What is this power adapter for?

[liamur]

Title says it all...but I'm thinking it's for a Powerbook.

 

[AndyO]

7.5v 2amp - if nothing else, that looks a lot like a PowerBook 100-series adapter. Or at least the black and white and greyscale models - I think the color ones were 3amp.

 

[TimHD]

It can even be used with some QuickTake cameras eg 100 and 150 https://lowendmac.com/ed/lebron/09ll/quicktake-150.html

 

[liamur]

Thanks. I got it for free, and I figure I'll keep it, as I want to own a 68k PowerBook at some point. If only I had the money for that 180c over on Trading Post...

 

[bibilit]

PowerBook 140, 160, and 170 series laptops (probably some others)

 

[alectrona6400]

I think almost all PBs take 24V, but I could be dead wrong. Sure isn't a yo-yo, and you wouldn't easily find one for free. /hj

 

[AndyO]

I think almost all PBs take 24V, but I could be dead wrong. Sure isn't a yo-yo, and you wouldn't easily find one for free. /hj

With the exception of the PB 100 (which I don't know about) and the 190 (which wasn't really a 100-series model anyway), I think the 100s all run on 7.5v. And even though these old Apple power adapters aren't all that rare, new replacements can be had on Amazon (and elsewhere) for under $10. I use one each on my 145B and 180.

 

[Johnnya101]

If you want to use it, keep in mind that you should really recap it. I think almost all of them are starting to fail by now.

 

[liamur]

If you want to use it, keep in mind that you should really recap it. I think almost all of them are starting to fail by now.

Never thought of recapping a wall wart before. Makes sense.

How do you open it? Crack the seal and hope it goes back together?

 

[Johnnya101]

Pretty much, yeah. I forget what I did with mine a few years ago. Think I had to cut the seal with a saw/blade? It's going to be a bit of a hack job unless you really go slow and take your time. Someone else may have better tips.

I think the caps in these really affect the output voltage. If you search this forum, I'm sure there is more info.

 

[bibilit]

Crack the seal and hope it goes back together?

Yes, using a vice and two rods (screwdrivers for instance) does the trick pretty well.

 

[desertrout]

Never thought of recapping a wall wart before. Makes sense.

How do you open it? Crack the seal and hope it goes back together?

Yep. Comes apart cleanly. I hot glue mine back together, can't tell they were even opened. There was a thread here about opening these... can't find it. This shows a vice: https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageApple/comments/hbzidj

 

[alk0v]

wrong thread. sorry

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

The Low-Power Adapter is for the likes of the PowerBook100, which can be damaged by use of later supplies.

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

It officially shipped with the 150. The only one of those supplies that can supposedly damage the 100 and maybe the 150 are the 3-amp adapters that shipped with the 165c and 180c.

 

[croissantking]

It officially shipped with the 150. The only one of those supplies that can supposedly damage the 100 and maybe the 150 are the 3-amp adapters that shipped with the 165c and 180c.

I don’t understand that, because the amperage of a power adapter is its maximum output, and the device that it’s plugged into draws what’s needed.

 

[pizzigri]

If you connect it to mains, chances are it will sort of explode… stinking up the place. Giving you half a heart attack, due to the Rifa cap breaking down. The power brick will still work of course, however you will need to open it up and recap it. Just do it before going through all this!