I bought a 90 watt power pack/battery charger for my Dell laptop and less than 3 months later whenever I plug it in, something quietly goes "pop!" Probably a cap inside? I think the unit still works, but it makes me nervous to use it. I doubt it's fixable in that almost solid plastic case, but is it really safe to continue using or should I ditch it and buy a new one? Opinions anyone?
Ron
It goes without saying that you should immediately back up whatever you can't afford to lose. It's highly unlikely -- but not impossible -- that a failure could apply 120V AC to the computer's power input.
"I fain would not die -- 'pop!'" (William S Gilbert, "Ruddigore")
I'd report this to Dell -- I assume this is a Dell product, and not some
3rd-party device from an unknown manufacturer? -- and insist it be replaced.
I wouldn't be using any electric appliance that makes unexpected popping noises. If you're lucky it might only burn your house down, and not take you with it.
Sylvia.
Difficult to say from the vague description. Assume you mean when you plug it into the AC mains? I've got all sorts of electrical stuff that goes "pop" when you plug it in. Caps are somewhat piezoelectric. Magnetic stuff can cause mechanical shifts. There's lots of peak current when you plug it in. There's also an arc at the connector. If you plug it into the adapter and then into the mains, does it still pop? Why it just started, who knows.
I think that's quite common, actually. I've certainly heard it quite a few times from SMPS's.
Gareth.
(...)
-With the exception of the refrigerator of course. :) My current one will very occasionally emit a 'pop' which the manufacturer says is normal 'inside wall flexing'.
Still it is silent compared to my previous fridge that was the most 'spontaneously musical' appliance I've ever owned, with all kinds of creaks, rattles, buzzes and an occasional 'pop' sound that approached a 'bang!' in volume.
May it rust in peace.
--Winston
Does this mystery charger have a model number?
It's not going to explode or anything like that. Most likely, if there is something wrong inside, it will simply stop working, usually at the least opportune time.
Are you SURE that it didn't go pop for the first 3 months? If so, something has probably broken loose inside the charger. If the pop sounds like an electrical arc, it's possible that the high voltage section is drawing an arc on startup. Some like an annular ring around the switcher xformer leads on the PCB or one of the hi-v capacitors might do that. Internal arcing inside the xformer is another.
If it's been only 3 months since you bought it (from Dell?) it should still be under warranty. Rather than worry about it, try to get it exchanged under warranty.
It is possible to open the case, but it's not easy. What you're likely to find is a solid block of electronics, magnetics, heat sinks, and wires, all encrusted in difficult to remove silicon rubber. Unless you've had some experience dealing with switchers, I would not attempt to repair it. (Hint: Use an isolation transformer).
-- Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
TAKE IT BACK WHERE YOU BOUGHT IT!!!!! This isn't rocket science.
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