Longer power cord source.

[Icebike]

ELK-P1216 12 Volts DC 1500 mA DC Plug-in Power Supply

If you google "ELK-P1216" you will find other sources which may have better prices.

Just remember, the longer the cord the more likely you (or the dog) will trip on it and yank your tablet onto the floor.

 

[pentool]

The problem with that is it's only 120V. If you go overseas, you can't use it with a simple adapter. (Some might not care of course.)

 

[chili_red]

I always order these types of items from Electronic Components Distributor | DigiKey Corp. | US Home Page, this one should work,

Digi-Key Part Search

Haven't tried it, and have to remember to order the correct plug, but will work overseas with the correct plug.

 

[Raven312]

ELK-P1216 12 Volts DC 1500 mA DC Plug-in Power Supply

If you google "ELK-P1216" you will find other sources which may have better prices.

Just remember, the longer the cord the more likely you (or the dog) will trip on it and yank your tablet onto the floor.

OK, so here's a dumb question: you have this adapter and it plugs into the Iconia just fine?

 

[chili_red]

Checking Phihongs website and the specs for the PSA18R power supply that came with my Iconia they show a 6' cord with a straight plug, so it's possible that Acer is having them custom make these with a short cord and a 90 degree plug for their own reasons.

http://www.phihong.com/assets/pdf/PSA18R.pdf

 

[pentool]

Of course it's custom made. Why would it be generic conforming to some ridiculous standard? Acer will come out with a 6 foot cord that customers will be able to buy for a discounted low price of $39.95 plus $10.00 S&H and applicable sales tax.

Better yet, the new version of Iconia will have a 2 inch power cord, so you have to crouch next to the outlet and hold the tablet while it's charging.

 

[Jress]

Curious question... I have this car charger and the spare tips somewhere: http://www.amazon.com/Coby-Regulate...W5QT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305487536&sr=8-1

The voltage is 12v, not the amperage is only 800mA and the A500 requires 1.5A. Can I use this car charger for the A500? I realize it would be slower charging, hut my main concern would be causing any damage to the tablet.
I haven't found the spare tips yet, so I am not sure if there is one that will even fit the A500. But if I do, will this work?

Sent from my A500 using Android Tablet Forum

 

[Icebike]

OK, so here's a dumb question: you have this adapter and it plugs into the Iconia just fine?

If your standard of determining if a charger "works fine" is to plug it in, I suggest you are headed for tears some day.
You need to learn to READ charger specifications, and polarity specifications and charging connector designations.

 

[pentool]

I've emailed Acer to provide a third party replacement charger with longer wire (...yeah, right, that'll be the day!) But still, if you are sitting at an airport waiting for your connecting flight, you can't even plugin the damn thing to charge because it's not reaching that far. Unless of course you want to put it on the ground for someone to leave a footprint on the glass.

 

[Raven312]

If your standard of determining if a charger "works fine" is to plug it in, I suggest you are headed for tears some day.
You need to learn to READ charger specifications, and polarity specifications and charging connector designations.

My standard in this case (and my question, maybe not succinct enough) is if the "adapter" plug is the same size as the one we have currently and will plug into the Iconia. Trust me, I know about power specifications, wattage, amperage, polarity, etc. In other words, I was making sure that your recommendation was something that you have on hand and have tried personally. Didn't know whether or not you were going purely on the specs.

 

[robdroid]

Anyone actually confirm the plug physical dimensions?
Using a steel ruler it looks like it may be 0.70mm ID x 2.35mm OD, but it's really hard to tell without a micrometer.
If it is 0.70 ID x 2.35mm OD then these extension cables would work: 0.7mm x 2.35mm Power Adapter Extension Cord

 

[Icebike]

Anyone actually confirm the plug physical dimensions?
Using a steel ruler it looks like it may be 0.70mm ID x 2.35mm OD, but it's really hard to tell without a micrometer.
If it is 0.70 ID x 2.35mm OD then these extension cables would work: 0.7mm x 2.35mm Power Adapter Extension Cord

The part number on the charger traces to this document http://www.phihong.com/assets/pdf/PSA18R.pdf
In there you will find the specs. This was already posted above.

 

[robdroid]

The part number on the charger traces to this document http://www.phihong.com/assets/pdf/PSA18R.pdf
In there you will find the specs. This was already posted above.

Yeah, I looked closely at the PDF- the electrical characteristics may be the same as on the AC adapter used with the A500, but it's not the same plug as used on the A500- a simple measurement with a ruler will confirm that.
The PDF you linked shows the coax plug as "DC Output Connector 2.1 x 5.5mm Center positive Standard". The 5.5mm refers to the OD (outside diameter) of the connector plug. 5.5mm=0.21653543" there's no way the OD of the A500 DC connector is almost a 1/4" diameter. When I measured it last night- it OD looked to be about 2.3mm or so- not 5.5mm as shown in the PDF.

 

[Icebike]

2.1 mm is the diameter. 5.5 is the length.

 

[robdroid]

2.1 mm is the diameter. 5.5 is the length.

Look again at the drawing at the bottom of the PDF- the length is 10.00mm

To size a coax DC plug you need 3 dimensions- ID (inside diameter) OD (outside diameter) and length.

Referring again to the PDF:
2.1mm is the ID
5.5mm is the OD
10.00mm is the length

Same electrical characteristics, different mechanical characteristics for the DC coax connector.