Laptop power supply prob. [Archive]

Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : Laptop power supply prob.

kanji2000

11-20-2006, 07:37 PM

Hi,
lately I'm having problems with my dc power jack in my laptop (DELL inspiron 2650). What to do? Can I replace the jack only?

dkeav

11-20-2006, 07:44 PM

if you are brave enough to solder it, and can find an actual replacement go for it

usually the only thing to be done is to replace the motherboard

check around on ebay or so for a replacement mobo, or see how much dell would charge you to repair it

banzaikai

11-21-2006, 02:52 AM

Ohayo, kanji-san!

HPs have this problem, too. I've noticed that the AC adaptors with a right-angle plug tend to strain the jacks more than the in-line type. I've successfully fixed two of them over the years. It's pretty simple, the hard part is finding the jacks.

First, disassemble the laptop (warranty will be void). Measure the outside diameter of the plug, and the outside diameter of the hole (or outside diameter of the center pin). Most likely, this will wind up being 5.5mm outside and 2.5mm inside (a standard size for items that use in excess of 1A of current).

Now for the hard part... You'll need to take measurements along the highth, width, and depth of the jack, as well as the pin locations. There's three of them - +V, GND, and the switch that lets the laptop know you're on AC power when it's plugged in, usually another ground. On the HP laptops, it'll be either the Mouser 163-0212-E (http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=163-0212-Evirtualkey11180000virtualkey163-0212-E) (2.5mm I.D.) or the 163-0210-E (http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=163-0210-Evirtualkey11180000virtualkey163-0210-E) (2.1mm I.D.). The Kobicons were exact matches for the ones I pulled out. I'd bet dollars to doughnuts Dell uses the same type. I'm sure the Mouser folks can help you out.

Once you get the right jacks, use some de-soldering braid (Soder-Wick®) with about a 30-45 watt iron to remove the old jack. Anything less than this won't allow the solder to heat up enough to remove it all with the braid (lots of metal inside the jack). Anything more will burn up the traces or surrounding components. Solder "suckers" don't work well with the type of pins on these jacks. Once the old one is out, "clean up" the solder holes and pads with fresh braid, and insert the new jack, making sure it aligns exactly to the old one.

There are many tricks to keep the jack pressed firmly to one side of the board while you're soldering on the other. I like to use a clothespin or folder clip to hold it, solder one of the pins, then take the pin/clip off and get the other two. Once cooled down, I then hit the first pin to make sure it has a good (not "cold") solder joint. Test for shorts before reassembling the laptop.

Just about every laptop I've had the misfortune to take apart has been a royal pain, but if you keep things organized and documented as you're taking it apart, it goes together less painfully. TIP1: Use any empty egg carton to keep the small screws and parts in, and number them in the order that you pulled them out. TIP2: If you have a digital camera, use it to snap each step as you disassemble, using yellow Post-It® notes to indicate the screw positions if you lack a macro function. There's nothing worse than putting the thing together and having an extra #00-60 tapered screw left over.

Good Luck!

banzai "Not responsible for end-DIYer errors" kai

yalma

11-25-2006, 12:01 PM

mayabress

11-27-2006, 04:50 PM

mrrangerman43

11-27-2006, 06:23 PM

Yep, follow banzaikai's instructions if you want to save yourself about $80 - $120 depending on motherboard replacement cost. More if you have someone else install the motherboard. You can get the part alot cheaper here (http://cgi.ebay.com/DC-Power-Jack-for-Dell-Inspiron-1100-3800-4000-8000-OEM_W0QQitemZ300052061473QQihZ020QQcategoryZ31534Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item300052061473).

kanji2000

11-27-2006, 06:25 PM

Can you give some more details like what exactly is the problem and how did it occure as a result of something specific as water, falling etc. ? Anyway, in www.laptopjacks.com you can buy cheaply DC power jack, and I think they also supply the installation service.

Hi! Thanks for the cool link! They sell all kinds of jacks?
My laptop fell down and some jack were hitted and broke. Do you think it's possible to replace them by myself?

michaelk

11-27-2006, 11:15 PM

If you do not have any experience with soldering on circuit boards as banzaikai has posted then it is best not to try it yourself or you could damage the laptops motherboard.

dkeav

11-28-2006, 02:20 AM

on the other hand the mobo is useless anyways, so go for it :)

banzaikai

11-28-2006, 05:56 AM

Do you think it's possible to replace them by myself?
You're running Linux, right?

All kidding aside, if you're even halfway adept with a soldering iron (or know someone who is), then it's pretty straightforward. In fact, the hardest part is taking apart the laptop to get to the bottom of the mobo. Use the solder braid to remove the jack. Once the jack is out, you can then measure the entire thing - diameters, pin spacing and positioning, etc. - and order the new one. Once you have one in hand, install, solder, and begin the arduous endeavour of re-assembly.

Tip1: Use the aforementioned 30-45W iron to get the old jack out. I tried my trusty Weller WP-25, and it wasn't up to the task. I switched to a cheapo 30W from RatShack, and out it came. This is because the wick/braid is absorbing some of the heat, along with the solder joint you're de-soldering. I switched back to the WP-25 to put the new one in, but the 30W would've been fine, as there's a lot of copper in that area to heat up.

Tip2: While you're there, get the matching plug (or two) for your socket - you may find you have a broken wire or plug on the power supply after you get everything back together. Heat shrink tubing is a plus, but if you have a Harbor Freight nearby, they have a variety bag of tubing for only a couple of bucks, much cheaper than any electronics vendor I've dealt with.

Tip3: I went to the laptopjacks site before, but dropping $9 on something I found at Mouser for only $1 seemed a bit much. Looking at some of the jacks for Dells - $39? Are you fscking kidding me? Seriously, shop around for the best price.

Tip4: If all this is going right over your head, see about looking into a local LUG, high school or college electronics class, or local HAM radio club. Especially the HAMs - they love ripping things apart and putting them back together.

My laptop fell down and some jack were hitted and broke.
There's also the probability that the mobo is cracked or damaged - I'd open it up and inspect before ordering any parts. HAMs, again, are experts at repairing circuit boards if it comes to that. At the very least, you can always part it out...

banzai "CQ" kai

kanji2000

12-15-2006, 02:02 PM

Banzaikai - thank you very much, it looks like you have deep knowledge in hardware but I don't think I am at that level (meanwhile...), so I've decided not to take the risk and just send it to www.laptopjacks.com. It wasn't that expensive. Now the problem is to get a new battery...it vert difficult to get the appropriate battery to Dell Inspiron 2650 hell knows Y!

je_fro

12-15-2006, 07:13 PM

FWIW, I've soldered several laptop jacks...the trick is to get a big alligator clip and put it on metal where you're soldering, to serve as a heat sink...otherwise you'll fry nearby components on the board. That, and use a propane powered soldering iron (super hot!).

mayabress

12-31-2006, 12:58 PM

Banzaikai - thank you very much, it looks like you have deep knowledge in hardware but I don't think I am at that level (meanwhile...), so I've decided not to take the risk and just send it to DC power jack (http://www.laptopjacks.com). It wasn't that expensive. Now the problem is to get a new battery...it vert difficult to get the appropriate battery to Dell Inspiron 2650 hell knows Y!

Hi,
I have also INSPIRON 2650 and I can't get the right battery! Apparently there're few kinds but not my kind.