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My IBM Thinkpad uses a power adapter that has an output voltage of 16V at 4.5A current. One day the adapter stopped working.
I decided to try to repair the adapter. In the past I repaired several switching power supplies of PCs and also one AC-power adapter of a Asus notebook. I found out that most of the supplies had similar defects. Often they are ease to locate and to repair.
This Instructable shows how to repair a IBM AC-Adapter but using the same principles it can work with any switching power supply.
I decided to try to repair the adapter. In the past I repaired several switching power supplies of PCs and also one AC-power adapter of a Asus notebook. I found out that most of the supplies had similar defects. Often they are ease to locate and to repair.
This Instructable shows how to repair a IBM AC-Adapter but using the same principles it can work with any switching power supply.
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Signing UpStep 1Things needed AND SAFETY
First of all you need the defective power supply ... :-)
The you need a screw driver. It could be phillips type or a flat blade type, depending on the power supply.
In case of the IBM adapter you need a Dremel tool and a cutting disc too.
To find out the dead parts you need a multimeter that contains a continutiy and a diode test.
Having a soldering iron and and some pliers is also helpful when replacing parts.
AND NOW! BE VERY CAREFUL!
YOU ARE WORKING WITH LINE POWER HERE!
MAKING A MISTAKE CAN KILL YOU!
- Allways double check connections!
- Before putting the power chord into the socket, have a look at the scenery and try to see the things that are wrong.
- Keep a clean working desk (hard to do ... ;-)
- After pulling the power chord out of the socket wait some minutes for the capacitors to discharge. They keep the voltage for a long time and they keep a deadly high voltage!
Read this article if you like to know more about it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity .
The you need a screw driver. It could be phillips type or a flat blade type, depending on the power supply.
In case of the IBM adapter you need a Dremel tool and a cutting disc too.
To find out the dead parts you need a multimeter that contains a continutiy and a diode test.
Having a soldering iron and and some pliers is also helpful when replacing parts.
AND NOW! BE VERY CAREFUL!
YOU ARE WORKING WITH LINE POWER HERE!
MAKING A MISTAKE CAN KILL YOU!
- Allways double check connections!
- Before putting the power chord into the socket, have a look at the scenery and try to see the things that are wrong.
- Keep a clean working desk (hard to do ... ;-)
- After pulling the power chord out of the socket wait some minutes for the capacitors to discharge. They keep the voltage for a long time and they keep a deadly high voltage!
Read this article if you like to know more about it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity .
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thank you for the flowers :-)
SMD parts are always hard to identify, because they are simply to small to print something useful on them. Manufacturers often have their own numbering system. Only a few components follow numbering standards. I would try to find out the current that the device uses, that could be difficult if the device is broken ... I know. Then I would replace the fuse with something that "looks good" ... You can also search on manufacturer pages like http://www.littelfuse.com/searchresults.html?NN=0%3aTechnology%3a158 to find the fuse. But such a search can be hard ...
Maybe someone here has better ideas ...
Littelfuse 467 Amp Marking Code
D=0.250A
E=0.375A
F=0.500A
G=0.750A
H=1A
J=1.25A
K=1.5A
L=1.75A
N=2A
O=2.5A
P=3A
R=3.5A
S=4A
T=5A
Now I've gotta order some samples! :-D
Thank you sooo much!
K.