Dell 7.5mm 3-pole co-axial laptop power plug - buyable? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: icon
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2013, 09:05:01 pm
content: HiMy Dell laptop charger lead has broken both the +ve and -ve wires - inside the strain relief. Slight design flaw there, methinks. It's so close to the plug, I can't repair it, and the plug itself is moulded on and completely filled with some kind of plastic.I've bought a new chargerin the meantime, but if I could find a suitable plug, I could repair the old one as a spare. But I can't find the plug anywhere.Any clues? UK for preference.ThanksJohn

author: TheBay
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 09, 2013, 10:45:10 pm
content: Am I allowed to say this is a deliberate design flaw on hereYou should be able to crack open the SMPS carefully and replace the cable, then superglue it back together.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2013, 11:32:34 pm
content: HP uses the same plug if that helps. You can power a Dell from the HP cord, but it won't charge.

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2013, 11:37:44 pm
content: If you cannot get the cable, buy a cheapo charger from ebay open both units and replace the cable.I recently replaced the cable for an HP power brick, youtube, a hammer and some cloths will help you to open the cases.David.

author: TheBay
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 10, 2013, 12:06:44 am
content: Quote from: Stonent on December 09, 2013, 11:32:34 pmIt will if you put the dell ID IC inside the laptop, use any PSU then (Within Reason)Silly Dell!!!!!! What a crap idea which is prone to failure, hate manufacturer hardware lock ins.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2013, 01:41:45 am
content: One thing is it lets the laptop know the wattage of the charger. At 65w it isn't enough to power and charge most laptops

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2013, 02:11:52 am
content: Quote from: Stonent on December 10, 2013, 01:41:45 amThey could've used an even cheaper resistor arrangement (like IBM does) but instead use an obscure EEPROM... clearly there's a more sinister motive here.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2013, 05:36:47 am
content: Quote from: amyk on December 10, 2013, 02:11:52 amThey've used the same plug for nearly 10 years now. Not too sinister I think.

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2013, 06:22:30 am
content: ^^^ You can even get a really reallly cheap one (like $10.00) and it will power/charge the laptop for a good while. Even though it ran really hot.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2013, 09:33:26 am
content: if you want a cheap ass replacement cord, look at car chargers for them, they're pretty cheapo.

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2013, 10:21:26 am
content: QuoteThe word you are looking for is idiotic.

author: icon
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2013, 01:19:13 pm
content: Quote from: TheBay on December 09, 2013, 10:45:10 pmHiI'd be just as happy to replace the cable (or in fact splice the wires) - but where do I buy one?John

author: icon
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2013, 01:25:44 pm
content: Duh. A bit more googling and I've discovered it's 7.4mm, not 7.5mm. I could buy 1000 plugs from Alibaba - bit more than I need. However cable bought for £4.95, so all's well.Many thanksJohn