Overheating 85W Charger and Magsafe 2 Adapter on 2015 15" MBP

[KingCornWallis]

Was charging my Mid-2015 15" MacBook Pro with my older 85W MacBook Pro MagSafe 1 Charger with the MagSafe 1 to 2 Adapter.

I noticed that I started to hear an intermittent buzzing sound coming from my MacBook and quickly investigated. The moment I touched the MagSafe adapter I nearly burned my hand. That thing was HOT HOT HOT. Both the Cable and the tiny little adapter. Didn't touch the actual block, but I imagine it was hot too.

To be clear, these are both apple original parts. Was not doing anything more than web browsing on my MacBook. Can anyone speak as to why this happened?

 

[magbarn]

take an alcohol wipe and make sure the contacts on your MBP and the magsafe charger are clean.

 

[jerryk]

You should use a MacSafe 2 charger with the 2015 15" MBP. It is designed to the power needed by your your 2015 15". It has wider and longer connector for better contact and for the 15" MBPs provides power at higher voltage (20V instead of 18V) and lower current. This latter change may be why your connector is getting hot..

 

[pshufd]

I've used both MagSafe I (with adapter) and II with 2014 and 2015 MacBook Pros. The connectors get warm but I wouldn't describe it as hot.

 

[Xgx]

I have run a 2014 15" MacBook Pro retina using a Magsafe 1 charger & a Magsafe 1 to 2 adapter in the way you describe for 5+ years with no issues. During this time I was pushing the computer to its absolute limits with high CPU usage/heavy rendering etc. This was much more reliable than using the MagSafe 2 charger, which died out of the blue after just a few months. There's nothing wrong with your setup.

Perhaps as magbarn suggested there is an issue with residue on the contacts. I suspect you have already checked, but I'd also remove the mag connecter from the computer and double check the 1 to 2 adaptor is seated correctly on the Magsafe 1 connector. There tends to be a bit of wiggle room in the connection with the adaptor, although this has never caused an issue for me.

 

[pshufd]

I have run a 2014 15" MacBook Pro retina using a Magsafe 1 charger & a Magsafe 1 to 2 adapter in the way you describe for 5+ years with no issues. During this time I was pushing the computer to its absolute limits with high CPU usage/heavy rendering etc. This was much more reliable than using the MagSafe 2 charger, which died out of the blue after just a few months. There's nothing wrong with your setup.

Perhaps as magbarn suggested there is an issue with residue on the contacts. I suspect you have already checked, but I'd also remove the mag connecter from the computer and double check the 1 to 2 adaptor is seated correctly on the Magsafe 1 connector. There tends to be a bit of wiggle room in the connection with the adaptor, although this has never caused an issue for me.

Sometimes I have to wiggle the adapter or even turn it the other side to get the LED to come on - so there can be a little play. We have four MagSafe 2 chargers and seven MagSafe 1 chargers - the nice thing is that we never need to carry them around as they're scattered around where we use laptops.

You could also try using a second charger if you have one.