So I got a laptop - an Acer Aspire V5 - for free, but I didn’t get a charger for it.
However, I have a charger from an old laptop that no longer works.
The caveat is, the laptop requires DC 19V and 2.15A. Meanwhile, my charger supplies 19V and 4A.
So can I use the charger even though it supplies more amps than the laptop’s specifications?
yes, as long as the V is the same. But I'm not an electrical engineer.
The charger will be just fine, it's vital the Voltage is correct (which it is) but the laptop will draw as much current as it needs, so if the laptop only needs 2.15A then it will only draw up to that. In fact, the Current of the charger should be over the required current.
Voltage is the same? Then you are good to go.
The amperage is the maximum the charger can handle, it will not "force" that current to flow.
Absolutely ! HOWEVER the protections for your laptop were for 2.x amps now the adapter clamps at 4.X amps, that must be considered ! Battery charging will be affected in the same manner !
edit the 2 to 4 amps , roughly means that the 19 volts is being pushed TWICE as hard.......
WHAT?
Edit after close call with a heart attack:
If you pc draws a maximum of 400W (that is 12V @ 33.33A), even a 1600W (12V @ 133.33A) PSU will not kill it. Simple reason: The amperage gives the diameter of the pipe, the voltage the pressure.
^^^ This is the correct answer to this thread.
dont think you're right
this might help you
http://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/watt-volt-amp-calculator.htm
i LIKE IT BETTER THE OTHER WAY !
but I agree with the general thought ! (I was in service, it surfaces occasionally ! (lol)
I was mainly referring to the possibility of a problem with the laptop; more damage will occur if more amps are available
If the regulator circuits fail, hope is lost anyway. No matter if it dies at 2A or 4A. Overcurrent is overcurrent.
what do you want me to say, better safe than sorry !!!
Lol maxcat, nothing's safe when you have a dud power supply straight up serving 120v Ac current to your laptop. Doesn't matter if it's 2a or 4a lmao.
Sure you're good but if the charger is not that smart will push more amperage resulting in more heat of the charging circuit and the whole PC. For example I've got for my smartphone a smart Anker charger than can push a maximum of 2.4A but is able to read the charging ciruit and give out the right amount of amperes. If that charger does that you're good, if not I advise against using it long term.