How do you open a notebook powersupply? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: jort93
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 07, 2017, 07:20:27 pm
content: The question sounds kinda dumb but how do you properly open these annoying things? Pretty much all your notebook powersupplies seal like that.The same kinda problem occurs with many small thingies that plug into mains like USB powersupplies as well i guess.They all have this strong epoxy around their edges making it either very slow or very destructive to open them.Is there any sort of solvent you could try, or did you ever try any? And if not, is there any good way to get those things open?When i try to open them i just cut and bend the edges with a box cutter and then try to pry them apart with a thin piece of steel. But is there any better way?(i hope this fits here. but if not here, where else?)

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2017, 07:28:25 pm
content: Probably ultrasonic welding. Which means that you can't use chemicals to open it up, as the chemicals that would disolve the joint will also disolve the case material

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 07, 2017, 07:43:03 pm
content: I've always used a vice to squeeze one half of the clam-shell while sharp tapping at the other half near the seam. Another method could be a little smelly and require a lot of clean-up, with some gasoline seeping into the joint as shown (YMMV).

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2017, 08:04:09 pm
content: Huh?Did you ever try that? Does it work?Whydoes it work?

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2017, 08:19:40 pm
content: Quote from: Cliff Matthews on September 07, 2017, 07:43:03 pmWonder if it would work faster if a match is used?What other chemicals could be used?

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2017, 08:49:12 pm
content: Quote from: ez24 on September 07, 2017, 08:19:40 pmHeptane (aka Bestine Thinner), which evaporates with no residual odor.However, it's only going to work if the case was glued instead of welded.

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2017, 09:01:58 pm
content: I always use a relatively large, dull knife. Put the blade in the crack between the two halves like a chiesel and hit the knife with a small hammer or even the handle of a large screwdriver. The idea is to concentrate the force in the slot between the halves. It might take a few blows, but either the glue or the plastic will crack. In either case, the damage will be confined to the crack between the halves. When you finish the repair, use silicone the same color as the case. Usually, the result is an undetectable repair.I've used this on laptop bricks, wall warts, and laptop batteries.Ed

author: Assafl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 07, 2017, 09:06:55 pm
content: I always use a big vice to break the seal. Sometimes diagonally, sometimes along the narrow edge of the charger.At a certain pressure the welding breaks. If you are careful, it will break along the weld.

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 07:13:08 am
content: Just use a small hammer and kick the seal line softly all the way around, again and again, until it pops open. Worked for me every time.

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 07:21:43 am
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on September 08, 2017, 07:13:08 amThis is what I do. The trick is to find a tool heavy enough to give it a good whack, without marking the plastic. The handle of a heavy screwdriver is often my tool of choice.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 09:33:24 am
content: Dome face nylon hammers could be a good tool for this.Perhaps even cut or grind it to a smaller dome in order to focus the force to the weld.If you have to do many of these, cut of the handle and make a jig with a falling weight attached to the back of the nylon piece guided by bearings , just move the supply horizontally and let the weight come down each time in the middle of the weld.

author: ElektroQuark
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 08, 2017, 10:04:09 am
content: Quote from: HighVoltage onTodayat 07:13:08This.IMPORTANT: hold the case with a hand.

author: Don Hills
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2017, 07:36:11 am
content: Quote from: edpalmer42 on September 07, 2017, 09:01:58 pmThis. Personally, I use an old 1 inch chisel with the corners rounded off slightly. Tap with a hammer, multiple small blows are better than a big whack. When it cracks, move along the seam a bit and repeat. It also works well for opening old laptop battery packs.

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2017, 09:11:35 am
content: Heat the sucker up to soften the glue, then get medieval on it

author: krystian
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2017, 11:48:26 am
content: A few times i used vise. You have to put power supply angled 45 degrees and gently squeeze it, after that try on the other corner and it will usually open with crack on thinnest part of the joint.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2017, 03:46:39 pm
content: put it on a ziplock bag and toss it in the freezer overnight first - it makes the plastic less flexable so the joint will crack more easily - atleast till it warms up again.or blow money on freezer spray / pipe-freezer!