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PowerBook 145B power issues

128keaton

128keaton

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jan 13, 2013
2,029
419
I received a Powerbook 145B in 'ok' shape, but I cannot get it to turn on. I'm using an aftermarket charger, but whenever I plug the charger in, the light on the charger fades out. I'm thinking there is a short somewhere, but I cannot locate it. However, I've seen two sources:
https://www.amazon.com/PowerBook-145-Compatible-Adapter-Charger/dp/B004MM8EZ0
that one states that 24V is the norm, but I've heard 7v too?
 
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The power supplies on these are dying. You may need to pop it apart and replace capacitors. Over at 68kmla we have talked about these a bunch. At wal mart they have a universal power adapter than can do 7.5 volts at 2 amp with a correct fitting. That way you have a new power supply, for about 20 dollars and the fact you can just take it back its a win win to try.
[doublepost=1467777036][/doublepost]Oh and just like the centris 650 person, even tho this says powerbook, its a 68k processor not a powerpc. You may get better and faster ideas from the Apple collector section.
 
MikeatOSX said:
PowerBook 145B power supply is 7.5 volts, 2.0 ampere.
With 24 volts you can kill it.
If it doesn't start with a good adapter, remove the battery first, because an old battery often has a short.
If it doesn't start without battery, reset the power manager.
http://tim.id.au/laptops/apple/powerbook/powerbook_140.145.b.170.pdf

I'm worried that I have done so :(. I smelled electronics, but not a burning smell. None of the diodes or SMTs look scorched/burnt
page 146, 134
Click to expand...

havokalien said:
The power supplies on these are dying. You may need to pop it apart and replace capacitors. Over at 68kmla we have talked about these a bunch. At wal mart they have a universal power adapter than can do 7.5 volts at 2 amp with a correct fitting. That way you have a new power supply, for about 20 dollars and the fact you can just take it back its a win win to try.
[doublepost=1467777036][/doublepost]Oh and just like the centris 650 person, even tho this says powerbook, its a 68k processor not a powerpc. You may get better and faster ideas from the Apple collector section.
Click to expand...

Ok, I'll take a look at this. The nearest wall mart is a bit aways, but I'll see. I tried registering on 68kMLA, but I didn't get a confirmation email :/
 
The PowerBook 145B uses a 7.5V 2A Power Plug. I was fortunate enough to buy a plug (Enercell 273-333) at Radio Shack a few years ago.

The link MikeatOSX posted for ebay will also work.
 
ExcelTronic said:
The PowerBook 145B uses a 7.5V 2A Power Plug. I was fortunate enough to buy a plug (Enercell 273-333) at Radio Shack a few years ago.

The link MikeatOSX posted for ebay will also work.
Click to expand...
Do you guys think a 7.5v 1A Power Supply will work? I found one, a Netgear wallwart
 
it could work, but it isn't recommended at all. It would be best used to test if it works, but that's it. It really depends on the amount of electricity is needed from the computer, and that varies depending on the task. So, booting it up should be fine, but continuous use isn't recommended. It would be best to buy the correct power adapter on eBay.
 
Maybe a weak power supply can't load the battery, while the PowerBook is on.
BTW:
This is the reason, that my 3 PowerBooks 180c (color consumes more power) can be booted by a 2.0 ampere power supply only, when the battery is removed before.
When I boot them by the original 3.0 ampere power supply or by a 3.5 ampere replacement power supply, the battery is loaded without problems.
 
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