emailogram
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: voltage

Hello,

 

 

I have a MacBook Pro from 2007. Today it powered off and would not power on after operating for about 25 minutes.

There was no amber or green light on the power cable connector.

 

I tried another recepticle but had nothing. Removed the battery performed a reset then took it to an Apple Store.

 

It powered on with their adapter and mine. Wiggled the cable around but it was fine.

 

The building I was working in was built in 1807. However I am not sure when the wiring is from.

I was thinking the Power Adapter might not work if there was too low voltage but the adapter is rated for 100-240 volts.

I went back to the building and had an intermittent green light from a few circuits so I did not power it on.

 

They had renovations performed in .1999, have a 100 amp service but I do not know about the wiring.

 

I came home and it's been working fine for about 90 minutes

 

Do these power adapter become flakey after a while?

 

It is a:

85W MagSafe Power Adapter

Model Number 1222 (the invoice lists it as part # MA598Z/A

 

100-240V-1.5A 50-60Hz

 

Note: This has the issue with the wire shielding sliding away from the adapter (if that makes any sense).

That occurred around 2009.

 

 

 

I am not sure if these are relevant but I will post them.

 

In November 2009 the LCD did not work and Apple replaced a board with a PCBA MLB 2.2 GHz Rev2 (under the protection plan).

Unfortunately, I did not notice the speed. I had a 2.6 GHz but that is beyond the scope of this posting.

 

The past 12-16 the LCD brightness flickers, dims, brightens, etc.

MacBook Pro, 85W MagSafe Power Adapter

Posted on May 5, 2014 1:17 PM

by Ralph Landry1,Solvedanswer
Ralph Landry1 Ralph Landry1
Level 8 (41,782 points)
A:

These are the power adapters that go back to 2006: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2346

 

That battery says it needs to be replaced as it has a very low capacity.

 

And being on the same circuit as an AC is a recipe for wildly fluctuating power...I would definitely get on a different circuit, especially with such an old wiring system.

Posted on May 5, 2014 2:14 PM

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emailogram

Q: voltage

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  • by OGELTHORPE,Helpful

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE May 5, 2014 1:22 PM in response to emailogram
    Level 9 (52,705 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 5, 2014 1:22 PM in response to emailogram

    Based on what you have described, an AC voltage regulator should solve your problem.  It may be a good idea to have a competent electrician come in and inspect your home electrical system.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Ralph Landry1,Helpful

    Ralph Landry1 May 5, 2014 1:25 PM in response to emailogram
    Level 8 (41,782 points)
    May 5, 2014 1:25 PM in response to emailogram

    You have a lot of potential issues:

     

    1.  The building power may be dropping below 100 volts which will cause the power adapter to drop out and not power the MBP...over voltage is not a problem as it can handle up to 240 volts, sustained.  It cannot raise the votage to the needed 100 volts, however.  Old buildings with uncertain wiring can very easily produce voltage dips of that magnitude.

     

    2.  Damaged wires on the power adapter need to be replaced right away, a damaged power adapter should not be used.

     

    3.  You have a history of problems with the MBP that could indicate power issues, but since the unit worked fne at teh Apple store and again at home on a solid power source leads one to believe the MBP itself is pretty good, but aging so it needs watching.

     

    Go to the apple left side of the menu bar, About This Mac, More Info, System Report, Hardware, Power and what does it say about the battery Condition, Cycle Count, Capacity and Voltage.  Lower down under AC Charger Info what does it say about the charger wattage and model.

  • by emailogram,

    emailogram emailogram May 5, 2014 2:07 PM in response to Ralph Landry1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 5, 2014 2:07 PM in response to Ralph Landry1

    This is my 2nd battery. 4-6 weeks ago it displayed symptoms of going lame. It was drained when the laptop shutdown. Quite honestly, I was not paying attention to the cable (green, amber or off).

     

    Battery:

    Charge Information:

    Charge remaining (mAh):    0

    Fully charged:    No

    Charging:    Yes

    Full charge capacity (mAh):    1764

     

    Cycle count: 29

    Condition: Check Battery

     

    Amperage (mA): 2107

    Voltage (mV): 12258

     

     

    AC Charger Information:

    Connected:    Yes

    ID:    0x0100

    Wattage (W):    85

    Revision:    0x0000

    Family:    0x00ba

    Serial Number:    0x*****8e6

    Charging:    Yes

     

    In regards to replacing the dangerous power adapter, I'll get one from a third party. The Apple Store Rep. said me my laptop is "vintage" which I learned means Apple no longer provides parts (i.e. Power Adapter). Unless I am in California which has some law which makes them provide parts for 7 years.

     

    FYI- I suppose this is quite different but the only other things I have seen operating with power in this facility are a vacuum cleaner, a few coffee makers and the electronic stove, a window air conditioner, a gas forced hot air heater and a few lights.

     

    Perhaps I should try the independant circuit of the AC?

     

    Thanks

     

     

     

    <Personal Information Edited by Host>

  • by Ralph Landry1,Solvedanswer

    Ralph Landry1 May 5, 2014 2:14 PM in response to emailogram
    Level 8 (41,782 points)
    May 5, 2014 2:14 PM in response to emailogram

    These are the power adapters that go back to 2006: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2346

     

    That battery says it needs to be replaced as it has a very low capacity.

     

    And being on the same circuit as an AC is a recipe for wildly fluctuating power...I would definitely get on a different circuit, especially with such an old wiring system.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE May 5, 2014 3:11 PM in response to emailogram
    Level 9 (52,705 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 5, 2014 3:11 PM in response to emailogram

    This charger which is sold by Apple will work with your MBP:

     

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC461LL/A/apple-60w-magsafe-power-adapter-for- macbook-and-13-inch-macbook-pro

     

    Ciao.

  • by emailogram,

    emailogram emailogram May 5, 2014 3:32 PM in response to Ralph Landry1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 5, 2014 3:32 PM in response to Ralph Landry1

    The AC is not in the window. I'm thinking the circuit and wiring were run in 1999 so I should be able to check it out there. Come to think of it, one of the recpticles I tried was an independent 20 amp kitchen ciruit. The kitchen was installed in 1999. I think what I'll do is purchase a safe 85W power adapter and battery then see what happens.

     

    Do you think the batteries for this laptop have been on the shelf for a while? Would you know/recomend any vendor for an item like this?

     

     

    Thanks a lot.

  • by PlotinusVeritas,

    PlotinusVeritas PlotinusVeritas May 5, 2014 3:37 PM in response to emailogram
    Level 6 (14,806 points)
    May 5, 2014 3:37 PM in response to emailogram

    If you bought a junky Ebay aftermarket battery, thats your issue.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE May 5, 2014 3:42 PM in response to emailogram
    Level 9 (52,705 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 5, 2014 3:42 PM in response to emailogram

    I just noticed that I gave a link to the 60w adapter, not the 85w adapter:

     

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC556LL/B/apple-85w-magsafe-power-adapter-for- 15-and-17-inch-macbook-pro?fnode=5a

     

    If you need a replacement battery, get it from Apple.  It will work and come with a warranty.

     

    Ciao.

  • by emailogram,

    emailogram emailogram May 5, 2014 3:50 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 5, 2014 3:50 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas

    This battery was replaced by Apple. I'm pretty sure it was after the Apple Care expired but they did not charge (pun inteded) for it.

  • by emailogram,

    emailogram emailogram May 5, 2014 3:55 PM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 5, 2014 3:55 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

    I was under the assumption that I would not be able to purchase a bettery from Apple since it was "vintage".

    However, I found this one:

     

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA348LL/A/rechargeable-battery-15-inch-macbook -pro?fnode=5a

     

    I am not sure if this is the correct battery. the only useful information on my battery is model No. A1175.

    I only product information on this page is 60 watt-house which is what I have.

     

    Is there a way to determine if this is the correct battery? Even if I do $130 is a bit much.

     

    Thanks a lot.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE May 5, 2014 4:31 PM in response to emailogram
    Level 9 (52,705 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 5, 2014 4:31 PM in response to emailogram

    Apple still sell batteries for 2006 MBPs so I am sure they have or can get a genuine battery for your MBP.   I suggest that you bring your MBP into the Apple store.  Bring the battery receipt. If the battery is found to be faulty, depending upon when you purchased the battery, you might get one gratis.

     

    Ciao.

  • by Ralph Landry1,

    Ralph Landry1 May 5, 2014 4:53 PM in response to emailogram
    Level 8 (41,782 points)
    May 5, 2014 4:53 PM in response to emailogram

    I agree with OGELTHORPE that the best approach is to take the MBP and battery receipt with you to an Apple store genius bar and have the techs see about the battery you have and about an appropriate replacement.  The charger is also a good idea.  Batteries do sit on the shelf for a period and are degraded when you get them.

     

    Try the unit on different circuits in that building to see how it performs, still could be dirty power supply causing some of your problems.

  • by emailogram,

    emailogram emailogram May 31, 2014 12:02 PM in response to emailogram
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 31, 2014 12:02 PM in response to emailogram

    I have not changed the AC adapter yet. Just wanted to check in and say this happened two days in a row at the same location on the same circuit ans has not ocurred again.

     

    The circuit breaker, wiring and receptacle were all installed in 1999.  Since it has not happened anywhere else I'll right it off as a bad circuit. Thing is, I still do not know what was bad. I'm assuming it was low voltage. The adapter is specced down to 100 volts.

     

    The 2nd day I took a tester and when it shutoff I tested the receptacle and it was 115 volts but I have had UPS' beeping from brownouts (low voltage) and it is so short. By the time I got the tester in the receptacle it was more than likely gone anyway.

     

    Thanks a lot.

  • by Ralph Landry1,

    Ralph Landry1 May 31, 2014 1:07 PM in response to emailogram
    Level 8 (41,782 points)
    May 31, 2014 1:07 PM in response to emailogram

    Brownouts can involve two factors: voltage and frequency.  While the circuit may have tested at 115 v one day, from the sound of the problems you are having it could well have dropped bellow 100 v and could have even had a frequency drop depending on what else is on the circuit.  This is where a really good electrician is helpful, one who knows circuit fault analysis.  Look at everything connecting to that circuid, and trace the circuit and all devices connecting to see if somewhwere there is a drop to ground or even a current loop occuring.

     

    Anyway, good to hear from you and the continuing saga.

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