Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Magsafe cable frayed - any suggested fixes?

K

kwijbo

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 28, 2012
252
131
My 2 year old Magsafe adapter recently frayed open like below:

l2uS8pv.jpg


are there any suggested fixes you guys have to stop it from getting worse? I found this after a quick search:

The Fray Fix

and while it seems like a good preventative solution, I'm hesitant to try it on mine since its already broken and the procedure for getting it on the adapter seems like it would make it worse.
 
Did you get extended Apple Care on your MB? If so, I was under the impression that the cable followed the MB and that if you were still under warranty you could get a new cable. However, if that is not the case or if you have no extended warranty, then the Fray Fix looks like a great solution with the exception of installation.

I watched the unnecessarily long video and I definitely would be wary to yank the magsafe adapter through that hole which puts strain on that connection which is already frayed on your cable but what about something less glamorous like this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu1n-bI2cPo

Did anything ever come of this supposed class action lawsuit?
http://www.thewire.com/technology/2011/11/frayed-knot-apples-power-cord-fix/44822/
 
GoCubsGo said:
Did you get extended Apple Care on your MB? If so, I was under the impression that the cable followed the MB and that if you were still under warranty you could get a new cable. However, if that is not the case or if you have no extended warranty, then the Fray Fix looks like a great solution with the exception of installation.

I watched the unnecessarily long video and I definitely would be wary to yank the magsafe adapter through that hole which puts strain on that connection which is already frayed on your cable but what about something less glamorous like this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu1n-bI2cPo

Did anything ever come of this supposed class action lawsuit?
http://www.thewire.com/technology/2011/11/frayed-knot-apples-power-cord-fix/44822/
Click to expand...

No Applecare unfortunately. Agreed, I'm weary of the procedure for the Fray Fix. Looks like the class action suit won but its only for Magsafe 1, see the link from FreakinEurekan.

FreakinEurekan said:
If you're in the USA, and it's a MagSafe (not a MagSafe 2), you may be eligible for a free replacement:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4127
Click to expand...

I am in the US but have Magsafe 2 unfortunately. Although its probably worth a shot asking in an Apple store.

I think what I'll try to do is get some heatshrink from Microcenter and wrap over the break, hoping itll hold it together. Magsafe 2 seems like it may be a bit more difficult to get some heatshrink over due to the width of the connector but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
 
The cable is coaxial construction. If just the outer insulation is broken and the inner insulation is intact then just wrap it up well. Heat shrink tubing won't work because there's no way to get it over the adapter. I would use some of the heavy duty repair tapes. I think you can get them in white so it looks better.
 
Magsafe cable frayed - any suggested fixes?

if it is not exchanged try this --> (it looks like the cable is not damaged!)
glenthompson said:
The cable is coaxial construction. If just the outer insulation is broken and the inner insulation is intact then just wrap it up well. Heat shrink tubing won't work because there's no way to get it over the adapter. I would use some of the heavy duty repair tapes. I think you can get them in white so it looks better.
Click to expand...





if it really breaks and you can't get an exchange or fix it with the posted fix, you could try what I did (guess Magsafe I and II work the same way):

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1747516/
 
0 for 3 so far...one employee told me the fraying comes from wrapping the cable around the adapter too much :confused: and even if it was under warranty it might not be covered under normal wear and tear. Guess the "wings" are there for show?? Baffled.
 
Went to 2 more Apple stores over the weekend, no luck. So that makes me 0-5, I guess its time to give up on getting it replaced. I asked about the replacement program and they wouldn't budge, said its Magsafe 1 only.

Speaking of that program, how ridiculous is it that there is history of their chargers falling apart, they settle a class action lawsuit over it, they change the design and its still a flawed part?

I wasn't expecting it to be replaced, wishful thinking mostly after seeing the comments in this thread, but as I thought about it more and more its a joke that Apple sees a charger as basically a disposable product. My MBA is exactly 2 years old and only has 200 cycles on it, it spends 70% of its time in clamshell mode and the charger is so poorly constructed that it falls apart after what I'd consider very light usage. I've never seen a PC charger fall apart, even after 5+ years of usage. Oh well, chalk it up to another part of the "Apple Experience". Or better yet, another part of the "Apple Tax".
 
I'm surprised to hear that. I'd definitely send an e-mail to Tim Cook and let whoever reads his e-mails have a look.

It probably isn't going to help, but all it can cost you is a minute.
 
Suggested fix

I've had similar issues with my magsafe cable and other apple charging/data cables. Check out this new product, Repair Square. Worked well for me and looks like it could be the quick fix you're looking for. Hope this helps.

www.repairsq.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: satcomer
kwijbo said:
0 for 3 so far...one employee told me the fraying comes from wrapping the cable around the adapter too much :confused: and even if it was under warranty it might not be covered under normal wear and tear. Guess the "wings" are there for show?? Baffled.
Click to expand...

Wrapping the cable around the adapter would contribute to the other end of the cord crapping out. I've always thought the "wings" were a stupid idea too, since the normal method of wrapping it would end up damaging the cable.

Damage on the magnetic side of the cord is usually due to bending the cord too tightly.

Apple really needs to add more strain relief on their cables/cords.
 
kwijbo said:
My 2 year old Magsafe adapter recently frayed open like below:

are there any suggested fixes you guys have to stop it from getting worse? I found this after a quick search:

The Fray Fix

and while it seems like a good preventative solution, I'm hesitant to try it on mine since its already broken and the procedure for getting it on the adapter seems like it would make it worse.
Click to expand...
 
BTW, The Fray Fix -- those things are great, except for T connectors. I followed the instructions. I watched the video and followed the video verbatim, step by step. (Except that TFF in the video is black but mine were both green, and the pliers the guy was using were completely silver but mine had a dark green coating on the handle.) The Fray Fix *ripped* because of the wide connector. I posted on the blog and filled out the contact form, but it appears that Kirk doesn't respond unless it's a compliment. Nonetheless, I recently ordered another one because they were on sale. Same. effing. thing. happened AGAIN. I sent Kirk texts with pictures.
 
dauber said:
BTW, The Fray Fix -- those things are great, except for T connectors. I followed the instructions. I watched the video and followed the video verbatim, step by step. (Except that TFF in the video is black but mine were both green, and the pliers the guy was using were completely silver but mine had a dark green coating on the handle.) The Fray Fix *ripped* because of the wide connector. I posted on the blog and filled out the contact form, but it appears that Kirk doesn't respond unless it's a compliment. Nonetheless, I recently ordered another one because they were on sale. Same. effing. thing. happened AGAIN. I sent Kirk texts with pictures.
Click to expand...

I'm not surprised, it looks like a terrible cheap product. So much faffing about and so many points where things could go wrong. Having to cut out your own Lighting protector is laughable.

I use a Juiceboxx. I'm not going to pretend it's perfect, but it's a darn site better manufactured than The Fray Fix.
 
steve23094 said:
I'm not surprised, it looks like a terrible cheap product. So much faffing about and so many points where things could go wrong. Having to cut out your own Lighting protector is laughable.
Click to expand...

Well...I feel bad now; I shot first before asking questions. It turns out that the problem with The Fray Fix was that it was the glow-in-the-dark green that I bought...and yes, I bought it because it glows in the dark. :) I reached out to Kirk because it was the second one that was destroyed. I told him those things don't work well with the T-shaped connectors. He reached out to his distributor and found out that the glow-in-the-dark ones are made from a different (weaker) material, so he sent me a replacement in black. THAT one went on without ripping, although it was a real pain in the butt...never had a single issue with The Fray Fix on the other type of connector though.
 
In my case the cables are typiclly fine for 1-2 years, but later they sort of "dissolve". That is the rubber part becomes sticky and very fragile. Actually it also becomes sort of longer - the rubber cover detaches from the cable as if it was enlarging allowing the metal core to move respectively to the rubber cover. The fraying is caused by the fact that the rubber cover becomes longer (by up to 4 inches) than the metal core of the cable, and "air bubbles" form, eventually bursting. After the cable frays, you may straighter the rubber cover of the cable but then you have to clip up to 4 inches to get the rubber covering to be the same length as the metal core it is supposed to hold.

It seems there is some sort of manufacturing defect or they used a wrong type of material.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back