Another dead laptop psu.

[hfxmike]

I have an Acer Aspire 7720z and my third ac adapter has just failed in as many years. I need to replace it, but need to know if I should I buy a more heavy duty one for $60+. Or maybe I should just get a $18 one from Hong Kong?
Is there a rule of thumb for choosing a laptop ac adapter? Other than just getting what you pay for? I highly doubt there is a price/MTBF chart for these things : (
any advice would be great,
my limit is $30

need 90W 4.74A
Mike

ps - the one that just died was a $15 ebay thing.

[_dangtx_]

plugged in at the wall? if so,it probably saved your lappy :)

the 60 dollar one could die as easily one year from now.

or the lappy is juicing them too mucho?

see what it pulls at the wall on full load,next time.

[hfxmike]

no..it gradually died.

it also matched the laptop's power specs.
power from the wall is good +power bar w/breaker + surge protector.

maybe I'll just buy the cheapest thing I can find on ebay.
mike

[_dangtx_]

cool, but how many watts is it pulling?

canadian tire has the blue planet energy meters, or you can find kill a watt units online, my favorite :)

[hfxmike]

I'm not sure how many watts the laptop was pulling. And now there's no way to find out until I get a new adapter. Should I get something above the 90W / 4.74A stated on the bottom of the laptop?

[_dangtx_]

yep. well, its possible its maxing them out,so perhaps yes.

there are probably stronger ones, but they could be more expensive

[hfxmike]

I'm pretty sure that wasn't the issue (just remembering). If I bent the cable a certain way I would get power. Internal connection problem. I wish I could just rip the cable apart, and fix the connection, but with my luck I'd probably fry the laptop.

[Mook06]

bad connections = increased resistance = increased heat/waste/wear, id get to the bottom of that

also as dan said, you could try getting a bigger adapter, it will make it streign less and will last longer, most of these cheap adapters are overrated also, just match the voltage, up the amperage

[hfxmike]

This matches my laptop's specs: ACER ASPIRE 6530g 6920g 7720g 7720z LAPTOP AC ADAPTER on eBay.ca (item 220689593972 end time 27-May-11 16:01:46 EDT)

Is there a standard amperage rating over 5?
I need 90W, 19V, 4.74A

[enaberif]

Buying cheap aftermarket crap is never gonna be the same as if you buy new and proper.

Also if for any reason the connection for the ac adapter on the laptop is damaged it won't help either.