Are laptop power chargers interchangeable

littlemoney

I have been give a refurbished HP laptop but no power supply. The input point for the power supply looks the same as my 9 year old Dell. Could I use the same power supply?

AndyPix

No, it will be different voltage and you will most likely find out it doesnt work even though it fits in.
All dell recent dell ones are interchangable with each other but HP ones tend to change from time to time.


You can get a "1 for all" type generic power supply from your local pc shop pretty cheap

Stoke

AndyPix wrote: »

No, it will be different voltage and you will most likely find out it doesnt work even though it fits in.
All dell recent dell ones are interchangable with each other but HP ones tend to change from time to time.


You can get a "1 for all" type generic power supply from your local pc shop pretty cheap

Instead of giving this kind of advice.... why not suggest he do the simple task of checking the input voltage on the back of the laptop, and seeing if the output voltage on the power supply is the same? I want to believe you actually know what you're talking about, but remarks like this, suggest to me you don't? All hot air.

Many laptop chargers ARE interchangeable, it's just about whether they give the correct voltage out. Some switching supplies even provide a range from 12v to 19v, but I wouldn't bank on them whatsoever.

If you've got a 12v supply and your laptop takes 12v, it's fine, if not, then don't do it as you could do some damage. It's that simple.

AndyPix

Personal experience Stoke.


I know exactly the style of HP socket that the Dell supply will fit into.
And i know that it wont work. The contacts inside the hole are different

DavidFx

Stoke wrote: »

it's just about whether they give the correct voltage out..

and, of course, supply sufficient current.

Check also the DC power centre pin size it can be either 2.1mm or 2.5mm - A 2.5mm plug will fit a 2.1mm centre pin socket but could be an iffy connection.

Stoke

DavidFx wrote: »

and, of course, supply sufficient current.

Check also the DC power centre pin size it can be either 2.1mm or 2.5mm - A 2.5mm plug will fit a 2.1mm centre pin socket but could be an iffy connection.

Most OEM laptop power supplies provide more than enough current. Most 19v ones deliver a maximum output of 4amps. 19.5v deliver 3.5amps, and most 12v supplies deliver over 8amps.

Throw in the fact that if a power supply is under-currenting (not a word) a laptop, it should theoretically still charge at a significantly reduced rate. Good luck making it stay on while it charges though.

cookie365

I expect the OP is referring to the 7.4mm round adapter that older HPs used.

The plug itself is identical with the same electrical contacts. However, the plug carries an identification line which reports the adapter ID back to the laptop.

As I understand it, most if not all Dell and HP laptops will not draw power from adapters that identify themselves as the other, for (fairly conservative) safety reasons.

One of them has a 19v voltage, the other 19.5v, can't remember which. In practice the difference should be within the tolerances for the electronics in both laptops, but both companies have decided it's not a risk they're prepared to take, hence the ID wire.

And I'm not sure I follow the how many amps 'controversy'. The number of amps a power supply can deliver is the number of amps it's built to deliver and the thing it's plugged into is built to draw.

I've seen 19.5v adapters pushing more than 8 amps, and I've seen some that deliver less than 2.5 amps.

pappa_golf

I,m bored , can we talk about anti virus on a mobile phone , why has my nokia 3310 not got anti virus as standard?

DavidFx

Back to the OPs question:

If the Dell adpator is the same voltage as the HP (within 0.5V)
and if the output current is equal to or is more than the HP
and if the power supply connector is the same
then it should work

cookie365 mentions a third pin on higher power supplies - this a 'sense' line that compensates for the volt drop in the lead. If your HP has one than the replacement needs one.

littlemoney

On the internet I found the details of my Dell charger
https://www.thelaptoppowersupplyshop.co.uk/dell-laptops/dell-inspiron/dell-inspiron-6000-series/dell-inspiron-6400

This is the details of the HP charger
https://www.thelaptoppowersupplyshop.co.uk/hp-probook-6560b-oem-laptop-charger-90583?gclid=CKyMoayb59ACFWa37QodR9AFkw

Are they interchangeable?

Stoke

There is a difference of 0.5v and that's enough to put me off. A shame really seeing as it should fit.

As someone said, a difference of .5 isn't much but while I'll happily mix and match chargers of different amps, voltage is another story.

I would order a cheap aftermarket one off the net. Or even a universal one with the right tip.