Can I replace original 16V adapter with a 20V adapter?
I have an older IBM R40 Laptop with an AC adapter with and output of 16V, 4.5Amp. I ordered a replacement from Lenovo but it is a 20V output unit. Can I safely use this?
I wouldn’t use this adapter. If you are replacing the AC adapter, it’s very important to buy a new one with exactly the same voltage. Higher incoming voltage can damage the laptop.
You can follow this rule when you are looking for a new adapter. The voltage output must be the same. The amperage can be the same or higher than on the original one.
I don’t think that you can safely use a 20V adapter instead of your original 16V adapter.
December 26th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I have replaced a damaged acer cable with an identical cable from a toshiba laptop. I think the voltage is the same. In this case there should be no danger? Do you think it will work without problems?
The same laptop also has a charging problem – something with the power jack connection… it won’t charge when the laptop runs on battery, unless it’s turned off. When it runs on AC power, and the cable is unplugged, it keeps running on battery even if you plug the cable back in.
What would you suggest I do?
PS: would you be interested in link exchange with my web site? I just started a blog about PC an laptop problems. You site is very useful and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it further. Thanks
January 11th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
PC Memoirs,
If the voltage, amperage, plug size and polarity on your new adapter are the same as on the old one, there shouldn’t be any problem.
There could be a problem with the power jack. It’s possible that the power jack is not making good connection with the motherboard and has to be resoldered. It’s necessary to disassemble the laptop and take a closer look at the solder joints on the jack. If solder joints are damaged, you’ll have to resolder the jack. Take a look at the “Power Jack Failure” category.
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:56 am
Thanks for the tips. I will try to inspect the power jack closely. Not sure if I can resolder it though.
February 1st, 2009 at 3:11 am
i have this problem with my laptop, one time it just blacked out or should i say turned off and later to see that the adapter is not working anymore. i went to the store to buy new adapter with the same IO volts but the same thing happens. my laptop blacked out and my brand new adapter is not working. could it be possible for a laptop to damage the adapter, or would there be any other reasons? thank you
February 8th, 2009 at 12:14 am
I have original IBM Laptop Adopter
Input
100V 50-60Hz 90VA
Outout
16V
2.2A
I want to replace 19V 3.0A adaptor
February 8th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Naveed,
I wouldn’t do that. You’ll have to find a replacement adapter with the same voltage output.
If you use a 19V adapter on a 16V laptop, you can damage the laptop.
March 10th, 2009 at 10:15 am
I want to buy a car charger/adaptor for my HP Pavillion 6000. I have found on the web HP brand new auto chargers for $89.00 and then several “universal” or “HP compatible” off market brands for anywhere from $7 to $50. Is there any danger in purchasing the cheap off brands as opposed to the expensive name brand car chargers? Can the cheap off brand battery chargers shorten or ruin the life span of my battery?
Also, I have found a few on e-bay from individuals that are “slightly used,” for around $25, but they are HP brand specifically for HP dv 6000. Is there any danger in buying a used auto charger (other than I would be relying on the seller’s honesty in that it is in working condition)? What I mean is there any risk such as viruses?
July 10th, 2009 at 5:32 am
I have a Sony Vaio docking station that states 16V for my former 16V Vaio VGN 150P laptop. I replaced VGN 150P laptop with Vaio VGN S580 which is 19.5V. The new laptop fits in the old docking station. Can i use the 19.5V charger with the old docking station?
September 15th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Hi I have a 19v 3.42a acer laptop and my charger broke so i ordered a new charger but the charger they sent me is 20v 3.25a is it possible i could use this charger as its only 1v out or will i have to send it back and reorder a 19v 3.42a charger?
thank you in advance
Steve
September 20th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Steve:
What I would do is call the place that you ordered the charger from and see if they have a 19V charger. Granted, it’s only a 1V difference but it could fry your computer if something were to mess up. If they don’t have a 19V charger, then I would ask them if it’s advisable to use the 20V charger and if it would mess anything up.
September 20th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Steve,
I agree with the comment 10.
Call the place and explain that you received a 20v adapter instead of 19v adapter. I would personnel prefer to use the right one.
Will it work with the 20v adapter? Most likely yes.
Will it cause any damage to the motherboard? I don’t know.
September 29th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Mouse touchpad hangs when laptop is charging:
I have a sony viao VGN-NR360 laptop whose adapter stopped working and I had to change it.
The old adapter had an output of 19.5V and amperage of 3.9A, whereas the new adapter has an output of 19.5V and amperage of 4.7A.
When the laptop is plugged in for charging with the new adapter, the mouse touchpad does not work properly and hangs but it works when the laptop’s running on battery.
Is there any reason this should happen? Any solution?
Thanks!
October 20th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
My laptop is having issues when plugged into a car adapter. It never used to but all of a sudden the mouse goes crazy and jumps all over the screen when it is plugged into the car, but not a regular outlet. I even tried 2 other brand new car adapters to see if perhaps mine had just broken from frequent use, but it is having the same issues with all of them. I have never had this problem before with this laptop or others. Please help!
December 16th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Hi
Can I change a 19 volt charger for a 16 volt charger?
Thank you
Andre
August 20th, 2010 at 4:49 am
I have an HP Pavilion DV5. The rectifier in my power adaptor blew causing the voltage to fluctuate from as low as 3.4v up to 19.82v. The stated voltage on the AC Adpt. was 19v. I remeber reading somewhere that the voltage stated is the “avarage” voltage and is usualy +/- 1v. Is this right? Secondly I am looking at replacement AC adpt. The HP own was a 90w, the only replacement that is avalible where i live (Falkland Islands) is a 70w. Would this provide me with enough power to run and charge my laptop?? I use my laptop for lengthy periods of time at high resource use levels very regularly and have a horrible feeling 70w won’t be man enough?
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:49 pm
I have a sony viao laptop whose adapter stopped working and I had to change it.
The old adapter had an output of 19.5V and amperage of 3.44A, whereas the new adapter has an output of 19.5V and amperage of 4.7A.
When the laptop is plugged in for charging with the new adapter, the mouse touchpad does not work properly it jumps all over the screen but it works when the laptop’s running on battery.
Is there any reason this should happen? Any solution?
February 15th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
Any laptop can take i higher voltage READ:
Before purchasing dell Latitude D600 AC Adapters you need to make sure make the Latitude D600 AC dell Adapters will give you the correct voltage and suitable current output. To find out the voltage & current, turn your laptop over and look for a label, sticker or writing which shows the voltage and current, it should look something like the examples below. The voltage figure will have a “V” after the number i.e 19V and the current will have a “A” or “mA”. i.e 3.15A. You can also find these shown on your original dell AC Adapter Latitude D600 if you have it. The Voltage must be within 10% of your original dell Latitude D600 s Voltage. The Amps may be higher but they cannot by lower. If you are purchasing a universal Latitude D600 AC Adapter or Car Charger you will need to work out the Watts of your original dell Latitude D600 Adapter and select the universal dell Latitude D600 AC Adapter or Car Charger with the same Watts or next highest Wattage. You can work out the Wattage by multiplying the Voltage by the Amps i.e 20V X 3A = 60 Watts. There is no 60 Watt dell Latitude D600 AC Adapters so you will need to select the next step up which is the 70 Watt dell Latitude D600 AC Adapter.
PLEASE NOTE: If the wattage requirement for your laptop is lower than the 60W output of the adapter, it will not damage your laptop, your laptop will only take the amount of power it requires. I.E. If your laptop needs 45W, then either the 60W or 90W will work OK. If your laptop needs 80W then you will need the 90W one as the 75W one will not be powerful enough. If in doubt please email us on our contacts page.