Optimus IV 15.6" - Using an alternative charger?

[Kevinf63]

Hi all,

I bought an Optimus IV recently, and it was only when I was unboxing the thing did I realize what a brute the LITEON charger was, its too big for my tastes. But I spied another AC charger lying around the house, which is about half the size and fits my laptop (I didn't let it charge for the sole purpose of wanting advice on this) charge point. Similar input on both power supplies, but the output is nearly halved on the other in terms of amps. I'm not great with electronics other than when I need to a build a system for myself which is essentially LEGO for tech adults, so enlighten me if I'm totally wrong with this.

I intend to use the smaller charger for when I'm out and about and only doing light tasks, as the only problem I can think of using a lower amped charger is that it charges slower. I then leave King Kong LITEON at home when I doing something intensive on it like gaming etc. The weight difference alone is enough for me to want this. So, am I on the right track, or is this a disaster waiting to happen? The charger is just one of those regular universal laptop chargers.

 

[vanthus]

These are some guide lines on using another charger,personally though I would only use the charger designed for the laptop,plus the fact it might void the warranty if any damage is caused by using the charger.
1) Output Voltage is within +/- 5% of your old charger's output.
For example, if your old charger provides 19.5V, then you can use a charger that provides 20.5V or 18.5V.
2) Output Current is the same or higher than that of your old charger.
For example, if your original adapter provides 3.42 Amps, then you can use a charger that provides 3.42 Amps, 3.9 Amps or higher.
3) Connector tip must fit securely into your laptop.
Current capacity just needs to be "close", but larger is better than smaller. If current capacity is too low, it will not be enough to charge the battery as well as run the laptop at the same time.
If the pins are the same - meaning the same pin on both chargers is used for + and - then it will be OK.
But if the pins are reversed, then you risk frying the laptop and/or damaging the charger,although I think modern laptops can detect this and stop the process.

 

[Pagey]

After a quick comparison of the snaps you took, don't bother using the other one and keep using the Liteon. The other one is about half the power of the Liteon.

 

[ubuysa]

After a quick comparison of the snaps you took, don't bother using the other one and keep using the Liteon. The other one is about half the power of the Liteon.

Absolutely agree with Pagey, don't us the other one, it will be constantly overloaded and may well be a fire risk.

 

[pdavsos]

The pins on the chargers are the same, so it shouldn't be a fire risk for that. But with the current being nearly half, its likely the charger will be running very hot `as the laptop will likely be drawing the maximum current from it, which could be a fire risk. The optimus charger I have is 19.5V and 6.15A, its a bit wider than a samsung charger that I have, but it sits flatter as it is thinner.