Blue gel is coming from my 60W Maglite power adapter

So I've had my macbook for probably 3 to 4 years. This is my second power adapter I believe and about six months ago it got a small cut in it and a blue goo started coming from the cut... I thought maybe it's just something to help cool down the wires if they get hot so I put some electrical tape on it and continue on. Now, those six months later, I saw the goo squeezing out from behind the tape so I go to take it off and the outside layer of the cord that holds all the wires basically melted away and I'm left with what you see below


User uploaded file

User uploaded file

An inch long length of my cord has disintegrated, the blue goo is well... as you can see, everywhere, the wires are showing, and yet somehow, it's still working. Firstly, I'd love to know just what the heck that is. If this blue stuff is going to affect my health, or if it's toxic, then we're going to have some problems. Both my family and I have been exposed to this and frankly, it's a bit disconcerting to see something like this all throughout the wire and oozing onto our desks and beds.


Secondly, I need to know what I can even do about this. I've been looking into other power cords only to see they're $80 and have very bad reviews. I don't want to end up with another cut up blue goo-oozing cord in a year which I have to replace yet again for $80.


Lastly, I want to thank you for taking the time to respond. I'm upset to be honest, and very concerned, but I know you guys just come here to help so I wanted to say thanks in advance.

MacBook, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5), 60W Maglite Power Adapter

Posted on Apr 26, 2015 10:31 AM

Reply
21 replies

Apr 26, 2015 11:31 AM in response to Hydrawolf

1. Get a new adaptor, whatever is up with it heat is bad.

2. Likewise with the blue gel

3. Heat means excessive power flow, a fault condition of some kind, do you want to spend the money investigating the cord or just replace it (hint: option 2 is cheaper) or take it to an Apple Store and insist on knowing what happened, and insisting on a replacement.

Nov 18, 2017 12:22 AM in response to Hydrawolf

I was just researching this topic as my lg phone charger could possibly be experianceing the same problem right now. At the end of the cord there is a blue tint to it that almost looks like its gone down the wire. However for me it isnt really a torn wire, it actally almost looks like somrone colored on it with a marker. I wonder it may be a change in how electronical cords are made.

Apr 26, 2015 3:31 PM in response to Hydrawolf

Hydrawolf wrote:


That doesn't at all explain what it is and whether it's dangerous or toxic, not to mention that's not the problem here. It's obvious I could buy a new adapter, but who's to say the same thing won't happen? Who's to say it'll even function, considering the reviews are absolutely horrible.

Do not attempt to repair it, as it is too damaged. Applying electrical tape over the damaged part of the cord can cause the cord to produce more heat and ignite.

Purchase a new adaptor and take the damaged one to your local Apple Store for analysis and the techs there should be able to identify the blue goo. I have never seen nor heard of an adaptor doing this, so it is certainly not a common issue, given the tens and tens of millions of Macs out there.


Cheers


Pete

Apr 26, 2015 11:16 AM in response to Csound1

Thanks for the reply.


I know it's strange, but that's definitely where it's coming from. I've seen posts of a clear gel coming from the cord on other sites but never this blue one. I have to wonder if something inside melted to make it, but I've got no clue what is inside the cord that could melt to make something blue AND still function. Also no idea why the cord would get hot enough for something inside to melt considering I've got it away from any heat sources and the like.

Apr 26, 2015 5:23 PM in response to Csound1

I shall indeed. I've contacted their support directly and they're just as stumped. They'll be calling back tomorrow with more (hopefully) I think one of the strangest part is the fact that it still works so if the blue stuff is actually something melted from inside, then it has to be something non-essential to whatever parts directly supply the power.

Apr 26, 2015 5:24 PM in response to Hydrawolf

Hydrawolf wrote:


I shall indeed. I've contacted their support directly and they're just as stumped. They'll be calling back tomorrow with more (hopefully) I think one of the strangest part is the fact that it still works so if the blue stuff is actually something melted from inside, then it has to be something non-essential to whatever parts directly supply the power.

Don't rely on that, it may continue to melt until the magic smoke appears.

Apr 27, 2015 3:21 PM in response to Hydrawolf

And their response was that apparently I somehow caused the blue gel. How I could possibly have caused it is a mystery but I fully intend to (after I get another router) take a video showing thar the blue gel is coming from inside the adapter cord. Is there any way any substance could have been absorbed through the outer layer of the cord and then oozed out after it got that small nick in it? O_o I find it highly unlikely, but I'm definitely going to get to the bottom of this and get Apple to admit that whatever this was, it was because of their cord, not me.


I don't take the laptop anywhere outside of home, no strange liquids around it or... anything blue or jelly-ish so... ugh well I'll find out sooner or later just what it is. For now, I thank you all for the help. If anyone else thinks of what it could be, I'd love to hear their insight.

Apr 27, 2015 3:40 PM in response to Hydrawolf

Hydrawolf wrote:


This is my second power adapter I believe and about six months ago it got a small cut in it and a blue goo started coming from the cut...


From your comment, its clear and definite that the blueish gel originally came from within the wire.


So, you can’t be held responsible because you said that the gel soon started oozing out as soon as it developed a cut... right....??


Even I am hearing this strange issue for the first time because I have seen so many power plugs cracked or burnt without any evidence of this kind out blueish goo...

Apr 27, 2015 3:41 PM in response to Grane Duke

It really doesn't smell like anything in particular, mostly I just smell the plastic cord just as you normally would.


As for going to an outside source, my grandfather was an electrician for some 20 years and worked on computer quite a bit too so I'm going to ask him about it and see if he has any ideas or knows of anyone that might be able to help. If that doesn't work, I'll be finding someone else that (hopefully) will.


One idea I had after searching more online was that it could be oxidized copper (it gives a similar color) which somehow melted to make the goo, but I haven't a clue if there's copper in the wiring at all, not to mention if there's even enough to make as much gel as there is. Either way, I'll figure it out soon enough. Everybody loves a good mystery... well, one that isn't potentially harmful to your health or home anyway XD.

Apr 27, 2015 3:52 PM in response to Hydrawolf

Hydrawolf, but you really make sure that you get to the bottom of this mysterious goo and keep on updating us.


This case can be one of a kind and if it ever happens to someone else, your research and findings will definitely prove beneficial to the person who might experience it. It won’t be anything less then a new discovery in tech world....😉


Do let us known about your findings.

Apr 27, 2015 5:06 PM in response to Hydrawolf

Hydrawolf wrote:


Yeah I'm not sure what he was thinking really... could've just assumed I was lying and wanted a free cord. I don't think the apple support guy really wanted to find out that badly either. A problem that happens to one cord out of millions wouldn't rank very high.

You can take the Blue Gel to a public Lab and have it tested if you don't believe Apple. I too have never seen Blue Gel in a Magsafe charger or cord, and I have dismantled them more than once.

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Blue gel is coming from my 60W Maglite power adapter

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