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Question

Rebuild Transformer

Apr 8, 2012 7:34PM PDT

Hi;
I have a white Macbook (regular) with a square transformer that plugs in. It's about 4"*4"*.75". The plug and everything else (such as 2 "arms" around which to wrap the cable) fold into the transformer. The cable is breaking right where it enters the transformer. I want to disassemble it and shorten the length of the cable enough to cut out the area where it's shorting out. However, there are no screws. How do I get into the transformer? Stick a knife or flat-head screwdriver in where the 2 parts of the case join?
TIA,
Beno

Discussion is locked

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Answer
The two halves are probably glued together
Apr 8, 2012 9:58PM PDT

and will no come apart easily.

There is no guarantee that once you finally force it apart, that you will be able to do what you want with it and then get it back together in a safe manner.

Far simpler and quicker to purchase a new or refurbished one and move along.

P

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Answer
I seem to recall
Apr 8, 2012 10:20PM PDT

I seem to recall there being some kind of lawsuit involving something like this and Apple replacing the adapters for free as part of a lawsuit settlement. Especially if the end that plugs into the laptop looks more like a "T" than an "L". That makes it an older style magsafe adapter.

I personally wouldn't recommend trying to take that thing apart unless you really know what you're doing with a soldering iron. You are, after all, essentially risking some kind of electrical fire this way. Granted probably no more than you are now, but there's also the fact that as far as I've ever been able to tell, those adapters are sealed with glue, so once you break that bond you'll never get it to stick the same way again. Then you just traded one problem for another because now things will be able to find their way inside the adapter and potentially cause problems.

First thing I'd do is look into the replacement of those things, if that ends up a bust, it's probably worth paying the money to just get a new 60W adapter. I want to say they run around 40USD.