[IAEP] [support-gang] Reminder: STEP UP OLPC Fundraiser in DC on Feb 24th

[Chris Leonard]

On Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 3:44 PM, Beth Santos <beth at waveplace.org> wrote:

> Lately, however, we have been having problems with chargers and need to get
> some new ones that won't break so easily during power surges. That's one of
> the reasons why we're having a fundraiser to get better quality materials
> for our class and to see if we can't grow it even more.
>

Beth,

You are certainly familiar with the fact that the XO plug specs are somewhat
non-standard.

http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Hardware_specification#External_connectors
In particular, the 1.65mm center pin was an odd size choice.

I've had the opportunity to use try IBM / Lenovo ThinkPad chargers with some
success.  This is in spite of the fact that the IBM chargers have a center
hole of 2.5mm.  The external size (5.5mm) is the same on ThinkPads and XOs
(at least XO 1.0).

IBM / LENOVO THINKPAD LAPTOP NOTEBOOK 72 WATT AC / DC COMBO ADAPTER

The ones I have are P/N 73P4502, and the really cool thing about these is
that they can either plug into the wall or into a 12V DC source (e.g. car
cigarette lighter).  The extra space in the center hole causes them to
wobble a little, but they work just fine and the power they supply is
compatible with the XO's specs.

Input1: AC 100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz (worldwide use)
Output: DC 16V 4.55A
Power: 72W
Outlet: 2-prong US

Input2: DC 10.5-18 VDC, 8A
Output: DC 16V 4.55A
Outlet: 12V DC (car cigarette lighter type)

Connecter size:
Internal Diameter: 2.5mm
External Diameter: 5.5mm

Googling the part number (73P4502) and "ThinkPad" shows that these are still
available for purchase at a wide range of price points.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=thinkpad+p%2Fn+73p4502

For example:

(6 new for: US$3.54 each)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014SJISC/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001N1RCQA&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0HWWCNBQERZ2XW59H72E

(10+ units for: US$16.11 each)
http://www.hootoo.com/ibm-thinkpad-73p4485-laptop-ac-adapter-16v-45a-p-56754.html?gclid=CKnb28uqmKcCFYh_5Qod_wuBeQ

I think that P/N 73P4485 may also be compatible, but I don't have one in
hand.  That may be the version that doesn't have the DC input option.

Of course, you can always order OEM XO green chargers, but you say you
haven't had much luck with those.

(111 available for: US$20.00 each)
http://www.ilovemyxo.com/product/xo-power-adapter.html

I happen to have a spare IBM charger in hand and if you haven't had the
chance to field test one, I could be persuaded to part with it in exchange
for some help getting Haitian localizers signed up and working in Pootle on
the Sugar (and eToys) translations.  :-)

cjl
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.sugarlabs.org/archive/iaep/attachments/20110220/7a4ca9ae/attachment-0001.html>