Q: Breaking Magsafe Adapter

You may want to consider using electrical tape instead of Duct tape. Your dealing with an exposed wire.

You can pick up a roll for two bucks just about anywhere.

Since you'll be getting your shiny new power brick soon and the damaged one retired, it won't matter. But I try to avoid using electrical tape in high wear and tear applications, cause the adhesive usually leaves a black mess. Much better to use rubber self-amalgamating tape. It does not have adhesive at all, you stretch it 50% and wrap it upon itself. 24 hours later, it will have fused into a solid rubber covering that lasts many times longer and will cause no mess. Here are the three different brands I get over here:

That sounds like some pretty sweet tape.

I'm going to pick some up.

I recently had the fraying issue with my L-shaped adapter.
My macbook pro is 2 years out of warranty come April 2013.

I went to the Apple store and was told that it wasn't covered and would have to purchase a new magsafe charger.

I tried calling Apple support and I was told the same thing.

I feel this issue is not my fault and I should not be responsible for replacing the magsafe charger. They should let customers know about this expected recurring cost for this RECURRING ISSUE when they sell the Macbook Pro products. The senior representative I spoke to on the phone even admitted that the cords will eventually fray due to stress, and that they changed the style from T-shape to L-shape to prolong the issue. I guess to prolong it happening until enough time has passed after your warranty ends, that they won't feel guilty about not replacing it.

I also had the same fraying issue on my T-shaped adapter when I had my black Macbook a few years ago. It was out of warranty but they replaced it with no problem at all. (I suppose because of the recall that was mentioned earlier in the thread). One of my iOS USB cables frayed as well.

Needless to say, I'm very disappointed with Apple. They tried to tell me that it's unfair to warranted users if they replaced my faulty part for free. I don't think it's relevant since I took care of my product as I was supposed to and the issue still presented itself. It seems that Apple is knowingly selling this faulty part without letting buyers know this fraying issue WILL eventually happen - even with proper maintenance. If anything, it's unfair to all the buyers who are not made aware of the fraying issue at the point of sale.

I am a graduate student and I don't have money to keep throwing at Apple for hardware issues that are clearly the fault of the manufacturer. I have since ordered a different branded (and more reasonably-priced) magsafe knockoff and I most likely will not be investing any more funds into any of Apple's devices.

I regret ever investing in Apple's Time Capsule, Macbook/Macbook Pro, iPhone, iPhone 3g, iPhone 3gs, iPhone 4, iPhone 4s, iPad, and accessories. Basically, I have little respect for companies who fail to stand behind their products and their defects (at their fault) just because of a warranty or lackthereof.

Had my fraying T-plug replaced in August 2011. It's February 2013, and the L-plug replacement is so frayed that the wire casing is completely seperated exposing the guts. Brought it in, and the Apple dude basically said I'm screwed. I'm unemployed and scrounging for rent. I can't afford 80 bucks! Apple makes great computers, but ****** accesories. Why is it so hard for Apple to make power cords from stronger stuff than papier-mâché?!?

I bought this charger instead of Apple's: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009AXYJT6/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&p sc=1

If the Mac ever crashes & burns and you decide to take it in for service, be sure NOT to take that Duck-brand charger with it. Else whatever warranty you have left will be automatically voided.

Just sayin.....

Well, I only bought it because my warranty has already lasped and Apple wouldn't help me at all.
They would have replaced it no problem if my Mac was still under warranty.

So, it was more economical for me to buy the off-brand charger for 1/4 of the price that Apple charges.

Tell me about it!

My previous Early '08 MBP blew its brick in Dec. '11, or so I thought when it ceased charging the battery. Invested in a new Apple-branded brick, only to watch the thing blow its logic board 5 days later.

But the replacement brick is still working happily with my new MBP so I can have one in the office and one at home and not have to lug it about.

My last power-brick-problem was a fraying of the Magsafe end - on an L-connector, right next to the connector itself.  So it's impossible to solder it back together unless I can cut off about a quarter-inch of the ALUMINUM shell of the L-connector itself - not exactly easy.  I used a chisel and a hammer to make about a 1/32-1/16 inch dent in the metal, but I'm not sure that could cleanly cut all the way through without breaking the rubber surrounding the wire braid inside.

Would it be possible (easily DIY) to basically encase the end of the L-connector and the first inch or so of the cable itself in a lucite brick or something?

I had a similiar problem where the cable got all burnt going into the charger. After reading up on it, you can get a replacement charger for free if you are eligible and from the US:

http://www.cultofmac.com/128714/appl...ement-program/

If, like me, you are no from the US, I was able to successfully repair my charger using the guide here:

http://warrantyvoidifremoved.blogspo...-cable-on.html

I hope this helps.

Thank you for this post.

I went back to the Apple store and showed them their own knowledge base article and was able to exchange my adapter.

They first tried to say it didn't apply to the L-shaped adapter; I thought it was interesting they could say that when the article doesn't differentiate between which adapter it applies to.

As the associate said I would get my charger replaced, he pointed out that the area where the fraying occured on my charger wasn't the same as what was described. So it seems that Apple still doesn't own up to the fact their product will fray after using it properly as instructed, and that they just wanted to replace my charger to get me out of their hair.

Regardless, I saved $79.