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[Shiseiji]

John, that auto adapter cord has the ultra-common 5.5mm x 2.1mm plug. The XO uses the really uncommon 5.5mm x 1.75mm.

Great information. I used it and the polarity information (from inside the battery compartment as someone pointed out) to update http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Battery_and_power where I first looked for the information on polarity and voltage (polarity is not on the pdf specification sheet).

Ron

[Chris J]

OK, here is the CHEAP solution to the 12 V adapter problem, from a CHEAP (not thrifty, really cheap) XO owner:

Note: this requires some minor handtool skills (soldering and drilling).

1. Get hold of a size M 12 volt car adapter. Radio Shack sells them. Type M connectors are common as dirt, unlike the real XO adapter size, which is common as diamonds.

2. Put the M connector end in a vise.

3. Solder the center hole closed. Take your time and do a good job, making sure the solder flows well without melting the insulator.

4. Drill out the center hole with a 1/16" drill.

You're done. It will work well if you didn't muff the drilling part and end up with another oversize hole. It might not last forever, since the solder is soft, but you can always do it over if the connection gets sloppy. Beats paying $20 or more for what should be a$5 part.

OK, now let's find the rocket scientist that decided to use a weird connector for the XO DC input, and paint a bullseye on his bald head so everyone knows where to throw things.

[Retrofit]

So if you guys had to recommend one adaptor for the guy on a budget that can be used out of the box, which would it be?  I've looked at all the links, but it's to much information for my KISS brain.
Any advice is appreciated,

Chuck

[eden]

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/iGo-Auto-Air-40-Portable-DVD-Power-Adapter/2936106/product.html

I ordered this $19.99 item on Mike Lee's advice, got it on Thursday, and it works great in the car to charge the XO laptop.  Mike Lee has also used it to hook up a solar panel too.

[Mike Lee]

Source page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/curiouslee/2174140794/ (there are a few more notes)

Well back in December, forum member gweigleb found a car power adapter (read here) at Target for $9.99 that has a plug that works with the XO. Tonight, after venturing out for the first time from two days of head cold, I finally remembered to pick one up and verified for myself that it does indeed charge the XO.

I had reservations about using the smaller diameter plug in the XO power socket, but the Vector 4.75mm plug clicks firmly into place. Even though it's a looser fit, I think in a cramped car environment, there's much less chance of someone tripping over the cord and causing a strong yank to the XO power socket. What this cheaper adapter lacks over the more popular iGo Auto/Air Power 40 is the coiled cord and auto voltage sensing.

But if you're on a budget and just occaisionally using this adapter in the car, I'd say go for it. Cash 'n carry!

Mike


This is available at Target, Walgreens, Best Buy and online:

Walgreens - $9.99
www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?id=prod1401720&CA...

Amazon - Vector Mfg. VEC009 Universal DC Adapter $11.51
www.amazon.com/Vector-Mfg-VEC009-Universal-Adapter/dp/B00...

Google search
www.google.com/search?q=Vector+Power+DC+Adapter+VEC009&am...

[Mike Lee]

While collecting some links for the Vector auto power adaptor, I noticed that a stock of the discontinued Targus re-labeled version of the iGo Auto/Air 40 adapter may be coming soon to Target and Amazon online for $8.99:

Targus 40-watt Automatic Air DVD Charger APD51US-10 Sale - $8.99
"Item arriving in 2 to 6 weeks ... only available online.
www.target.com/Targus-40-watt-Automatic-Air-Charger/dp/B0...

Amazon - $8.99
www.amazon.com/Targus-40%252dwatt-Automatic-Charger-APD51...

Worth keeping an eye out anyway...

[unrequited]

While collecting some links for the Vector auto power adaptor, I noticed that a stock of the discontinued Targus re-labeled version of the iGo Auto/Air 40 adapter may be coming soon to Target and Amazon online for $8.99:

Targus 40-watt Automatic Air DVD Charger APD51US-10 Sale - $8.99
"Item arriving in 2 to 6 weeks ... only available online.
www.target.com/Targus-40-watt-Automatic-Air-Charger/dp/B0...

Amazon - $8.99
www.amazon.com/Targus-40%252dwatt-Automatic-Charger-APD51...

Worth keeping an eye out anyway...

YOINK! Thanks for the heads up... ordered.

[Carol]

While collecting some links for the Vector auto power adaptor, I noticed that a stock of the discontinued Targus re-labeled version of the iGo Auto/Air 40 adapter may be coming soon to Target and Amazon online for $8.99:

Another great find from the inimitable Mike Lee.  These are such a bargain and you never know when you may need one.  Or when, if ever, anything comparable will be available again.

[Mike Lee]

I just can't be 100% sure this is *exactly* the same kit as the iGo Auto/Air Power 40. I looked all around, including on the Targus site, and couldn't find any product information. These Targus adapters have probably been discontinued even longer than the iGo and someone just found a stash of them in some warehouse. At $8.99, if they do indeed make an appearance, you can still afford to buy the correct iGo tip if it doesn't happen to have the D00.

[GregYohn]

Hi!

I used the  iGo Auto/Air Power 40 D00 tip for my XO and it has a loose connection.

Yesterday, I tried it on another XO and it was tight. Any ideas on how to improve the grip the D00 tip has on my machine?

[Retrofit]

In the effort to remain impartial I opted to go to what ever came first in terms of stores.  Walgreens was first.  Walgreens has two electronics sections, one up front with higher end items like ipod items, and one in back for general accessories.  I point this out because if you stop at the electronics up front you probably won't see it.  "in back", the electronics aisle had the Vector vec 009 for $10.99, which others confirmed work.  I bought found the fitter snug, but acceptable and immediately began charging my XO.  Thanks for the adcivice. I'll be sharing this with both the Chicago and Rockford groups as soon as we meet.

Chuck

[Gabey8]

In the effort to remain impartial I opted to go to what ever came first in terms of stores.  Walgreens was first.  Walgreens has two electronics sections, one up front with higher end items like ipod items, and one in back for general accessories.  I point this out because if you stop at the electronics up front you probably won't see it.  "in back", the electronics aisle had the Vector vec 009 for $10.99, which others confirmed work.  I bought found the fitter snug, but acceptable and immediately began charging my XO.  Thanks for the adcivice. I'll be sharing this with both the Chicago and Rockford groups as soon as we meet.

Chuck

Target did the same thing with their Vector 009 chargers -- after I ordered an iGo online, I saw a Vector charger in Target in the AUTOMOTIVE section, not in the electronics section which was where I thought to look first.

Note to self -- look for any car chargers that I might need, ever again, in the automotive section if I can't find them in the regular electronics section of a store.

[CatMoran]

I bought an iGo Auto/Air Power 40, with the D00 tip, it works like a charm.

But, I wish it was air/auto/hotelroom. The fewer cables/adapters/etc on the road the better, right?

The tip's connection to the iGo 40 looks almost identical to the connection on the tips for the smaller iGo Everywhere. The XO needs a lot less power than the typical laptop/dvd player, so I figured I'd try the D00 on the Everywhere.

There was a small bit of plastic on the D00 to keep it from connecting to the Everywhere cable, about 2 seconds with a sharp knife took care of that. I plugged it all in, and the XO started charging.

And the Everywhere jumped from its usual 110F to 114F in a few minutes.

I'm not going to try it again unless someone can give me an educated guess as to whether I'm going to cook my Everywhere with this kludge.

Anyone? Bueller?

[Mike Lee]

This adapter is certainly going for cheap at RadioShack.com right now--a little over $20.

I took a look at a photo of the back of the iGo AC charger here:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,55384&start=2

It puts out 3.1 - 9 volts, so when I saw this in Radio Shack a few months ago when I started looking around for power adapter options, I rejected it. 9 volts is well below the minimum threshold of the XO power supply, which I have read is 9.85 volts. Below 9.85, the XO isn't supposed to charge or turn on.

Does your setup charge *as well as* run the laptop? See if you can get a voltage reading with a meter.

In theory, running your power in such a borderline situation shouldn't hurt the laptop. It's hard to predict the effect on the iGo.

~

[CatMoran]

Does your setup charge *as well as* run the laptop? See if you can get a voltage reading with a meter.

In theory, running your power in such a borderline situation shouldn't hurt the laptop. It's hard to predict the effect on the iGo.

According to the battery alias ('echo -n "Battery %= " ; cat /sys/devices/platform/olpc-battery.0/power_supply/olpc-battery/capacity ; echo -n "Battery Status: " ; cat /sys/devices/platform/olpc-battery.0/power_supply/olpc-battery/status') it was charging, and increased by about 2% during the ~five minutes it was plugged in.

But if I'm reading this correctly, my discontinued iGo is a lot cooler than I thought. I did have the XO plugged into the secondary output, I had no idea that would make a difference.

So it's probably perfectly fine for the XO, but I don't know if I want to risk ruining my iGo. Otoh, what's the use of having one that's got an irreplaceable feature if I don't use it?

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