Mixing Laptop Adapter sizes?

Hey,
My laptop uses a 5mm by 2.5mm jack on the cord that came with it. I want to use a cord with a jack that is 6mm by 3.5mm for lengthy reasons detailed in another thread. Has anyone tried connecting these two sizes? I am curious if people think they will fit snugly? I don't want to have to splice cords together.

 

You're talking power cords?

I definitely wouldn't go around connecting whatever to whatever... and splicing cords?!

 

Let me get this straight. The laptop is designed to receive a 2.5mm jack? You want to use a 3.5mm jack? 2.5mm != 3.5mm. Please never splice a power cable if you think two different sizes of components are interchangeable . You are really asking for trouble if you start cutting wires up.

 

It is feasible if you can find a suitable adaptor similar to this. However, you also need to check three other aspects: (a) The DC voltage is correct; (b) the DC polarity is correct; and (c) the PSU power rating is sufficient.

John

 

Thanks John!

(a) Both DC voltages are the same (20V)
(b) The polarity is the same for both (Centre positive)
(c) The PSU power rating is MORE than my original at 230W versus 120W which is the whole reason I am switching in the first place. I need more watts.

Think this will work if I pick up a dc tip adapter?

 

(a) - Good. If it were even slightly off that would be a bad thing.
(b) - Definitely worth making sure that matches .
(c) - That isn't a problem. The PSU will pull only the wattage it needs to, up to the maximum before blowing up (seen it happen).

So long as your careful with splicing (if you do that) and check things with a multimeter after you are done. Naturally what John pointed out would be the safer option.

If you are in the US and run into trouble finding that part at a more 'common' store you might be able to find it on DigiKey or Mouser or Microcenter (odd but they do carry some specialty components).

 

Ah I used digikey to get some pretty sweet DACs for my uni project.

 

Thanks Greg. I will look for a size adapter. My whole problem is that I have upgraded the mxm card in my notebook and using a meter, under load my stock adapter is pulling 123W and its rated for 120W haha. I caught this right away before the adapter burned itself out, but if I want to run this new card I need an adapter with more watts.

 

Doesn't Targus or someone make a DC adapter that has switchable plugs?

 

Quite a few aftermarket adapters have some sort of universal plug. Most targus adapters are actually rebranded LiteON units, but yeah, my APA05US has 3 tips that are interchangeable. They all are the same size though, but i got L1, L2, L3.

 

Yes but the Targus ones don't offer enough watts.

I can't find an dc tip converter anywhere that has a 6mm-6.5mm female jack. Tried the 3 sites above. Any other ideas?