Power adapter differences, plugs???

Okay I thought I got a screaming deal on eBay for two genuine Panasonic power adapters... Well turns out they have the wrong cable ends. Specifically where they plug into the computer.

I usually ignore the part numbers, since many of us know just how many part numbers there are and that "just about" every Panasonic adapter fits every Panasonic computer. So I thought... I contacted seller, already have a response back willing to refund me not even ten minutes later (that is awesome service!!!). But eBay tosses out links after hitting send to similar auctions, and I find one with the same adapter, and evan a picture of the wrong plug, claiming to fit my computers...

In the recesses of my memory, I seem to remember my OLD CF-25 having a power plug with a center pin.

So my question I guess is first where is the split? Not that it really matters I guess other than for curiosity. But I am curious. These are part number CF-AA1639.

Then next question... I got both of these to my door for under $20. So cost wise it is worth "fixing" them with the correct cable end. Unless there is something internally (poor quality switching or something) that would make this a bad idea??? Not worried about wiring it incorrectly. I got that well managed.

Finally, anyone have ideas where to get the correct ends for cheap??? Maybe even free if someone has some bad power supplies kicking about? I could get a couple chinese adapters for $7-10 each, they are worthless as power supplies, but maybe the end would be good enough...

EDIT for more thoughts:
Okay I have had bad experiences with the cheap Chinese adapters frying the power port on motherboard, or in the case of some the internal plug in power module. But how about the universal style from a reputable manufacturer like Targus? Info mostly as cost wise I have no real need to power up any computer other than a Panasonic, and I doubt I will ever own anything except a Panny or a Mac.

EDIT yet another question... lol:
Seeing just generic replacement ends... I LIKE this idea! It the Panasonic end for CF-19, CF-30 (and many more) 5.5mm x 2.5mm???

 

here
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Power...-Solder-Tip-/301432869437?hash=item462ecc923d

I put new ends on all the time..
cf28 takes old style..there's a list here somewhere.

here you go.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/toughbook-parts-commonality.343439/

 

Shawn as always, your the god of Panasonic information!!! I type out a book, you answer in a couple lines... You rule! Okay so 5.5mm x 2.5mm it is! I even found some right angled ones.

 

Excellent...I have occasionally replaced the entire cord assembly.
Only on certain adapters though..
On my main one at home, I found an assembly that has an in line switch near the plug end. Comes in handy....

 

Why, lol? I am guessing the reasoning behind this is to prevent spikes and power arcs on the plug, and hence f-ing up the cable end and the ToughBook power jack? Pondering this brings me to conclusions, and another question.

So with this in mind, I can imagine it would be better to unplug the power adapter from the AC side first??? Not that I ever try to do this deliberately....

That leads me to the next question. Do the inductive chokes (black annoying big round things near cable end) actually do anything to help against arcing when unplugging an adapter from the computer?

I am thinking the cheap chinese adapters I have gotten a time or two in the past, didn't have these. I wonder if this was the killer???? Granted it took months to become a problem, but the cable end and power jack looked like crap... Like archy burnt crap.

 

A switch like this?

 

That's not the exact one, but it's the same idea.

It's easier to flip the switch than unplug the adapter. It also saves on wear and tear on the dc connector on the laptop. They are prone to wear out.
This is on the CF52 which never leaves the current location.

Cheap China adapters are cheap the whole way around. Arcing could be poor metal, por plastic, and or poor circuitry.

CWB32, Larry can offer more information than I can on this subject.

 

"That leads me to the next question. Do the inductive chokes (black annoying big round things near cable end) actually do anything to help against arcing when unplugging an adapter from the computer?"

absolutely not .
those chokes are for keeping rf noise generated within the switchmode supply from"getting into" the comp .
it also serves the reverse function .

arcing is mostly the function of :
voltage across the terminals and the current being drawn at the time of disconnect .
dc has more of a chance of creating a sustained arc that ac ... the reason being the zero crossing of the waveform 60 times a second (in the US) .

 

Thanks guys VERY INFORMATIVE!!! Okay got some right angle adapters on the way, and I think I will order one of those switches...

 

Ughhh lol the right angle plugs didn't work. They are too short and foul with the recessed ports on the CF-19 and CF-30. Works fine on my CF-T7 though... So I ordered some more straight ones and a couple of those switches. I guess just the switches would have done the trick with the right angle plugs, but whatever lol.

I saw some right angled pigtailed connectors I am sure would work. But making a clean pigtail connection on a plug in the environment these put up with, hard to do.

 

a real bugaboo (now there's a word one does not oft get a chance to use) with any of these type of connectors that have a high insertion/removal rate as well as mechanical stresses from repeated bending/flexing of the wire is strain relief of the wire at the connector , is the high failure rate .
a vast majority of failures , barring dogs , little kids and those with the grace of an elephant on a pogo stick , are simply from everyday use .
this small area really catches hell .

a right angle connector may "lower the profile" but really does nothing in the area of minimizing the flexing/strain .
i have used combinations of different diameter heat shrink to build up a flexible extension that provides a radius bend instead of kinked over/90 degree bending .
while this is not a total solution , it does increase the service life .

 

I will try the heat shrink trick. I was going to use a little but anyways since I have several hundred feet worth of it kicking around...

Good point on the straight adapters, and thanks for making me feel a little better about spending the money twice, LOLZ! Hey I am sure I can find a dozen uses for the others, and since I only ordered five pieces...