Toughbook 34 reverse polarity problem

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

TB wrote:
> Hi All,
> I stupidly connected a third-part power supply to my Toughbook CF-M34
> today with the wrong polarity.
>
> I quickly removed the plug as soon as I smelt burning electrics
> (about 10 seconds).
>
> All appeared ok at first, but then I realised the batteries won't
> charge and it won't run on AC power either. I'm left with the few
> hours battery life in my remaining charged batteries. After that it
> becomes a paperweight.
> I'm assuming that there is a sacrificial fuse or diode that has burnt
> out.
> Anybody had something similar happen to them or know of a solution?
> I'd like to get the parts myself and sort it out ideally.
>
>
> Cheers,
> TB

Probably the main power supply fuse. You'll have to open the case to
determine what might be done. I've used commercial quick opening fuses
of the correct amperage soldered across the blown fuse terminals
successfully. If you had a hot electronics odor, all bets might be off.

Q

Archived from groups: comp.sys.laptops (More info?)

Thanks for your help guys. I'll try to get hold of a new fuse, but I'll
prepare myself for the worse.

TB
"Barry Watzman" <WatzmanNOSPAM@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news:42C480AB.7040705@neo.rr.com...
> The realistic truth is that you are probably in for a motherboard
> replacement, unless the power supply is a separate module (which is the
> case in a few machines, but not very many). You will most likely be able
> to get neither the necessary information nor the parts themselves, and if
> you smelled stuff, it's more than just a fuse.
>
>
> TB wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>> I stupidly connected a third-part power supply to my Toughbook CF-M34
>> today
>> with the wrong polarity.
>>
>> I quickly removed the plug as soon as I smelt burning electrics (about 10
>> seconds).
>>
>> All appeared ok at first, but then I realised the batteries won't charge
>> and
>> it won't run on AC power either. I'm left with the few hours battery life
>> in
>> my remaining charged batteries. After that it becomes a paperweight.
>>
>> I'm assuming that there is a sacrificial fuse or diode that has burnt
>> out.
>>
>> Anybody had something similar happen to them or know of a solution? I'd
>> like
>> to get the parts myself and sort it out ideally.
>>
>>
>> Cheers,
>> TB
>>
>>