Is 19v to hot for a 29?

Hello NBR! new here.

Had the CF-29ETK for a couple years now with only a few unsolicited tear downs. This spring while visiting the fam in the US my ac adapter went out. So as I had only a day left in the states before heading back off the grid to the land of 6 months until your shipment arrives I quick ran to best buy or stuffmart can't remember and bought a universal ac adapter. Has all the diff plugs etc etc. So it worked fine until a few weeks ago I started to notice what I thought was signs of a failing batt. It was charging fully in way too short of a time and discharging very quickly. Then after a week or so of that I noticed that I had red light while connected to the ac. Another week it seemed the plug was going because I had to "jiggle it just a little bit" to get a charge.

Now there is no joy.... no lights, no charge no nufum! It won't power up with ac or batt. DMM says 19v at the plug on the ac adaptor. I get 19v inside the jack in the puter too. I just don't know where to go from there. Batt is toast though. But why can't I run it on ac? Weird Science!

So now I see that 19v may be to hot. Is that my problem?

Any ideas would be nice.

Thanks in advance!
Brian

 

Oh yeah, forgot this bit of info. I took out the batt jungle engineered a plug to connect it to my solar at 13-15v fluctuating just to see if it would take anything. It took just enough to bring the red light on. I hadn't seen any light until doing that. So the ac give me nothing but the batt (I assume if i had a good one) gives me something.

 

19 V is way to hot ! CF-29 take max. 16 V

First you burn't your battery, and by running it without battery i think you blow up a fuse.

 

Kinda confirms my thinking... just amazed it went 9 months takin' it like a toughbook I guess! Any ideas of a fix other than the new batt and external charger that I have on order?

Thanks
Brian

 

You may get lucky by replacing a fuse on the motherboard. It is also possible that you toasted the entire motherboard. I don't know if the fuse would blow with higher than normal voltage. Usually fuses blow on something drawing too much amperage. The fact it ran for months being over volted kind of proves my conclusion. My guess is that the motherboard finally gave up from too much voltage and overheated from the 19v.

 

If i'm not mistaken the universal supplies change voltage to suit the laptop used
That is why they are called universal
If you measure open voltage its not a true judge of what the laptop was recieving

Waiting for others that know more that I do on this subject to chime in though

Anyway that being said ,I would never trust an adapter other than the original panasonic 16v , the IBM 16v substitute mentioned often , or the 15.5v lind dc

 

Post model number of charger and we can do more checking for you.

 

I sense from your post that you found us after the problem manifested itself, so I'll give you a pass. This is however a classic example of why its a good thing to do some research on the forum and maybe even read some stickies. This has all been hashed over before. Hoping you get out of this with just a fuse and a new battery,
CAP

 

The allowable increase or decrease on voltage rating will be +/- 5% only. Morethan or lower than that can give you trouble. A few universal adapter specially those made in china are not recommended as most of them are not inpected I mean do not pass on quality control procedure. They just made it to sell and make money. They don't care if your house be burn or your battery exploded. For those who uses a PCMCIA card, be very carefull on using those type of card(QC unlabelled) it may damaged your unit or the card itself died without a warning.


ohlip

 

Ok, followup responses.

Denrosten, I realized you said "running it without batt blew a fuse" Never ran it without batt. I did test it without the battery after it fried.

The universal charger is the iGo model 6630076--100
and the tip was tested open circuit. I had originally assumed that it would adjust as Tomcat said.

CaptDogfish i have been here many times. Read all the stickies over the couple years. Used the tuturials to change out HD's figure out that the jumpy cursor was because of the GPS bug, gleaned info on using Ubuntu etc etc. I have also spent a good deal of time on the phone with Panasonic tech in the past... Not new here just don't have enough knowledge to give input. Plus I live on an island off the grid and internet is hard to come by. But you are right that I registered after finding the most recent prob. Couldn't find anyone who had a similar prob. Found lots of batt threads but nothing exactly the same. Actually thought I registered before but the site couldn't figure out who I was. Maybe I used a diff email. Thought my handle was Toughy... but i found his one post on here and it wasn't me... Maybe that was a diff forum

Thanks again.
Brian

 

I looked on their website but did not see the exact model you have by part #

Specs for one I looked at state

Anyway what's done is done

Don't try any other chargers ,stick with the pansonic

 

Some of the universal adapter has an auto voltage only on the input but not on the output and they have a manual switching from 24Vdc to 5Vdc.


ohlip

 

Here is the only info I could find. Igo adjusts the voltage via the different tips. The problem is that 19v and 15.6v laptops use the same size tip. The power supply itself is not auto sensing for the voltage.

Brand: iGO - Original IGO Part.
Description: iGo 6630076-0100 AC Power Adapter - Bulk package.
Input: 100-240V 50/60Hz 1.5A
Output: 19.5V 90W Max

* Model: 6630076-0100
* Manufactured by: iGo
* Manufacturer URL:

iGo 6630076-0100 AC Power Adapter :: 19.5V 90W Max [6630076-0100]
* Model: 6630076-0100
* SKU: E10T27615939
* UPC: 337B1Z1R4T57


Panasonic Toughbook CF-29

This device is compatible with the patented iGo tip technology. iGo tips automatically determine the precise amount of power based on the manufacturer specifications. See below for the various charging solutions that are available for your device. And while you are at it grab a tip for your other electronic devices.

Tips

*
Laptop tip 210 for everywhereMAX and wallMAX
*
Laptop tip S4 for wall110 ice90 & everywhere130

 

Thanks for that info
That explains how it is done
Without a switch , so they are not that smart
If Brian measured the voltage at the tip and had 19v ,he indeed cooked it

 

Based on the specs above it has a fixed output of 19.5Vdc only which is not suitable to cf-29 on a long run.


ohlip

 

not sure why the numbers don't match on iGo website but this is the animal that I have. There are two "slim" versions. I think this is the one. It more closely matches the price. a google search of the model number i gave turns up several results but they are not what I have... go figure

"iGo" Laptop Travel Charger - Slim at iGo, Inc.

So if I was feeding 19v into the ac jack is there any hope.... if so how do I determine the fix?

Thanks again
Brian

 

Not to be a PITA, but
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/321771-i-broke-my-cf-28-help.html
There are more. The problem with the one size fits all, as someone else has pointed out, is the output is controlled by the plug. The CF-29 shares its plug design with at least some Gateway 19v, Sony 16 & 19v, and IBM 16 & 20v I think. There may well be more. So you have to pick your tip by number or markings, not by appearance. Its probably a good idea to check with a meter unless you are positive you have the right one. The bright side is, we have been here before so you aren't without some guidance.
CAP
Smoke? I didn't see any smoke!

 

@Cap,
PITA asside!
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/488658-cf-29-not-charging.html

This is the thread that I read about a month ago, on 11/16 actually (I know the date because it is on the cf-29 service manual file i downloaded that day, which doesn't show the fuses BTW) when I had the MB out trying to figure out where the fuse was. Followed your ac socket testing advice here by "wiggling it just a little bit" as I said in my original post....

I can take it bro! dish it all you want just HELP cause I can't stand using this freeeeeeking Hateway!!!! My kid has ripped 6 keys off it and the screen only gives the top 2 inches to view! I am looking at how to post a pic so you can all laugh!

Still can't find any of those Ohlip posts with the fuse locations for a 29... seen the posts for the 28 though... Same MB?

Brian

I couldn't take it. I had to let you see what posting this message looks like. Emancipate me from the HATEWAY!!!!!! h

 

Brian

Teo will see this later and make a comment

There has been at least two members here that have had to replace the fuse on a cf-29

When I give out advice on screen replacement ,etc
I now add remove the ac adapter and battery first

Here is one link
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/358332-bad-battery-connection.html

Oh before I forget

Clean your room

 

Alex, This is all that is in my room! We are packed up ready to move out into the bush.... 10 miles walk to the road and 2 days travel to the nearest powerpole let alone internet. Just waiting on you guys to get me that schematic so I can get a move on! Kidding really but we do only have about 1 week left in the land of internet access.

My hut awaits.... For real if I had turned the camera... there are three bushmen sleeping beside me as I type... oh shoot went to take their pic but they aren't asleep. I guess my one and a half screens is keeping them awake!

Brian

My firstborn standing next to the hut the day the bushmen set the posts... Just in case you thought i was kidding

 

Here are some pix of a mk3 motherboard fuses. My experience with electronics tells me they are marked f1, f2 f3 etc..Followed by a 2a or 5a etc.. I guess that the t indicates time delay. I don't know what the n indicates. I may be incorrect as I don't have specific info on the cf 29


F2 is a Littel 494005.nr 5a
F3 is a Littel 494005.nr 5a

 

Deere now that gives me something to chew on... GREAT Thank you!
I will try to get the MB out and check them asap
Brian

 

Good luck as they are VERY tiny. That's why I included the ruler in the photo. I am too old to solder that tiny stuff. Not sure I could have when I was young either. I must admit that I personally would end up replacing the mb just to save my wits.

 

I am still hoping the external battery charger and new battery i have ordered will be my fix.

If not and it comes to actually having to replace these fuses I will take these pics to someone with super steady hands. I am a bit shakey!

But thanks for the pics it gives me something to work with when and if ...

I just needed something to show the little chinese guy on the corner with a soldering iron!

Brian

 

I don't see any signs yet of snow at your place
We just have a bit of rain where I live
It's nice to have snow on Christmas
Here is a link to the manual and schematic
Toughbook File Source

Btw ,fuse replacement is done by soldering 1 wire to each end of the blown fuse contact and a larger fuse is haywired in like the smaller GM style

 

Thanks Alex!!!
for the schematic
Nope.... not much snow this year at
15°22'46.94"S
166°49'4.38"E

Brian

 

VANUATU , somewhat close to new guinea

 

somewhat...

 

I will send anyone who wants it, a box of fresh Northeastern USA snow.

 

We have snow on the ski hills only
Vancouver Island has mild winters ,not like Ohio

 

Just got my set of tires on after the mass attacks last week. Haven't don a in the snow YouTube video yet still debating on it since the palm rest has a breach..

GL on those fuses my hands are shaky even before coffee or monster.

 

Looks amazingly similar to my Targus 90W Laptop Charger, except that mine has the side tap for the Targus Auto/Dual Digital Device Power Adapter which allows me to change a secondary device (like my Nokia cell phone) while powering/charging my CF-29 Toughbook.

BTW: both the main power adapter and the Auto/Dual Digital Device Power Adapter take the iGo tips.

I've been using this unit for a over a year with zero problems.

 

Ok, TopCop you may have brought us back around the tree and we are now biting our own tail! Which is kinda my fear.

All the other posts (that I can find, the search function here still is counter intuitive to me but that is another subject) where folks applied over voltage had bad results within minutes or hours. My problem didn't manifest for 9 months of using this charger. Which would make me think that the iGo tip may actually be giving correct voltage which would mean the problem may not be a fuse. Thoughts???

I am no electronition so I need a tutorial on how to test the tip not open circuit. I can wield a multimeter unless those 220v wires won't stay touching the MM probes.... Note to all: don't hold the 220v wires to the probes with your fingers! Especially when you are balancing on 2 stacked up chairs working on your second story balcony overhead light... unless you need your nose and ear hair straightened...but that is another issue...

Brian

 

Number on Tip?

 

706 REV A
on the tip

 

That tip #706 is listed as fitting a HP XE2 among other laptops. I choose the XE2 because I own one and I know it has the same size connector as a CF29. But the XE2 uses 19 volts not 15.6 like the CF29.

IGO xe2

That tip is in the 700 series.
That tip puts out 19volts.
It works on the Slim and iGo Green.
IGO does not list a tip in the 700 series that will work with a CF29.


Although Topcop has an adapter that LOOKS similar, the internals are most likely very different.
Here is the listings IGO has for a CF 29

IGO CF 29

These are the only adapters that IGO makes tips for a CF 29.
wall110
ice90
everywhere130
everywhereMAX
wallMAX

Sorry, but I think you toasted something in your laptop.
IGO's website sucks for finding information.

 

"IGO's website sucks for finding information." AMEN to that!!! I cursed the site and shut the browser window after 20 minutes while trying to post some findings in my last post and gave up and just plain answered your question!

I found the info you gave but couldn't determine how to figure out what their majic tips are accomplishing. Only that this brick puts out 19v to the tip.

Well looks like other than handing this thing over to the little chinese guy to see if he can figure it out what I fried, I am looking at a replacement battery and an external charger.

Thanks to all of you for putting up with my ignorance!

Blessings and Merry Christmas
Brian

Afterthought.... I still can't believe it took that kind of overcharging abuse for 9 months. Living up to it's name I guess.

 

The battery must as acted as a capacitor and helped with reducing the input voltage to the motherboard

When it failed it allowed higher voltage to reach the motherboard and poof

Best of the season to you Brian

 

Mine is using the #104 tip; but that's the Targus number, as it came with the power adapter kit.

The iGo tips I have accumulated are for the Targus Auto/Dual Digital Device Power Adapter.

BTW: the Targus Laptop Charger shows: OUTPUT 15V-24V ― 90W MAX

 

IGO uses the same kind of circuitry in their tips as Targus/Kensington do on their universal adapters; there are multiple sets of conductors all the way to the tip.

One pair carries the power that is actually fed to the laptop or other appliance; the other sets connect to a resistance bridge built into the tip that tells the power pack what voltage to regulate the output to, and what amperage to set the current limit to for overload protection.

The iGo is newer technology and a bit more sophisticated than the others; that's why it needs more conductors.

As for what you fried; I'm afraid it's probably worse than you imagine. Odds are that you fried something in the power supply/regulation section of the motherboard; they are designed around a lower input voltage and eventually gave up due to excessive electrical/thermal stress.

It is entirely possible your battery is perfectly OK; the circuitry on the MB controls basic voltage regulation before it gets to the battery. Th voltage output of your iGo is still nominal with respect to the rating of the tip; so you'll probably be fine with it as long as you can get the correct tip.

mnem
Woops...you let the magic smoke out. :GEEK:

 

So mnem, do you spose that even if iGoed and melted "something in the power supply/regulation section of the motherboard" that I could still have any success with the external charger?

Brian

 

I doubt it. You state you have 19V inside the machine; this indicates something is toast at the MB and the power pack is still functioning within tolerances. Dropping the input voltage now is a whole lot of too little, too late.

You need the services of someone qualified to do component-level repair or you need to be looking for a new MB; I'd bet a dollar on it.

Believe me, you are not the first victim of the Sony/Panasonic power supply confusion issue. (The tip you are using is for Sony, amongst others.)

mnem
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...

 

I remember reading somewhere the newer (yellow tip) Toughbooks don't survive over volts but the older (black tip) ones do. I found this info searching for a power supply for my 72. Was that remotely correct?

 

No, as has been stated here before +/- 5% is considered safe. 19-20v is 25% or more overvoltage. Way back, I think it was our lost friend Gravitar who first posted that some Sony bricks would work with the old style TBs and that some were 20v and would let out at least a little of the Magic Smoke.
CAP

 

No magic smoke here.... well um not for the last 12 or so years anyway
Adamwest what did you mean by yellowtip and blacktip?

So lets say the MB is toasted. Are all 29 MB's the same or do I need to look for a specific one. I believe I can pull of a MB swap a whole lot easier than I can solder a grain of rice to a gnat! It is a 29ETKCWKM

Brian

 

Black tips (M250) fit the earlier Toughbooks, pre-CF-29/CF-18. Yellow (but not always yellow) tips fit the later models. AFAIK all Toughbooks take 15.6 to 16v power supplies.
Check with Ohlip or TBtech29 on the mobo swaps, I don't think they all interchange.
CAP

 

You need a mk1 or mk2 motherboard for a direct replacement. Mk1 is 1.2ghz. mk2 is 1.3ghz.

 

Confirmed, deere...is correct. BTW, I am sick of plugging and unplugging my adaptor on a wall AC when I'm doing a mod for CF-29, 28, m34, 30 and etc. So. I decided to have one adaptor for panasonic that can do it all in one unit. I came up with this;


ohlip

EDIT: just a word of precautionary meassure, make sure you do it right. innerside will the +(positive) and the outerside will be your -(gound). I also made a rubber cap for each so that if the other one is in use I can simply cover the other one.

 

Another option would be to find the small power pigtail for a CF-29/30 docking station. Look at item 280604119584 on eBay.

 

mnem Bad news and accurate news are often confused! Bad is relative for me at this point. If I can accurately diagnose and have the correct parts on the next shipment to my island then it is good news really.

Going through the same things with my LandCruiser. Gotta have the right parts when I open the box. If they are not the correct ones. Then it is bad news!!!! I can make alot of things from a coconut and a fishbone but not a microchip or a carburetor!

Thanks