AC adapter disassembly

Hello. I'm looking for instruction how to disassemble the AC adaptor for my P-7811 FX and not to spoil it too much, maybe even not at all. It is ADP 120ZB. I'd like to add on\off switch, so I won't have to plug the cable off. It's not a problem for me to add it, I just don't want to spoil it while trying to disassemble it myself. Thanks very much for any tips.

 

I wouldn't recommend it, you could end up damaging your computer.

 

As I said, it's not a problem for me. I have some knowledge of electronics, my father repairs this kinda stuff, so it's highly unlikely that I could damage my laptop. All I need is a how-to for disassembly, the rest will be easy

 

I remember when I bought my p7811fx they said that if my power adapter broke then it would cost over $200 for a new one.

I'm not sure if this would work but I know there are some kinds of switches that you can put on the cord itself that turn on and off if you could find one.
I don't recommend your method but it's your and you can do what you choose

 

This might work, but switch on the case of adapter looks much better than switch on the cord. There are no screws, so it has to have some plastic hooks, but where are they and how to open the case without spoiling plastic or breaking them.

 

Hmm.. That's kinda, out there a bit. I've never heard of such a thing. Why would you not just disconnect it from the rear of your computer?
or, unplug it at the adapter? As opposed to tearing apart a sealed power supply..it may be much easier to just add an in-line switch to the power cable itself. One that you can securely attach the wires to an internal housing. And, then you don't gotta worry about fires, sparks, and ruining your rig cause you happen to throw off the circuitry's resistance.. Just an idea.

 

I haven't opened up one of these power supplies, but I have done some work on small power supplies for underwater lighting applications. My advice is to leave it alone. If you really want to mess about with it, buy a refurbished Targas 180W universal laptop adapter for $35 and mess with that. Then when you realise you've screwed up, you're only out $35 and shipping. You ever wonder why a 120v house switch is that big? Why would you want to put one on a brick . Seriously, a power cord switch rated for 150w is a much safer option. If you can find a black one, no one will know its an add-on.

 

Or if you can plug your ac into a wall outlet that is wall switch so you can just flip it on and off-Just and idea

 

Unfortunately, I'm from Poland. In here, we don't have switches built in wall sockets. It seems that my only option is on-cord switch.

Don't worry, small on/off switches can handle up to 10 Amps for 230V (voltage in Poland), bigger ones up to 16 Amps. After disassembly I could have only one problem, with placing the switch so it would fit and not to make short circuit with anything.

Not a good idea. Even when disconected from laptop, it consumes about 25 Watts of energy, I measured it.

 

You sure? If true, then thats GREAT information.. Ill make sure to pull the plug on the adapter when not using the laptop - before I thought that it wasnt using power when disconnected from the laptop (except for the small green light in the adapter).

 

Unfortunately, that's true (at least in concept, don't know about the actual power consumption). That's why there are power switches on each "mains" (AC) outlet in homes in the UK. You switch the outlet off when not in use.

It's been estimated that a lot of energy production goes to waste just because AC adapters are left plugged-in. Same goes for "instant-on" devices like TV's and home audio electronics. That's one reason my plasma TV's have a master power switch on the back in addition to the "power" switch on the front and remote control. Think about it: If there was no circuitry active, how does the remote work?

After saying all of that, I still leave most everything plugged-in and left in "instant-start" mode. Just another "lazy American". And yes, I know Canadians and people from Central/South America are Americans also, just using the common vernacular....

 

normal standby power consumption is 0.5W not 25W.
there is something wrong with the way you measured that wattage.

 

You wish. As we know P = U * I. In Poland, U = 230V, measured I = 0.11A. So P = 0.11 * 230 ~ 25W. This wattage is not measured, it's calculated.

 

If your power adapter fries gateway will send you a new one and they don't take credit card info or make you send them the old one. I told them mine was making noise and they sent me a new one (which also makes noise, it was before it was a commonly known problem)

 

do explain how you measure this...

what is your online measurements ?

i'll get a tool from a friend and will check as well
if you look here you will see that a 7811 idles at 34w while 6831 at 43w i think that does not compute with your measurement but until i check it out my self that is hypothesis.

btw i am not here to flame you just to find out the truth behind this, i cant believe that the numbers you posted are accurate just because they seem way too high, not because you posted them. so nothing personal here. have a nice day.

 

Being from NY, I like the extra heat from that big brick. However if you don't, I would recommend 2 solutions before putting one on the supply. First you can use an Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Remote Control grounded receptacle. Target has these on line for $16. The second which is pretty cool is a Belkin remote surge protector. This sells for around $50. Just hit the small remote transmitter !!!

 

I measured it using digital meter. I switch it to AC amperage and plugged it in-line on one of the strands of transformer's primary, just as you plug the meter in when you want to measure amperage. It showed 0.11 A, when laptop was unplugged from adapter. Top amperage was 0.46 A, on high performance, stressed by 3dmark 2006 (with battery not fully loaded), while lowest was, of course, on power saver - about 0.16 A (without battery).

Just to make it clear, it's not the power consumed by laptop, it's the power consumed by adapter and laptop. Bear in mind that adapter's insides consume power too.

BTW if you see any mistakes in my writing, point them, it will be helpful for me. As you could have read earlier, my native language is not English