Power adapters and worldwide compatibility - a lesson

The standard fare today in power adapters is such that the brick itself is compatible around the world. Indeed, the input power on a Lenovo AC adapter is rated from 100-240V and 50 or 60Hz - capable of operating on any power standard. The only catch is of course the wall plug in various countries. Again, most adapters have a removable adapter-to-wall power cord and if the manufacturer has a worldwide presence, you can likely order a country-specific power cord. Lenovo is such a company and you can find power cords for most geographies, like here. I'm preparing for a trip to New Zealand, my first out of the country, and wanted to be prepared to have my lifeline (aka ThinkPad) ready for the new locale. I looked up the power cord FRU (Field Replaceable Unit) number, called up IBM parts to verify availability, and placed the order. I was also delivering a new T61 to my mother-in-law and the U.S. power cord would be a burden down there. At $2.80 each plus a flat shipping fee, it was a no-brainer.
Australia/NZ Cord
As a side note, I ordered the adapters Monday night and they arrived Tuesday morning
I open the box to find a goofy-looking wall-plug (no offense... ) and what's this - a three-prong adapter-plug???
Australia/NZ plug
It looks a heckuva lot like the old T4x 16V power adapters and I figured I got the wrong FRU, dangit! After having gloated to Matt Kohut, our resident globetrotter, about my adapter-ordering-savvy, I mentioned in passing my situation. No sooner did my lips stop flapping did Matt whisk me away to a seemingly endless drawer in his desk, filled with dozens of black rectangles. Out of it came a seemingly normal looking 65W adapter.
Two very similar power adapters
Do you see a difference in the two adapters? I didn't at first either. Ah, there it is -
U.S. adapter vs ANZ adapter
It turns out that some countries still require an extra grounding wire in AC adapters and do the three-prong plug must be used. There I was thinking in my smugness that I could get away with a new power cord alone, not so!
I hope this helps anyone shopping for power adapters or cords soon. Thanks to Mr. Kohut I have a couple power adapters perfect for my mother-in-law's new T61, so she can compute around New Zealand without needing a silly plug adapter like us Yankees will use down there.
For reference, here are the part numbers in question:
2-prong 65W AC adapter: 92P1214
3-prong 65W AC adapter: 92P1153
Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua, New Guinea power cord - 39M4960
65W AC adapter service parts page
Message Edited by Tim_Lenovo on 12-05-2007 12:50 PM
Tim Supples
Lenovo Social Media
Got a question? Don't PM me, post it on the forum!
Lenovo Blogs
X60 Tablet SXGA+ primary, Z61p fully loaded workhorse

They are different because the two notebooks use a different power system. Your R51 uses the old 16V adapters and the T60 uses the newer 20V versions. Starting with the Z60 series, it was decided to upgrade our power delivery capabilities to meet the ever-increasing power demands of mobile computing.
You can read more information in a couple of our blog posts on the topic:
http://lenovoblogs.com/insidethebox/?p=51
http://lenovoblogs.com/designmatters/?p=23
Tim Supples
Lenovo Social Media
Got a question? Don't PM me, post it on the forum!
Lenovo Blogs
X60 Tablet SXGA+ primary, Z61p fully loaded workhorse

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Power adapters and chargers

I'm not quite sure where this question belongs, because it's about most Apple adapters and chargers, not just iPad, so I'm hoping this is correct and I'm not breaking any rules.
A brief history:
The charger that came with my refurbished iPad is a rectangular shape that fits into the slot on the bottom of the iPad (http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA591G/C/apple-30-pin-to-usb-cable?fnode=3a.) When I try to connect this cable via USB to my iMac, it shows grayed out but does nothing.
I also have a power adapter (my second one; one of the prongs came out of the first and stuck in the outlet within a few days of purchase) (http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD810LL/A/apple-5w-usb-power-adapter?fnode=3c) so the way I've been charging the iPad is via these two pieces using direct power (IOW, plugged into the wall outlet). Yesterday, this method stopped working. I tried a different outlet thinking that could be the problem. Didn't work. Meanwhile, the iPad is draining, down to 17% and no way to recharge until my newly ordered parts arrive. Today the rectangular charge described above fell apart in my hand, wires just fell out.
Today, I tried using my MacBook Pro to charge via USB, at which point the rectangular charge described above fell apart in my hand, wires just fell out. Not only that, the power adapter on the laptop no longer works. (http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD836LL/A/apple-12w-usb-power-adapter?fnode=3c). What a surprise. It’s only my fourth one. I've never had one last longer than three months max.
Am I the only one that finds it is typical of Apple’s charging and power accessories to fail within a few months? First, the laptop power adapter fails (all four of them), then the iPad power adapter, and now the iPad charger. At first, for $19, it wasn't worth making a fuss about...I was more interested in getting the part replaced so I could get back on track. Now, several $19 items later, I'm just getting angry. It doesn't seem like much, just a quick nineteen bucks, until it starts adding up.
I am extremely careful with these fragile pieces of crap. I'm thinking maybe Apple has nice little scam going. Kind of like inkjet printers. The printers seem cheap till you realize how much the ink costs and how often it needs replacing.
I have been a loyal Apple/Mac user since the beginning, so I have no idea if this happens with PCs and don’t really care. I'm not interested in some complicated work-around, assuming there is one. I don't want to have trundle back and forth to the Apple store, either fighting for a refund or buying a replacement. I just want the part to work, regularly, for a long period of time, or is that too much to ask?
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Well, first of all, I just rechecked the links and the chargers are the ones I've been using with the products described. The one for the iPad is the same as the one that came with the device, and it says in the Product Info that it connects iPhone, iPod and iPad. The one for the MacBook Pro is apparently the wrong link, but that IS what it looks like so you get the idea.
However, according to your response, the mystery continues since you have obviously not had the same frequent failures and yet your use is far "rougher," as in moved around a lot during travel and so forth. Mine were all treated with great delicacy, including the Apple 30-pin to USB cable that fell apart in my hands this morning. I did not describe that clearly. Sorry, I meant the one for the iPad not the MB Pro, but it doesn't change the point that I've had so many of these chargers and connectors fail. I have ordered two new chargers for the iPad. At least I'll have a backup if/when the first one checks out. Guess I'll do the same for the laptop power adapter.
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I broke my power adapter and my powerbook is still in warranty..my question is the warranty cover me up or what??
Thanks

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Hi all
I'm looking for fairly technical details about how a Macbook interacts with it's power adapter.
My theory:
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MagSafe#Pinout
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The issue:
I figure that my theory is well reasoned but will more proof before I considered any off it fact.
The most direct way to confirm my theory is to cut up a Macbook pro adapter and start testing. Yet getting and modifying a Macbook adapter to be a test subject costs time and money and asking the web for answers is cheaper on both accounts.
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Macbook adapters produced fixed voltages? Either signal voltage (6.86v ?) or operating voltage (18.5v or 16.5v depending on adapter model)? They don't produced a range of voltages?
Is the signal voltage really 6.86 volts? How many amps or milliamps of signal voltage is needed from the power adapter for the Macbook to consider the adapter as "good" to draw from?
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Shouldn't cause any problems. The main issue will be that the 60w adapter won't provide enough juice to both charge the MBP battery and run it if there is much of a load so I'd avoid using the 60w on the MBP for anything other than charging the battery whilst not using the machine - sudden power shortage could be painful for the machine.
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Mag-Safe Power Adapters and Apple Care

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Beware of some of the eBay power adapters

ok, I figured I would post this up, as I know the seller I bought from has sold a LOT of power adapters. Make sure to check the current rating on any power adapter before you buy it. I needed a couple power adapters for a few of the laptops that I have laying around. I bought an adapter that was listed as compatible with my M305, to check the quality before I bought more. Unfortunately, I had assumed that all of the specs were correct since the seller listed it as compatible, so I didn't check it. I had it hooked up to my L655 to test, and had no problems with it.
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File a dispute, request a full refund and leave feedback
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Has anyone else had this problem on defective power adapters?

I just finished talking to customer care about the third defective power adapter for my powerbook G4. He just did not care. Had attitude of why are you bothering me?
I saw an old post on the board some time ago, some fellow had gone through 8 power adapters and apple just kept sending him defective ones.
Has anyone else had this problem with defective power adapters that just turn off, and or rude customer service people?

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Understanding iPhone Charging and Power Adapters

I've been in a protracted discussion (now locked) regarding iPhone battery charging and whether it is harmful/helpful to use the iPad power adapter rather than the iPhone power adapter.
There are a lot of misconceptions related to iPhone charging and current ratings on the iPhone and iPad power adapters. As an electrical engineer, I'd like to clear up some misconceptions.
Apple supplies a power adapter, not a "battery charger," with the iPhone and iPad.
The iPhone power adapter supplies a constant 5V at up to 1A (rated–independent tests have shown that it can supply almost 1.8A).
The iPad power adapter supplies a constant 5V at up to 2 or 2.1A (rated).
The iPhone's battery charging voltage and current are regulated within the phone.
The iPhone's battery is rated at 3.7V. Charged with the raw 5V from the power adapter, it would be destroyed. Fortunately, the internal regulation in the iPhone prevents that.
The maximum current that an iPhone will draw from a 5V power adapter is right around 1 amp. It does not matter if the charger is capable of supplying more, that's the most that the iPhone will use.
Because of the internal charge regulation, the iPhone battery will not charge any faster on an iPad power adapter than on an iPhone power adapter.
Apple approves the use of the iPad power adapter with the iPhone. It is completely safe for that purpose and does not harm the phone or battery in any way.
A water analogy might make this much easier for people without electrical engineering background to understand.
Water pressure (psi) is analogous to voltage.
Water flow (gallons per minute) is equivalent to current flow (amps).
A faucet valve is analogous to the iPhones battery charging regulation circuitry.
A bucket's capacity (gallons) is analogous to a battery's capacity (amp-hours or AH).
Let's say you adjust the faucet to flow 1/10 of a gallon per hour. The five gallon bucket will take 50 minutes to fill up. Easy enough. But then...
You need a lot more water flow for a new sprinkler system.
You need a lot more current for your new iPad.
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After installing the new higher capacity water supply line, you go out to your faucet and adjust it to 1/10 of a gallon per hour.
After plugging in the higher capacity iPad adapter, you plug in your iPhone and its charging regulation circuitry adjusts the current flow to about an amp.
The bucket still takes just as long to fill up.
The battery still takes just as long to charge.
The faucet is not under additional strain since the pressure is still 80psi.
The iPhone's battery charging circuitry is not under additional strain since the supply voltage is still 5V.
I hope that I've clarified this for those who want to better understand the subject.

As far as the battery status, the tiny little icon in
the upper right corner of the screen is somewhat
helpful, but while it is connected it does not
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informative screen that would give better battery
details. When you first connect the iPhone sometimes
I get a large battery icon that shows the level
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1. Press the top button to turn the display off if it's not off already.
2. Connect to a power source.
3. The screen should display a large battery meter in the middle of the screen that actually shows the state of charge, even if charging.
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MacBook and MacBook Pro power adapters cross compatible?

Greetings~!
I have a MBP, and I just bought my girlfriend a MacBook for her B-Day.
I realize there is a wattage difference between the two power adapters. The MBP is 85watts and the MB is 60watts.
So... to me, I could use the 85watt power adapter to charge the MacBook... but not the other way around.
Has anyone experienced using any other power adapter with the MacBook?

I'm sorry I can't find the reference article for this but I remember reading that as long as the batteries are present you are fine either way, noting that the MBP hooked to a 60 W supply will take a little longer to charge than you are used to with the 85. However, I'm pretty sure it also said you could see problems in the unlikely scenario that you had the 60 W connected to a MBP with no battery present. In that case the MBP would be asking for up to 85 but only getting 60. I don't know enough about it to be able to say that would actually be a problem.

Power adapters for MacBook and MacBook Pro

Are Apple power adapter universal for MacBooks and MacBook Pro's manufactured over the past few years. I would like order a spare power adapter and I own three laptops all which have been purchased in the past three years. I have two MacBooks and one MacBook Pro.

Not sure what you are asking. The AC adaptors for MBs and MBPs are not the same. The former is rated at 65 watts and the latte is rated at 85 watts. The latter could be used with a MB or a MBP, but the former could not be used with a MBP. Both adaptors have the same MagSafe connector. They would work on any appropriate Intel model since 2006.

IPOD and power adapters help =(

sooo, i decided to restore ERRRYTH`n. but on my ipod screen, it has a picture of a power adapter and an outlet. so i plugged the usb into my computer to charge it or someth`n, but it won`t do anyth`n. and when i press MENU AND MIDDLE BUTTON, it goes to a picture of the battery charging, only, its frozen like that. it aint animated. i tried restart`n the ipod, the computer, dc`n the usb and putting it into another usb port. =( anybody had this problem before?! if soo, please tell me the SOLUTiON. ty.\
btw. somebody told me if might be crashed it while flashing the firmware =T if so. please PLEASE give me a solution =(

You don't necessarily have to buy one. If you know someone with one, use theirs. If you live near an Apple store, take it by and they should let you connect your iPod to a power adapter. If they give you trouble, take it to the Genius Bar and ask them what to do.
JC

X1 Carbon (3443CTO) start up blank screen and no activities after BIOS ACHI to Compatibility

Hi everyone,
I have a X1 Carbon 3443CTO and it's running fine.
Last night everything was ok and I went into the BIOS and changed AHCI to compatibility (don't ask me why, I was doing some testing), then I went "Exit and Save Changes" (at the last page of BIOS). As soon as I press Enter the screen freezed there (as opposed to reboot)
Since it hangs there I hold the power button and it shutdown.
Then I power it up again, but now, here is the problem:
1) The computer turns ON, keyboard backlight flash on for a second (normal)
2) Screen stays blank (no, it's not the backlight faulty)
3) power light turns ON (normal)
4) no sign of activities pressing any buttons, no beep sound
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Solved!
Go to Solution.

It turns out that the board does need replacement, they are ordering the part and getting it replaced.

Direction on safe power adapters for iPods from US to Travel in France

Hello, I searched other topics found the Apple power adapter plug for the ipod discussesd this topic (which I do already have), but it did not SPECIFICALLY say that it will convert from US (110v) to Euro - France (220) volt. All the instructions from available power adapters (non-Apple) specifically say 'not for use with stereo or musical equipment.'
Help ! Can I just plug in my Apple ipod power adapter INTO a standard 110v to 220v converter and not worry about problems? Do I need to look for a special voltage adapter that works between certain amps or voltage ranges?
Best Buy, Radio Shack, Travel Smith and Sharper Image were NO help.
Looking not to fry my 60GB video ipod during a month long trip to Europe..
Help Please -- Au Secours! Jesse At One
Thanks and happy ipoding.
P.S. It is still next to impossible to find how to post a question. Instructions misleading, unclear and incorrect. oooppss...
Dell Prescision 370 Windows XP </span<br

hiya!
but it did not SPECIFICALLY say that it will convert from US (110v) to Euro - France (220) volt.
the accepted input power range is given in the "About the Apple iPod Power Adapter's Voltage Requirements" section in this document:
iPod: About the Apple iPod Power Adapter
... and there's info on the World Travel Adapter Kit given in the "Charging iPod around the World" section in this document:
Charging your iPod battery
if you feel so inclined and you have the time, you can submit feedback about your navigational difficulties here:
AppleCare Website Suggestions (improvements to fora, etc)
love, b

Power adapters and worldwide compatibil​ity - a lesson

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Power adapters and worldwide compatibility - a lesson