common thing I have seen is that wattage doesn't really matter. If the laptop takes a 65w adapter, a 90w adapter will work fine. My dell inspiron also used a 90w adapter but I used a 65w adapter on it for a while with no issues.

As for voltage, I've heard that too little voltage can damage the laptop but too much is fine. Apparently the laptop just takes what it needs. You can get chargers that let you change the voltage though.

Everything I said above I have read stuff by others that contradict it so don't take this as gospel. If you do find out what is correct though please let me know as I am interested to find out.

MunsterCycling

AC invert that, too much voltage will kill the motherboard and too little amp rating on the psu will kill the PSU, but too many is no prob as laptop just draws what it needs.

MC

AlmightyCushion

MunsterCycling wrote: »

AC invert that, too much voltage will kill the motherboard and too little amp rating on the psu will kill the PSU, but too many is no prob as laptop just draws what it needs.

MC

So voltage has to be just right (can it be less?) and with the amp rating it can't be too little.

MunsterCycling

Yes if the machine will charge then the Vs can be less but if the PSU has too little AMPs it will overheat the PSU and might burn it out.

AlmightyCushion

So:
Wattage - Can be whatever as long as it's above what the laptop needs.
Voltage - Can't be too much as this will fry the laptop. It will charge the battery if it's too low though. Will it power the laptop though (say I take out the battery)?
Amps - Can't be too few or this will burn out the power supply.

How does the above sound? Anything else I'd need to know?

Overheal

Its a ****ing headache. Ive simply learned to do nothing without matching voltage and amperage within a margin of error (eg. 1.5v battery powered devices accepting 1.2v rechargeable batteries) Which reminds me that Lithium Ion batteries would fry most devices because they operate at 3.5volts - hence why you cant find AA Li-io.

MunsterCycling

Its not that much of a mindfu(k, just follow what AC has posted above,

-> AC it probably would power the machine, try it and see is aal I can say.

MC

AlmightyCushion

MunsterCycling wrote: »

Its not that much of a mindfu(k, just follow what AC has posted above,

-> AC it probably would power the machine, try it and see is aal I can say.

MC

I don't have anything to test it with. I just figured seeing as this is here and you seemed to know what you're talking about I'd use it as an excuse to create a sticky about this.

kikel

Use a Trust universal charger if none is provided. Have it about 2 years now. Always charging connectors and voltage. never had a problem.

Not for carrying around but handy on a work bench.

MunsterCycling

Yeah the charger should work, although if the PSU AMP rating is too far below the requirement it won't even power up, I'll test it tomorrow as I have a few Dells here (one with a 120w PSU) and can see what happens (prays for no blue smoke)

MC