Question Using different adapter on laptop

[siebe_]

Hello,

My laptop charger died today, Which is a 120W adapter (19.5V, 6.15A). Now i have an exam coming and can't get a new one in time. So i am currently using a 90W charger (19V, 4.7A). I read that the diffence of 0.5V wasn't much of a problem, but through the headphone jack i am sometimes hearing a quiet buzzing sound. Can this damage the components? The buzzing noise is more noticible if my battery is plugged in. I am now using it without battery

Thanks for the answers
Siebe

 

[karpule]

we used to have this problem on an old webcam chat server. some laptop chargers have a buzz on the microphone when the charger was plugged in. does your charger have a ferrite core?

 

[siebe_]

If this is a ferrite core, then yes it does have one. But i never noticed the buzzing on my old laptop where the charger i am using now was for intended

 

[karpule]

thats a ferrite core. i dont know then man, sorry. maybe your connection is slightly smaller than your laptops port and youre getting a spark. whats wrong with your old charger?

 

[siebe_]

thats a ferrite core. i dont know then man, sorry. maybe your connection is slightly smaller than your laptops port and youre getting a spark. whats wrong with your old charger?

I have no idea, it suddenly stopped working without any visible damage or anything. Using a multimeter i measured that the power cord did deliver in front of the adpter but the adapter itself delivered nothing.

Thanks for the help.

 

[siebe_]

Thans for the help.
[/QUOTE]

thats a ferrite core. i dont know then man, sorry. maybe your connection is slightly smaller than your laptops port and youre getting a spark. whats wrong with your old charger?

Do you maybe know if it is harmless or it might damage something

 

[mortemas]

Since the original adapter is rated for a higher power output, your substitute adapter might be working harder than it's designed for. Hopefully you're not pulling too much current with high loads on the laptop. You should be ok if the battery is already topped off and you don't use the laptop for say gaming or video rendering, but I'd eventually try to get the proper power supply because the one you have is not sufficient for the maximum power requirements of the laptop. Voltage should be the same for the replacement and as you said it is shy by 0.5v, which is not a huge deal but it is working against you here. However, current rating should always be the same or higher and the deficit on your substitute is much more significant. You should get one that is at least the same or better than the original 6.15 Amps. Polarity of the DC output is also important. Safest bet is to buy an exact replacement.

 

[siebe_]

I

Since the original adapter is rated for a higher power output, your substitute adapter might be working harder than it's designed for. Hopefully you're not pulling too much current with high loads on the laptop. You should be ok if the battery is already topped off and you don't use the laptop for say gaming or video rendering, but I'd eventually try to get the proper power supply because the one you have is not sufficient for the maximum power requirements of the laptop. Voltage should be the same for the replacement and as you said it is shy by 0.5v, which is not a huge deal but it is working against you here. However, current rating should always be the same or higher and the deficit on your substitute is much more significant. You should get one that is at least the same or better than the original 6.15 Amps. Polarity of the DC output is also important. Safest bet is to buy an exact replacement.

I currently am using the laptop only for web browsing an sometimes wachting a video. I checked the polarity and it is the same as my previous charger. I ordered an replacement but it wont be in time for my exam, the last thing i want is to damage my laptop, and the noise makes me a bit worried