Ideas for reinforcing computer cord to prevent fraying/breakage?

[slowtwitch73]

My son's computer cord frayed and broke where it comes out of the machine. 25$ is as cheap as you can get for a replacement, and of course it's the end of the freekin world if the computer is down lol.

Is there some product or trick to diffuse the strain at that point? Dell made a half assed attempt. Needs to be something that is split or can be wound, as neither end of cable can be removed.

Some really thick shrink tubing was an idea, but by the time I split it, don't think there will be much strength left.

Electrical tape doesn't work.

 

[four.cycle]

I would tend to wonder what he's doing with the computer that causes any movement/vibration on the cable, but that's not the question.
How about some of that split-down-the-middle plastic wire loom stuff?

 

[f121]

The problem with reinforcing the cable is it will move the point of flex somewhere else - like the socket on the computer where the cord plugs in, eventually snapping it off the board.

 

[r00a005]

I assume desktop computer ? which cable was it ? The power cable ? I never had any of those fray. I also wonder about potential movement. If its the power cable, there are short 1 ft extensions that might help.

if its a desktop power cable, they are fairly generic. Does it look like this ?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003MG4HB2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[u2slow]

Im guessing a laptop. After several years, the batteries get soft and we tend to leave them plugged in all the time.

The cords with a 90 degree plug seem to last better for me.

I have two laptops I've done fray repairs on twice. After cutting all the rubber back, solder in a bit more wire. (the outer shield wire is usually the first break.) Then I'll wrap and pack with random cable sheath material, tape, heatsink etc. Usually good for another couple years.

Edit: I made myself a 14x20" board the laptop always sits on. That larger footprint holds a mouse and takes some leverage off the cord connector.

 

[slowtwitch73]

U2slow nailed it. Laptop. Just repetitive use by a kid.

They break right at the edge of the hard molded plastic barrel that goes into the computer, so there's no wire to work with as far as re soldering etc.

 

[FMB4]

Just buy a new power supply. $10-12 bucks at the most.

 

[nutjob]

Does it look like this?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254570080464?hash=item3b458f28d0:g:VzIAAOSwSj9bf38z

You should be able to get a replacement barrel connector also.

Kevin

 

[u2slow]

They break right at the edge of the hard molded plastic barrel that goes into the computer, so there's no wire to work with as far as re soldering etc.

I've whittled the last plastic off that barrel to reconnect wire. It's ugly but can be done.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Just buy a new power supply. $10-12 bucks at the most.

Like I wrote 25 is a good price on one.

 

[slowtwitch73]

I've whittled the last plastic off that barrel to reconnect wire. It's ugly but can be done.

Thats exactly what I did while we were traveling.. serrated knife on a cutting board lol.. it only got me a few mm of wire from which I was able to cowboy a repair for a few wks.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Does it look like this?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/254570080464?hash=item3b458f28d0:g:VzIAAOSwSj9bf38z

You should be able to get a replacement barrel connector also.

Kevin

Basically.. that's a good resource. It's a higher wattage unit compared to some.

 

[nh_yota]

Tell him to be more careful.

Wait until he breaks the motherboard side of it - that will be fun.

 

[23ford]

Are you talking about the power or eithernet? There are ways to fix both.

 

[FredWanaker]

by a new power supply and take it out of his allowance. That way he learns the value of being careful and not "dad will pay for anything I break." Or wait until his birthday or next Christmas and do without the laptop, in which case the battery will be hosed too if it stays down too long. If you will settle for a used one, Ebay is your friend. So is CL.

BTW I worked in a state facility that managed thousands of laptops. It is an uncommon failure, but it is always the same people who break cords, lose mice, lose power supplies, break screens. If the cord gets stretched, or pulled out by the cord instead of the plug, it will fail.

 

[89MustangGX]

Maybe when you get the new power supply, use a combination of electric tape and heat shrink on it before it breaks. Do a little build-up of electric tape right behind the strain relief and then use heat-shrink to cover the strain relief and the electric tape. Basically bridging the two together and making it stiff instead of able to bend. If it can't bend it can't break is my thinking...

 

[nadogail]

Maybe if the laptop will be mounted to a board, you can also put a plastic clip to keep the cable from flexing at the connector

 

[slowtwitch73]

Maybe when you get the new power supply, use a combination of electric tape and heat shrink on it before it breaks. Do a little build-up of electric tape right behind the strain relief and then use heat-shrink to cover the strain relief and the electric tape. Basically bridging the two together and making it stiff instead of able to bend. If it can't bend it can't break is my thinking...

I was thinking along those lines also. Needs to bend a bit so as to not break the motherboard end, but right now it bends way too sharp.

With that part Nutjob posted being available, that solves my issue for the most part. I had no idea just the plug end was available.. and its cheap.

 

[f121]

Maybe when you get the new power supply, use a combination of electric tape and heat shrink on it before it breaks. Do a little build-up of electric tape right behind the strain relief and then use heat-shrink to cover the strain relief and the electric tape. Basically bridging the two together and making it stiff instead of able to bend. If it can't bend it can't break is my thinking...

You want that bit to break, a new psu is way cheaper than a new motherboard, and way easier to change.

 

[mikedodge]

Does he have the cable bent on a strange angle or using in his lap or something all the time? I'm thinking that's the most common way of breaking the cable and like others said if you reinforce the cable it'll only put pressure into the connector and that'll be an even more expensive repair.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Yeah, now that I know that plug/tail exists, that changes things.

 

[Poolshark314]

Since you are considering purchasing only the barrel end, maybe it would be a good idea to attach the new barrel with like a quick disconnect connector so it might pull apart rather than break off, or if it breaks off again, you can replace it easier lol

 

[e36jon]

If you want something that works well for a DIY strain-relief Sugru might be the hot tip. (It's stupid expensive though.)

 

[slow]

what dell power supply do you have? a internet picture might help.

 

[rlitman]

The problem with reinforcing the cable is it will move the point of flex somewhere else - like the socket on the computer where the cord plugs in, eventually snapping it off the board.

The idea of a strain relief is not to move the POINT of flex elsewhere, but rather, to increase the bend radius so that it is no longer damaged by flexing.

If you want something that works well for a DIY strain-relief Sugru might be the hot tip. (It's stupid expensive though.)

There are cheap alternatives that use silicone caulk.

 

[nh_yota]

BTW I worked in a state facility that managed thousands of laptops. It is an uncommon failure, but it is always the same people who break cords, lose mice, lose power supplies, break screens. If the cord gets stretched, or pulled out by the cord instead of the plug, it will fail.

Ain't that the truth.

 

[65ranchero]

They have things like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H3S6DVV/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[niget2002]

Be sure he's pulling the plug by the barrel when unplugging it from the laptop. I caught my son unplugging his by pulling on the cable.

 

[FMB4]

Like I wrote 25 is a good price on one.

Then that's you're answer. Have your kid buy one at that price and be done with it.

 

[twouvakind]

With laptop power supplies, failure is inevitable due to the tiny wire gauge.

 

[Jswain]

I think you've already found your answer, measure & buy the appropriate barrel connector.

As others have mentioned you don't want the weak point to become the solder joints on the motherboard. It takes a little finesse and practise to get the Barrell connectors soldered properly and still ba able to screw on the strain relief but for usually just a couple dollars for a 10 pack it's worth it.

My work laptop I've gone through quite a few of them and now replace them when I notice they(barrel connectors) are getting hot while charging.

 

[FredWanaker]

if the power supply gets hot it is usually the battery beginning to fail.

 

[beedle]

Sugru

The benefits of original formula + family friendly formula = the best Sugru ever!

sugru.com

 

[duneslider]

I have used the sugru to reinforce cables and it seems to do a good job for me.