Appropriate replacement AC adapter for a laptop?

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Hugh_Mungus

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May 11, 2013
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I need to replace the AC adapter on my Dell computer; the existing one, which is an official Dell adapter, works only very sporadically now. I think the connection in the adapter is intermittent now due to being pulled or bumped repeatedly. (I've tried to be careful but haven't been fully successful.)

I'm trying to find a replacement AC Adapter but I'm not sure which replacements are appropriate because I'm really not that knowledgeable on electrical specifications.

Here is what the reference guide for my laptop says:

Power adapter
Type
• 45 W
• 65 W

Input voltage
100 VAC–240 VAC

Input frequency
50 Hz–60 Hz

Input current (maximum):
45 W 1.30 A
65 W 1.60 A/1.70 A

Output current (maximum):
45 W 2.31 A
65 W 3.34 A

Rated output voltage
19.50 VDC

Temperature range:
Operating
0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
Storage
–40°C to 70°C (–40°F to 158°F)

Here are my questions:
1. Am I correct in believing that a replacement adapter can not supply anything but 45 or 65 watts of power? A lower or higher wattage (or a value that is more than 45 but less than 65) will somehow damage my laptop, either slowly or immediately?
2. The replacement adapter must provide 19.5 Volts (give or take a few percent) or it will damage the laptop either slowly or quickly?
3. The plug on the power supply needs to go completely into the power jack on the laptop: no chrome from the plug should be visible when it's plugged in. (I previously bought a non-Dell adapter which wasn't recognized by the laptop but that may have been because the plug only went about 75% of the way into the laptop, leaving some chrome exposed on the plug and, presumably, not making a solid connection.)
4. How do I tell exactly which plug I need for my laptop? I had hoped to see something specifying the exact end I needed in the specs but I don't see anything like that. I'm guessing there are codes to specify the exact plug I need but don't know where to find that. Perhaps they vary from country to country; if so, I'm in Canada and the laptop was purchased here.

If anyone can help me understand which adapters can and cannot be used as replacements, that would be very helpful.

 
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Hamperking68

Hamperking68

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Jan 3, 2015
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I'll do this question by question for you.


  • Question 1

    You are incorrect. The wattage can be as higher than what is rated on the current power adaptor. That wattage merely specifies the maximum amount of power which can be output into the laptop. Exceeding the limit on the adaptor will damage the adaptor. So generally the higher the better. The wattage can be worked out if it's not labelled by the Volts x Amperes = the amount of watts.

    Question 2

    Yes, the voltage must remain at the specified level. Voltage drop will not damage the laptop however it may cause the system to run very unstably. Too many volts and you will fry the laptop, it must be within 2% of the orignial.

    Question 3

    Depends specifically on the way the adaptor was built .

    Question 4

    It's always best to purchase genuine power adaptors. You should be able to purchase a new one from dell. If not, ask a laptop parts supplier they should be able to give you one or point you to someone who can, you will need to provide the model number for the laptop.

Hope this helps. If you still need help give me the model number of the laptop and i'll see if I can track one down for you.

Edit: Love the name
 
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Hugh_Mungus

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May 11, 2013
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I assume you're referring to my "nom de net" Hugh Mungus? ;-)

Thanks for the answers to my questions. I really don't know a lot about electrical things!

I was getting confused because, in trying to source a replacement adapter, I was just searching on Dell replacement adapters and found various 3rd party adapters as well as some Dells. I had previously bought one 3rd party adapter but the plug didn't (quite) fit and that adapter didn't work either, despite being given to me by the guy at the computer store when I showed him the original adapter and the computer and asked for a replacement; that was at Canada Computers. I looked at the Best Buy Canada website tonight and saw a variety of third party ones and even a Dell one but most of them were 90W adapters and I wasn't sure if those would blow up my laptop. Then I got worried that voltages had to match too.

The Dell adapters seemed so much more expensive than the 3rd party ones that I am tempted to buy a 3rd party one that says its specifically for my model, a Dell Inspiron 5559. They are half the price or less and have good reviews at Amazon.ca. Those should do the job, right? The brand I saw was PWR; I suppose they're a power supply specialty company.

It also appears that the main difference between the 65W adapter and the 45W adapter is that the 65W adapter charges my battery faster. Since the prices are virtually identical for the PWR-brand adapters, I'm inclined to get the 65W one.

Or am I going to have a lot better experience if I spend the extra money on the Dell original equipment adapters?
 
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Hugh_Mungus

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I've been accused of overthinking things before; once again, it seems that's the case :)

Earlier, I was just searching on Dell adapters without specifying the model number; I got much better results by including the model numbers and now have fewer concerns about getting an appropriate adapter. Thank you!
 
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Hamperking68

Hamperking68

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Providing the model number is correct it should work. Generally the higher the wattage the adaptor can deliver, the faster your battery will charge as more power can be outputted at any given time so if you can get a 90W one for the same price there isn't any harm in doing so.

There isn't anything wrong with overthinking. Under-thinking is where people blow stuff up.



 
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Hugh_Mungus

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May 11, 2013
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I went to one of the local computer stores yesterday and they were out of stock on official Dell power supplies. I didn't want to be without a reliable power supply for several more days while I ordered one so we tried a few different third party adapters that were supposed to be appropriate for my laptop. None of the iCan brand adapters made the text bubble over the battery symbol say "charging": the text continued to say "94% (or whatever) remaining, not charging". Then I tried an APC brand adapter that claimed to be for a Dell and it made the text change to "94% remaining, charging" so I went for that one. It's 65W and said the voltage was 19V, rather than 19.5V, but I thought that must be close enough and bought it.

There's a calculation on the box that says they get 65W by multiplying 19V by 3.42A.

Now that I have the Dell specs in front of me, I see that the 3.42A number is a *little* bit higher than their stated maximum of 3.34A for the 65W rating. Is that going to be a problem? Should I take order a proper Dell one and then return this one once the Dell adapter has arrived?

I don't want to fry this laptop!
 
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