Netbook won't always charge

[ChrisRChamberlain]

Hi all

Have a HANNSPREE SN10E24B netbook which will now only charge after considerable movement of the DC charger tip in the netbook.

Rotating, sideways movement, etc eventually makes a connection.

Tried switch cleaner without success and wondered if anyone had any suggestions to save what otherwise is a perfectly good device?

TIA

FAQ184-2483​

Chris
PDFcommander.co.uk
motrac.co.uk

 

[rclarke250]

If you are handy with a soldering pencil, take it apart, and re-solder the connections on the board for the dc port. Or just replace it with a new one you can buy (hopefully) on ebay.

 

[ChrisRChamberlain]

clarke250

Thanks for your reply and suggestion.

Unfortunately my soldering skils are zero, but if that's going to be the only way, so be it.

FAQ184-2483​

Chris
PDFcommander.co.uk
motrac.co.uk

 

[goombawaho]

I couldn't recommend using your device as a test bed for soldering unless you have zero worry about killing it. A DC jack repair is normally around $75 so judge according to that.

 

[zelgar]

Are you certain that it the netbook and not the charger that's having the issue? Check to make certain the light is showing on your charger. I just had to change one on a laptop that only cost ~$20 from Amazon. If it is your netbook, you might see how much a local computer store would charge.

 

[ChrisRChamberlain]

goombawaho

Thanks for your reply.

Value of the item rules out any serious expenditure.

Was hoping there might be some sort of battery charger available, similar to a HDD docking device, that might be used?

FAQ184-2483​

Chris
PDFcommander.co.uk
motrac.co.uk

 

[ChrisRChamberlain]

zelgar

Thanks for that idea - unfortunately the power pack does not have a light.

FAQ184-2483​

Chris
PDFcommander.co.uk
motrac.co.uk

 

[goombawaho]

95% chance given your symptoms it's NOT the power supply, it's the DC jack soldering issue. But, a voltmeter will tell you that juice is flowing.

 

[flyboytim]

It may not be the jack socket on the netbook. It could be the DC cable as it enters the jack plug if the strain boot is too rigid, and the conductor strands have parted, on one or both conductors, only making the circuit if the cable is strained or twisted in a particular way.

In the UK, car boot sales often have a stall or two with boxes of pre-loved power adapters for various devices, at 50p or so each. You may find a suitable working substitute with a similar output (see below), or some adapter attached by cable to a plug that fits your netbook socket snugly, and it is then a case of crimping, soldering or otherwise connecting the plug's cables with a chocolate block connector etc., to that of your power supply, observing the correct polarity, and taping up the joint for mechanical and electrical protection.

There is often at least a 10% variation from the stated output of an external power supply, so if your power supply states 19V 3A, adapters rated 18.5V 3.5A, or 20V 3A should be OK, since the Netbook itself will have voltage regulation circuits to protect the batteries and electronics.