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Macbook power adapter cord bitten by dog. No longer working. Fixable?

instead of tape

If you're following the self repair instructions, before you start, go to Radio Shack and get "Heat Shrink Tubing." Buy some around 1/2" OD. Cut a piece around 2-3 inches in length, and then slip it on one side or the other before you re-connect the wires (following Romindstorm's directions as one example). Then use a lighter (or maybe in Romind's case a blow dryer? hee hee) to create enough heat to shrink the tubing. Go gradual with the heat, as you don't need to catch it on fire to get the desired effect. :D

I also can't believe no one commented on "fixing the dog", but Bob Barker highly recommends it.
 
I've repaired more power adaptor wires than i can keep count on, i just wondered, why anyone would want to scrape off the tinning of the actual copper wires ? It's there to protect the copper from corroding! - The tinning on the wires is very conductive, and you can readily solder the wires, when some nicely corroded copper is not so easy to solder on.

Just twist the wires together, no need to scrape anything.

And unless you cut a lot of the wires off, the computer won't charge slower, and if it does, your splice will get pretty hot (too high a resistance in the splice) but imagination can make it seem slower, since you now tinkered with it ;-)

// Per.
 
Hat tip to romindstorm

I'm glad I skipped the first few posts and got to yours. Two rabbits (I don't know which one did the deed) have been spared because I was able to save the cable. The laptop is charging away as I write.

One extra tip: I have the newest mag-safe adapter (the L-style one) and the wires didn't ever look very coppery nor did scraping seem to make them change color really. I scraped both sides somewhat half-heartedly, twisted the wires and tried charging and it worked. I'm not sure if the newest cables don't need the scraping, but it worked for me.

Thanks again ... you saved me CHF100.
 
This thread is old, I know. Just wanted to say Thank you romindstorm.

Today my cat chewed my magsafe and I was able to fix it using your instructions.
 
Voltage fluctuations

Hi all, the area i live in, i get voltage fluctuations all the time... ranging from 145-220 kinda... is it OK to keep using my macbook even under these conditions???? lately, i have only been using it via an inverter charge... and that's not feasible.... is it ok to use the comp on these unreliably fluctuations... stablizers aren't helping though i do have a voltguard...
plzzz help!!!:(
 
just fixed one

I cut and spliced my cord back together today. No issues. I didn't do any scraping. This was an old-style connector btw. Big old 85W brick. A drop or two of solder on each connector, wrapped the internal wires in electrical tape. Then tried to shrink it all down in the heat tube like someone mentioned. I bought the 1/2" that someone said. Turned out to be way too big. So yeah buy something smaller or you'll have to electrical tape the ends of the tube down anyway. :)
 
Of course you can fix it.. If you are capable..

Not really any 'reason' to NOT be able to Fix such a problem IF you are capable of some basic electrical/ electronic repairs..

You will need a 'decent' soldering iron/pencil (likely capable of 25-35Watts) and something like a .031" to .050" Rosin Core Solder.. Heat-shrink Tubing is a good idea for sure, and since MOST common types have a Shrink Ratio of 2:1 that means you are looking for something like a 1/4" I.D. to go over a cable that is about 1/8" already.. you also must remember to allow for the repair making a 'lump' in your cable.. ** kinda like a Snake that swallows a Hamster.. Sorta.. No real way around that part!! :D

Otherwise, if your time is worth more than that to you, BUY a new one.. and/or maybe Buy One as a Spare anyway.. and try to watch the Critters around it if you must too I guess.. :apple:
 
So a few days ago my girlfriend's dwarf bunny went trough my cable. First thought was to get a new cable, but then during free time, with just a cutter and some electrical tape I got to repair it without issues.

I followed romindstorm advice. I've got the 60W L connector that came with my early 2011 MBP. Only difference with her connector is that the inner treads were all silver. I made a trident with the inner cables, intercalated those and then twist em. I was going to take some pics of the process but I got so much into it that I absolutely forgot about it. It took me some 15 quality minutes.

Its been working perfectly fine and safe for a week now. Here are some pics of the piece of cord I scrapped and of the finished work.

6952738618_5d0ed0ff3b_c.jpg

6952729742_9cf93bb5b3_c.jpg

7098804783_6fd347859d_c.jpg
 
romindstorm, i love you girl!!

Imagine my despair when I discovered that one of my cats had chewed through my MacBook power adaptor cord last night...:(

I'm currently living in Istanbul and a replacement if I could get one would be a fortune..

I googled my dilemma and found your post.. and with great trepidation I followed your detailed instructions and looked at your photos...

AND IT BLOODY WELL WORKED!!!!!!!!!!!!! I COULD KISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

(but as a 58 year-old ex-London girl, I'll let you off...)

What an excellent site and what a great community.. Thank you :)
 
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