08.11.02
Newton AC Adapter Notes
Now that the Wi-Fi connection is working, I’d like to get a couple of accessories for my Newton MessagePad 2000. Highest on my list is a power adapter, so that I can plug it into the wall and operate withput having to drop in freshly recharged batties constantly. (The wi-fi card takes a lot of juice.)
So I’ve found the following info:
http://www.chuma.org/newton/faq/newton-faq-hardware.html#IIB7
7) What kind of AC power adapters should I use?
“The best advice is to use a Newton-branded adapter. Any Newton adapter will work with any Newton. There are two adapters, the original adapter (shipped with MP1x0s) and the 9W adapter (officially for MP2x00 and eMates). Both work in every Newton but the 9W adapter charges batteries faster than the original adapter (except in the MP100).”
More in the read more section.
Then there were some recent e-mails:
“The Radio Shack unit that is mentioned in the FAQ (http://www.chuma.org/newton/faq/newton-faq-hardware.html#IIB7) has been working fine for my wife now and hasn’t given us any problems. It’s
also fairly useful since it comes with a million adapter tips so you canuse it with pretty much anything in your house.”
And this message as well:
“The other issue is that the Newton is very well matched to the voltage/current characteristics of the original power adaptor. So you can achieve optimum results for charging the battery inside the Newt in case of you use the original power supply only.
“The ideal alternative power adapter should have voltage regulation AND active current limitation as well.
“Most of the ac adaptors you can find are very simple – only one way rectifier, no regulation, no active current limitation. I do not recommend using such an adaptor.
“If you use a regulated adaptor with an output of 6 V I do not expect any risk for the Newt, but the batteries will charge very slowly.
“If you intend to use an regulated adaptor with 7.5 V output voltage you should be very careful regarding the max. charging current.
“What I successfully did was using a laboratory power supply, set to max. 7 V output voltage and max. 1A output current. But charging in this configuration is still remarkably slower compared to charging with the original power supply.
“You should be very very careful doing experiments with different power sources – I am burned already – I destroyed my MP2100 once completely.”
http://www.chuma.org/newton/faq/newton-faq-hardware.html#IIB7:
7) What kind of AC power adapters should I use?
The best advice is to use a Newton-branded adapter. Any Newton adapter will work with any Newton. There are two adapters, the original adapter (shipped with MP1x0s) and the 9W adapter (officially for MP2x00 and eMates). Both work in every Newton but the 9W adapter charges batteries faster than the original adapter (except in the MP100).
Apple published a tech note about that: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?orig=til&artnum=21114
Too many Newtons have had their power supplies fried using third party adaptors. However, if you want to try at your own risk, please note that, on MP2k, adapters should have the following characteristics:
(-)==(*—(+), 5V DC, 400 mA [This one works, even to recharge batteries, in both a MP2x00 and a MP120] This diagram means that the plus is inside and the minus is outside. I’m not an ASCII artist, but this looks a little bit like the diagram on both the original adapter and this adapter.
Helmut Fischer reported: On my original 9W power adapter (MP2100) it says 7.5V 1.2A. It also
works with the MP130.
Carl Schultz reports:
I have been using a Radio Shack AC adapter for almost a year now. It is the 3-12 volt adjustable model. The new model # is 273-1680 ($34.99 list) and is rated at 1000mA. Mine is the older 800mA model but otherwise is the same. The adapter came with several different plug ends, none of which was correct
for my MP2000. I had to buy another one, which I don’t have the part number for, but it has a yellow end if that helps (they are all color coded). This end may now be included with the adapter, since the Radio Shack description states that 4 of the included ends are “new”. Make sure that you install the connector in the “tip positive” configuration. I’ve been using mine daily at work with no problems.
Michael Vacik reports that the RadioShack plug adapter to use is the Adaptaplug C:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?cookie%5Ftest=1&catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F004%5F001%5F003%5F000&product%5Fid=273%2D1706
You might want to check Johannes Wolf’s advice:
http://marc.theaimsgroup.com/?l=newtontalk&m=102812823519465&w=2