P150HM Power Adapter Problem

Hi folks,

So, I'm currently in Manila in the Philippines and my P150HM power adapter has died

The power LED doesn't turn on when I plug it in.
I've tried replacing the power cord and also trying it in different power sockets but no effect.

I've searched around Manila for a replacement but there are no Clevo resellers here. I've got some strange looks from many, many electrical shops when I tell them I need a replacement laptop power adapter and I pull out this massive brick from my bag.

The closest power adapter I can find is a universal power adapter but it only supplies DC Output of 4A - less than half of what the P150HM requires. (9.47A)

I'm going to order a new power adapter from either the US or UK and have it shipped to me but I really need to use my laptop for work.

Are there any electrical engineers around that might be able to help me fix my existing adapter?
I'm willing to pull it apart and check for internal faults (hell, it can't get any more broken)

Thanks,
- Drax

 

Forgive me stating the obvious but you have a) checked the fuse in the plug and b) ensured the electrical voltage is both high enough and even?

I say the latter because I have lived in so many developing countries where the current fluctuates. Surge protectors help for one side but I am not geekie enough to know if it damages the power adapter when there is a big drop.

I'm sure someone will give you a better answer but I've had electrical current horrors in some places and the Clevo brick is a whopper! Ask Jack-Ibo in Oz if not as he is a Clevo reseller and may have more "local" knowledge. Just find his username and pm him.

 

What does your dealer or reseller say about this?
_

 

just buy an universal one. they have several adapters for several notebook models as well as selectable voltage. there are hundreds on ebay if you can't find one around.

 

I definitely wouldn't do that. I did that a couple of years ago when I was in Spain and couldn't get an adapter for a Samsung and it was a disaster (it caught fire). Also they have very limited connector plugs and it's unlikely they will they have one that fits Clevo or an adapter for Clevo's massive voltage. Not worth the risk IMO...........

 

Pull it apart. Look for capacitors that are swollen & stinky. Look for fuses that are popped & burnt. These are the two common easy to fix things that can get you a cheap fix.

Both will have specs printed right on them, enabling you to find a replacement online.

If you open it, and don't see anything obvious like this, you might need the schematics, and/or someone who really understands the PSU/PSUs in general to fix it.

As an alternative to your adapter, I've spotted this one before and thought it looked like a cool product (reputable name) and a match:
Targus Home/Office 180W AC Power Laptop Charger | APA05US

Might be on Ebay, or some distribution channel that is closer to you, than ordering a stock one from the US, should you need.

 

I just took that from the site that Lauski linked to....... It is not that the makes of universal chargers are dodgy it is that they do not have socket adapter plugs for anything but the most mainstream models (and usually older models). The one I bought was a top brand from a famous computer store but it was not my exact Samsung model and so where it plugs into the laptop which seemed ok - was not. It caught fire like I said........

 

I would recommend going through your reseller to get an adapter for your machine that is specific to the unit. I have seen a lot of generic adapters fry machines (situations similar to Lucia) and with the clevo/sager units, they are not often specifically supported by those adapters. It's not worth the risk and it is better to get something you absolutely know is designed for the machine.

 

Good call, good call. You can do this, like I did with a Kensington Adapter. Give them a call. Because as Lucia pointed out, sometimes numbers on paper aren't enough.

The adapter I had from Kensington matched numerically what my Clevo needed, yet a rep told me that for "some reason" they had internal notes that my Clevo wasn't going to be compatible with it.

Sorry, I should have said, here's an adapter that caught my eye, but stipulated, make sure to double check for certainty with the manufacturer before buying it.

Fire = bad.

 

Hi folks,

Here is a quick update and some further details:

I took the power adapter to a reputable computer repair shop in the mall of asia (MASSIVE shopping mall in Asia)
They took it apart and showed me - it's all burnt inside (and unrepairable according to the shop)

When the incident happened it took out all of the power sockets in my hotel room (I'm in a modern hotel so wasn't expecting this sort of problem)

I didn't smell any burning at the time or noticed anything untoward.

Now I'm beginning to think that the issue may have taken out other components in my laptop as it won't turn on at all - not even a flicker. The battery might just be completely drained but I'm suprised there isn't a tiny bit of power left in the battery as windows normally shuts down with 8 percent left.

Total nightmare, I've only had the laptop for a few weeks - it's brand new.

I've contacted my reseller, with a bit of luck I can get a new power supply shipped over.

Many thanks for all your helpful advice and information.
- Drax

 

Hell it sounds like a surge.......

That's a drag I hope it didn't fry your Clevo (fingers xed) but I have worked in India and all over the world and the hotel might be posh but they all get their electricity from the same place. The systems and circuits are often really dodgy and the electricity companies practice "load shedding" and all kinds of things and people jack into it illegally too so it fluctuates like crazy, short circuits and all sorts. Even in Spain we put switches in bathrooms which are illegal in most other countries.

For future reference I always travel with a surge protector - good for storms too... Good luck!

 

Hopefully it's just a drained battery and a new power supply will fix it. But- it sounds as though you had a power surge and it knocked everything out. Worst case scenario, you may have a fried motherboard or other components as well.

 

Hi folks,

Just an update with this.
I ordered a new power adapter through Logical Blue in Australia (Many thanks to Larry from LPC-Digital for the recommendation)

Luckily, it appears that only the power adapter burnt out in the surge because with the new one my laptop is working perfectly.
Woohoo!!!
I'm a happy camper indeed.

- DraX