PowerBook 1xx USB-C PD Adapter

[wottle]

Hi!

I would like to have an adapter for my PowerBooks, especially 180c, 540c, G4 (I have a late 17" G4 that makes the power adapter SUPER hot), and G3 style (I have a 3400 and 1400 that uses the same). Last I checked all my power adapters work but hunting them down and dealing especially with the 500 series is not something I am looking forward to dealing with. What would be an all-in price?

The 180 requires a buck converter to knock the voltage down to 7.5v, but I've used 20v adapters with my g4 and G3s with no issues, so you could get those a bit cheaper since they just require the USB trigger board. I think the USB trigger boards are ~$3 each, the cables are a usually $3 or so each, and the iBook G3 adapter it $7 + shipping, but unfortunately the store where I got mine seems to no longer have stock.

So, for the 180, you'd have a buck converter ($2) and the USB-C trigger board ($3), and the standard power 5.5mmx.2.5mm jack ($3).
For the G4 adapter, I'd recommend a boost converter ($2) and the USB-C trigger board ($3) and a 2.5mm headphone jack for the power plug ($4)
For the G3/3400/1400, I could build you an adapter that you'd just could get one of the C11 adapters to make it work when they come back in stock, or if you have a bad charger I could try to harvest the connector from, I could wire it up. It would be the USB-trigger board ($3) and a standard 5.5mmx2.5mm jack ($3).
For the PB5xx, it would be a 15v USB-C trigger board ($3) and one of my 3d printed, custom assembled cables ($8). Note that my PB5xx adapters only power the laptop and do not charge the battery because the battery requires a separate 16v, current limited supply so I connected only the pins for powering the laptop.
That would be 4 adapters. I'd use my own printer to print the cases for $6 for all 4, but if you wanted the higher quality resin prints, that would likely run $20 for all 4.

So, with PLA, some printed cases, you'd be looking at around $40 + shipping, With the nicer resin cases, it would be $54 + shipping.

EDIT: I just checked my 20v adapter with my 17" G4 and it seems that my position of "20v is fine!" may not hold on the larger powerbooks. It did work with my 24v adapter, so I'd recommend adding $2 for the boost converter for the G4 adapter. I updated my recommendation and cost above.

 

[PacNPal]

The 180 requires a buck converter to knock the voltage down to 7.5v, but I've used 20v adapters with my g4 and G3s with no issues, so you could get those a bit cheaper since they just require the USB trigger board. I think the USB trigger boards are ~$3 each, the cables are a usually $3 or so each, and the iBook G3 adapter it $7 + shipping, but unfortunately the store where I got mine seems to no longer have stock.

So, for the 180, you'd have a buck converter ($2) and the USB-C trigger board ($3), and the standard power 5.5mmx.2.5mm jack ($3).
For the G4 adapter, I'd recommend a boost converter ($2) and the USB-C trigger board ($3) and a 2.5mm headphone jack for the power plug ($4)
For the G3/3400/1400, I could build you an adapter that you'd just could get one of the C11 adapters to make it work when they come back in stock, or if you have a bad charger I could try to harvest the connector from, I could wire it up. It would be the USB-trigger board ($3) and a standard 5.5mmx2.5mm jack ($3).
For the PB5xx, it would be a 15v USB-C trigger board ($3) and one of my 3d printed, custom assembled cables ($8). Note that my PB5xx adapters only power the laptop and do not charge the battery because the battery requires a separate 16v, current limited supply so I connected only the pins for powering the laptop.
That would be 4 adapters. I'd use my own printer to print the cases for $6 for all 4, but if you wanted the higher quality resin prints, that would likely run $20 for all 4.

So, with PLA, some printed cases, you'd be looking at around $40 + shipping, With the nicer resin cases, it would be $54 + shipping.

EDIT: I just checked my 20v adapter with my 17" G4 and it seems that my position of "20v is fine!" may not hold on the larger powerbooks. It did work with my 24v adapter, so I'd recommend adding $2 for the boost converter for the G4 adapter. I updated my recommendation and cost above.

I'd take the $54 + shipping option. If you're willing to do it, I'll happily pay.

 

[wottle]

I'd take the $54 + shipping option. If you're willing to do it, I'll happily pay.

Sure. They’re relatively quick to assemble.

DM me and we can hash out the details and I can get the resin cases ordered and any parts I don’t already have on hand.

 

[unlawfulsoup]

Are you willing to build a 520c adapter? If so I am interested.

 

[wottle]

Are you willing to build a 520c adapter? If so I am interested.

Yeah, I think I have some with the resin custom connectors. I’ll have to add up my costs. Feel free to DM me.
Also, note that the PB5xx chargers had two independent 16v power supplies. With these you only have one. So it will run the machine but not charge the battery.

 

[JC's Macs]

Minor update. I found some people saying their PB5xx machines run fine on 12v, and I've had the buck and boost converters getting very hot during longer use, and so I decided to see if I can just use the standard voltages supported by USB-C for the two higher ones (15v for 16v, and 20v for 24v). Without the need for the boost converters, I realized I don't really need the space in the middle, so I cut out the middle part. It actually makes for a nice little package, especially the 15v ones for the PB5xx series. I got some resin printed plugs and manufactured a new cable for it (details here: https://68kmla.org/bb/index.php?thr...connector-520-520c-540-540c.45148/post-548401). Makes for an even sleeker adapter and I think 15v should be fine, and I won't have to worry about the heat frying the boost converter and what that failure mode might look like.

View attachment 18730

I need to dial in my 3d printer a bit (turns out printing matte PLA can wear down the non-replaceable extruder gear on the Ender 3), or maybe I'll order a bundle of resin ones from JLCPBC to match the connectors. Really happy with the results of those connectors and it would look nice printed professionally. I also will be re-printing my Apple IIc adapter.

I really like the smaller design you came up with for the PB 500 series, do you think I could have the STL files to print for myself?

 

[wottle]

I really like the smaller design you came up with for the PB 500 series, do you think I could have the STL files to print for myself?

Yes, I posted as a remix to @PotatoFi 's version on Printables: https://www.printables.com/model/1173988-usb-pd-trigger-card-case

 

[unlawfulsoup]

A bit off topic, but what would be involved to get something like this working with a barrel adapter. I have an IBM Thinkpad 770 I use daily for work, as well as some other Thinkpads that use 2.5mm/5.5mm 16v (16V 3.36 Amps) power supplies. Rebuilding batteries is a nightmare for a number of machines so my thought was being able to run them off something like a portable battery bank that has a 20v USB C capable output. Is this feasible, I am not particularly great with electrical work I mainly do writing on my machines. Right now I just love using wottles 520c adapter which is phenomenal and was hoping to maybe be able to take an A31p or my 770 out more.

 

[wottle]

A bit off topic, but what would be involved to get something like this working with a barrel adapter. I have an IBM Thinkpad 770 I use daily for work, as well as some other Thinkpads that use 2.5mm/5.5mm 16v (16V 3.36 Amps) power supplies. Rebuilding batteries is a nightmare for a number of machines so my thought was being able to run them off something like a portable battery bank that has a 20v USB C capable output. Is this feasible, I am not particularly great with electrical work I mainly do writing on my machines. Right now I just love using wottles 520c adapter which is phenomenal and was hoping to maybe be able to take an A31p or my 770 out more.

My initial “universal” power supplies were barrel adapter versions that I could change the tips out on. Along with an adjustable DC power supply.

But these were so much smaller I ended up making dedicated versions with these for each of the laptops I have. I could make a 15v barrel jack adapter if you think the 15v would be enough for the thinkpad.

My 24v adapter for my iBook G3s are actually barrel jacks because I could only find a barrel jack adapter for the G3’s power jack. I also have 12v and 24v generic barrel jacks versions I keep in the drawer in case I need to power a 12/24v device. Incredibly handy.

 

[unlawfulsoup]

My initial “universal” power supplies were barrel adapter versions that I could change the tips out on. Along with an adjustable DC power supply.

But these were so much smaller I ended up making dedicated versions with these for each of the laptops I have. I could make a 15v barrel jack adapter if you think the 15v would be enough for the thinkpad.
View attachment 22391
My 24v adapter for my iBook G3s are actually barrel jacks because I could only find a barrel jack adapter for the G3’s power jack. I also have 12v and 24v generic barrel jacks versions I keep in the drawer in case I need to power a 12/24v device. Incredibly handy.

That would be quite perfect! I am going to see if 15v would be adequate with some bench power. My gut says that it should be fine, especially if not charging a battery which is sort of irrelevant given my use case.

 

[wottle]

Sounds good. Let me know. I don't have any generic 15v resin cases, and JLC3DP prices have gone up a bit. I can 3d print one myself, or get you a quote for a resin one to match your other. I also just realized I have no more 15/20v usb-c trigger boards, so I'd need to order some more of those if you decide to have me make one. I do have a 2.5x5.5mm barrel jack that I can use for it.

 

[unlawfulsoup]

I tested a Thinkpad 770 at 15v and there was no issues, so there is clearly some headroom like with a Powerbook. I am game for a 15v or 20v adapter as I have Thinkpads that use either (or both). So if you can get the parts, I am totally interested. This isn't a rush for me or anything, I just appreciate having access to USB-C adapters period and being able to take out a 760 or A31 I have is very exciting.

 

[wottle]

I tested a Thinkpad 770 at 15v and there was no issues, so there is clearly some headroom like with a Powerbook. I am game for a 15v or 20v adapter as I have Thinkpads that use either (or both). So if you can get the parts, I am totally interested. This isn't a rush for me or anything, I just appreciate having access to USB-C adapters period and being able to take out a 760 or A31 I have is very exciting.

Are you ok with a 3d printed case or want me to get a quote for getting resin versions printed to match the PB5xx version you got? And are you thinking one 20v version and one 15v version, both with the 2.5x5.5 barrel jacks?

 

[unlawfulsoup]

3d printed is fine with me personally, especially if that is easier. Yes, one 20v and one 15v would cover basically the whole 90s to early 2000s quite nicely. For the 15v 2.5x5.5 is the exact tip size so that should be perfect. For the 20v I would be using another adapter to convert barrel to what can be best described as trapezoidal tip, my adapter for the trapezoid is 2.1x5.5. Reality is that if they are both 2.5x5.5 I can make things work because it is pretty simple to step 2.5 down to 2.1 with an adapter anyway.

Reference if you are just curious because we keep throwing barrel measurements forth, heh.
15v - https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Power_Connector#5.5_mm_outer.2C_2.5_mm_inner_diameter
20v (have a 2.1x5.5 adapter plug for this) - https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Power_Connector#4-Pin_hexagon

 

[wottle]

3d printed is fine with me personally, especially if that is easier. Yes, one 20v and one 15v would cover basically the whole 90s to early 2000s quite nicely. For the 15v 2.5x5.5 is the exact tip size so that should be perfect. For the 20v I would be using another adapter to convert barrel to what can be best described as trapezoidal tip, my adapter for the trapezoid is 2.1x5.5. Reality is that if they are both 2.5x5.5 I can make things work because it is pretty simple to step 2.5 down to 2.1 with an adapter anyway.

Reference if you are just curious because we keep throwing barrel measurements forth, heh.
15v - https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Power_Connector#5.5_mm_outer.2C_2.5_mm_inner_diameter
20v (have a 2.1x5.5 adapter plug for this) - https://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Power_Connector#4-Pin_hexagon

I also have a 2.1x5.5 that I could use for the 20v if that works better.
But if there are other adapters and having a 2.5x5.5 on each gives you more flexibility, I can do that.

 

[unlawfulsoup]

I also have a 2.1x5.5 that I could use for the 20v if that works better.
But if there are other adapters and having a 2.5x5.5 on each gives you more flexibility, I can do that.

Sure 2.1 for the 20v then, it just makes it a little simpler for me because for some reason the adapter for the 20v style plug utilizes a 2.1x5.5 for some reason. The 15v is perfectly fine with the 2.5x5.5.