Extremely hot (non Apple) Magsafe? Should I worry?

[Astroboy907]

About 6 months ago, my regular Apple "T" charger started shorting out and dying, so I decided to replace it. Of course, seeing as how apples chargers wore out quickly on me, I decided to go the cheap route and get a $30 "L" charger from eBay.
Lately I've noticed that when charging the computer, the L end of it gets extremely hot. Like hot enough to burn if touched. The area around my magsafe also gets quite hot, but around 20-30 degrees less than the charger I would guess. But it is pretty cold when the laptop is fully charged...

So after seeing so many reports about people with non apple chargers, should I be worried about this? My magsafe is a bit dirty too, should I try cleaning it out?

 

[RoboWarriorSr]

I know Apple MagSafe get really hot around the brick and its normal.

 

[scbond]

If I were you I wouldn't use one of those cheap adapters off of eBay or anywhere else.

 

[Astroboy907]

I know Apple MagSafe get really hot around the brick and its normal.

The brick usually is fine. Its the "L" end of the charger I'm worried about...

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If I were you I wouldn't use one of those cheap adapters off of eBay or anywhere else.

Advice noted!

 

[RoboWarriorSr]

The brick usually is fine. Its the "L" end of the charger I'm worried about...

My L part get hot too but usually it's because I'm playing a game while charging and because my old Mac is kinda slow doing everything.

 

[noisycats]

As one who often went "the cheaper route", recent tear down pics of a $2 versus $10 charger have convinced me to save money on toilet paper, not chargers.

 

[sarthak]

My L part get hot too but usually it's because I'm playing a game while charging and because my old Mac is kinda slow doing everything.

The unsealed magnet in the Magsafe L-plug over the wires conducting electricity is turning into an electromagnet and can damage your computer. Sell this old adapter on eBay "AS-IS" and any other old damaged adapters you have. Some buy them just for parts/repair.

Get a genuine Apple adapter.

Note: Theory only.

 

[RoboWarriorSr]

The unsealed magnet in the Magsafe L-plug over the wires conducting electricity is turning into an electromagnet and can damage your computer. Sell this old adapter on eBay "AS-IS" and any other old damaged adapters you have. Some buy them just for parts/repair.

Get a genuine Apple adapter.

Note: Theory only.

This is with an genuine Apple charger... I am not OP...

 

[sarthak]

This is with an genuine Apple charger... I am not OP...

"cheap charger from eBay..." could be a counterfeit Chinese knock-off, there are many that even have fake serial numbers on them similar to fake iPhone chargers.

 

[RoboWarriorSr]

"cheap charger from eBay..." could be a counterfeit Chinese knock-off, there are many that even have fake serial numbers on them similar to fake iPhone chargers.

I think we're confused, were you referring to the thread starter or me? I don't have a problem with my charger since I bought it at the Apple Store ( came with my Mac) but the thread starter bought his off eBay.

 

[Astroboy907]

"cheap charger from eBay..." could be a counterfeit Chinese knock-off, there are many that even have fake serial numbers on them similar to fake iPhone chargers.

... I am the OP, not him And it is a cheap chinese knockoff. It has no serial or logo anywhere... But for $50 cheaper, its held its own. I am usually pretty against knockoffs but this one seemed to work great for the 6 months I've had it.

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As one who often went "the cheaper route", recent tear down pics of a $2 versus $10 charger have convinced me to save money on toilet paper, not chargers.

Toilet paper is near the top of my list on things never to skimp out on...

 

[gr8tfly]

The unsealed magnet in the Magsafe L-plug over the wires conducting electricity is turning into an electromagnet and can damage your computer. Sell this old adapter on eBay "AS-IS" and any other old damaged adapters you have. Some buy them just for parts/repair.

Get a genuine Apple adapter.

Note: Theory only.

No. You don't need a magnet to make an electromagnet. All wires create a magnetic field when current is flowing. In any event, a magnet in that location is too far away from the hard drive to bother it (there are magnets for lid closure that are much closer).

But, I do agree: buy genuine Apple adapters.

 

[hummel003]

idd nothing as horrible to wipe ur ass with sandpaper
puppysoft paper for my bottom only

 

[sarthak]

No. You don't need a magnet to make an electromagnet. All wires create a magnetic field when current is flowing. In any event, a magnet in that location is too far away from the hard drive to bother it (there are magnets for lid closure that are much closer).

But, I do agree: buy genuine Apple adapters.

Like I said it's a theory and it's more likely if the wires are not/poorly insulated inside the L-plug they could be burning hence the excess heat. Which would make sense since they heat up when it's charging (increased wattage draw).