Power adapter for CF-51 III - go Panasonic or cheap chinese?

I've got dual core CF51 and need an AC adapter for the road so I can leave the factory 8A unit plugged into the docking station. Any of these being sold on Ebay for cheap worth a ()? I'm assuming the answer is no but before I spend $60 or more on an OEM unit I thought I'd ask the gurus here.

Thanks

 

I wouldn't even consider the cheap Chinese ones and EVERYONE here will agree!!! You DON'T NEED an 8 amp one, you can go with a normal 5A one (same as for the CF-30's/31's), it just won't charge the battery as fast.

I can sell you an OEM 8 amp one for $55 shipped if you'd like, as I just got ONE in stock right now (I have HUNDREDS of the normal ones).

Thanks

 

Actually I'd rather the 5amp model as it's a good bit smaller, more road worthy!

 

My choices:

1. OEM Panasonic
2. Lind Electronics
3. IBM (certain models)
4. Targus / Kensington

NO "Off-Brand" Chinese junk!

 

Topcop! (What is your real name??? Somehow I forgot???? lol), I want your title!!! "Toughbook Aficionado"

Okay, carry on! haha

EDIT: I just checked your profile on TBT and you're signed up and visit regularly, but NEVER posted over there???? That's odd?? Or true?

 

Duplicate Posting: Please Remove

 

I've used the IBM 16V 4.55A 72W AC/DC Combo Adapter 22P9021 for my 51mk3, 18 & 29 with no issues using both house power and car power. You can find them on eBay cheap...


Tom

 

Johnny

Lurking on ocassion.

 

stick with panasonic..Driller

 

Aren't they all made in China in any case? The original Panasonic one for my Toughbook W8 is.

 

It's not where they were made but how well they are made. About 3 years ago I bought a cheap one and 4 months later I heard a loud buzzing noise...it was coming from the cheap one and it was HOT. Thank god I was home at the time.

 

Adding to that; even though certain OEM Panasonic power adapters were/are made in the People's Republic of China, they are made to Panasonic's specs and are subject to Panasonic Quality Assurance ( QA) backing.

 

Someone here or on another TB forum said the 5A one is fine but to keep an eye on it. It should be fine but don't leave it plugged into your laptop unattended as there is a CHANCE it could overheat and cause a fire.
I refurbed a CF-51 DuoCore for my brother and set him up with a 5A and told him not to leave it connected while unattended. I've been looking for an 8A for him but whenever I find one, it's more than I can spend. What my brother has works. If it isn't broken, don't fix it. I'd like to upgrade him to Core2Duo CPU sometime. Maybe the 8A would be necessary for that upgrade. Can anyone comment on that please?

 

Yes! I beleive to watch it out If your battery and AC adaptor are the knock offs from china that doesn't pass on QC. Also like the PCMCIA with USB 2.0 with bluetooth or the PCMCIA with combo USB 2.00. Yes! it works for a couple time and then suddenly it will "kaput"Lol. Most people/buyer don't know this until its too late for them to understand what I am talking about.

For better unserstanding the 5A oem adaptor either Panasonic, Ibm or Sorry( I mean Sony) will work fine. It is normal that some battery get hot but not to the limit when charging. It will then go to normal state when it is fully charge. Some brand of battery automatically shut off like the Dull latitude XFR when it is in full charged of course it will be done when the adaptor is plug on.

I always left my pc plug in all the time when I am at home with no problem.

Maybe the one you read is from ebay seller that doesn't listed the actual part no. so that buyer will be fool. he/she listed only for an specific unit of toughbook so that it sell on a higher price while most AC adaptor of toughbook are compatible to each other.

Maybe you can't beleive on me that I only use one adaptor for CF-28, CF-M34, CF-29, CF-18, CF-19, CF-30, CF-51, CF-T4, CF-T2, CF-Y5, CF-T5, CF-W2, CF-W5, CF-71, CF-72, CF-73 name it! The adaptor with part no. CF-AA1653A. I added extra plug with barel type. It means that this adaptor now has two output plug. I use IBM adaptor 2 in 1(combo) when I am travelling.

I even use Hp adaptor for Getac W130 and motorola ML850. I just change its plug to match on to the unit as long as it is with the same voltage or with +/-10% to its rated specs

Hope it helps.

ohlip

 

My adapters are genuine Panasonic.

The comment about the possibility of the battery wanting to draw more than 5 Amps from the adapter was made either on this forum or on the toughbook talk forum but I think it was on this forum by one of the veteran gurus. The concern wasn't just that the battery would get warm, it was that it could cause a fire.

BTW, the 1653A also works with the CF-73.

Thanks for the list of other TB's it works with.

Do you charge two TB's at once? Are they both on and in use while you're charging them? Could you supply a pic? Did you solder, tape or use nuts? Did you try hold on to as much insulation as possible or did you just strip it off?

 

No worry about it as long as you use the oem one not the knock offs.

Remember that i use one adaptor for all the unit mentioned but I added extra plug on it. its like a "Y" type output plug with diferent tip.


ohlip

 

My actually experience:
I bought an used elitebook. It comes with an third party power adapter with the correct values of voltage and ampere like it should be for this model.
But 1. I found out, it jammed the TV antenna signal and also the wifi signal was dropped by 2.
And secondly the unit become very hot!.
So I bought an OEM-power-adapter for the machine at the bay and everything is, like it should be.

 

My brother had a similar experience regarding the TV with his Thinkpad.
he purchased from a very knowledgeable and reliable member of a TP forum who bundled it with a third party power adapter of which he had sold with numerous TPs. My brother noticed interference with his TV and I think maybe a buzz when he plugged it in to ANY outlet in his apartment. He tried several high end extension cords and and surge suppressors but the interference persisted. I got him a genuine IBM from the bay and the interference is gone.

 

You cut the wire to splice the y-connector in?
I've always read that the Voltage has to be spot on bu the Amperage can be up to 10% less than spec. If the battery/laptop/adapter has circuitry to regulate what it draws from the adapter, a lower Amperage adapter shouldn't be a problem. Keeping an eye on it can't hurt. If there isn't any such circuitry, keeping an eye on it would be a good idea just to make sure the place doesn't catch fire.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/594684-power-adapter-compatability-question.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/pan...-toughbook-power-supplies-other-than-oem.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/193930-cf-50-power-adapter-can-anything-else-used.html


We have been through this so many times my hair (what little I have left) is beginning to hurt. Amps is Amps and Volts is Volts, the determining factor is the quality of the adapter, some of the OEM adapters for the CF-18 and CF-07 were obviously made in the same factory as the IBM adapters.
Some of us who state that you MUST use only OEM adapters are like the guys at the car shows who spend years looking for a NOS tail light lens for their '57 T' Bird. They want it, they must have it, they need it for the fancy car show which requires authenticity, but it has nothing to do with the guy behind them being able to see the brake light. Maybe we need a power supply sticky, not that anyone would read it.
CAP

 

What's the problem with the Bluetooth/USB PCMCIA card?
I just ordered one for my CF-73.

 

You will be fine too as long as it is from a reputable manufacturer. What I am saying is that those product that are not gone through "Quality control standard".. You know most of the electronics product with name brand are made in China, right? It will be fine coz it has gone thru what the manufacturer standard. But some nasty businessman from that area, copied/fake/knock offs those product and then listed on bay.

To answer with those oem adaptor that got a problem with the right rated voltage and rated current, I'll say you have defective unit. Its like saying, for every basket of aple there is always a bad one. You'll never know eventhough it came from thorough inspection.

Also in addition to this topic. For your info, the 16Vdc adaptor or any adaptor with rated label is always morethan on to what is rated on the label at no load when you tested by VOM. When you tested it and the result is below 10% its rated label. It means it starting to fail. Maybe some wax coating are melting already or maybe its capcitor.

ohlip

 

IBM MODEL 92P1032. 16 volts and 7.5 amps. Soldered and heat shrunk the correct connector for the newer Toughbooks and I have a 7.5 amp PS for less than $20.00. I use it constantly with my CF 51 dual core. I even built a spare one. In my vehicle I use a dual voltage IBM unit that works wonderfully.
If you check the UL number, it will tell you who actually made it. IBM and Panasonic have had various PS's made by the same company in China.
It's not as important that a product was made in China, as WHO made it in China.
I do believe in buying locally made products when available. Unfortunately that is not always possible.

 

I thought the voltage HAD TO match but the Amps could be up to 10% lower than required.