Reinforcing Joints on SP3 Power Supply

[Noob Cydroid]

The joints on my SP3 power supply are beginning to come apart. My SP3 still seems to charge alright and the power doesn't seem to be intermittent in anyway. I'm guessing none of the strands have become detached from the termination yet. Key word is "yet." I was hoping to do something to reinforce/repair the joints so that it won't get to the point of strands getting detached and I'm dishing out 70ish dollars for a replacement. Has anyone been able to do this successfully. And with something other than electrical tape (let's face it, that stuff will wear and leave an ugly sticky residue over time).

Two options that crossed my mind so far are heat shrink tubing. Will the extra width added to the charging part cause insufficient contact in the port? Or Sugru. Any experiences?

Thanks!

 

[Danariel]

This is purely opinion, as my Surface Pro 3 hasn't even shipped yet (I ordered it last night.) Sugru sounds like the best idea. I've watched a lot of their videos, and it seems ideally suited to this purpose. You can make it as thin as you need to on the device-facing side, so that it gets a good connection, while making it thicker all around the rest of the piece to reinforce the weak part and prevent separation in the future.

And if you have leftover Sugru, you could make a Pen Holder and or corner bumpers for the Surface Pro 3.

 

[eusty]

+1 on Sugru or any type of epoxy putty as heat shrink won't give enough support.

 

[Guzzler3]

Also, heat shrink will interfere with the connection, if you put it on the connector and the wire. I've found that if there is anything that gets between the connector and the edge of the Surface, it will not make a proper connection to charge.

Even fine bits of metal flake that adhere to the magnets on the edge of the Surface or on the connector will interfere. I find it amazing how much little bits of metal there are in everyday life that find the magnets. I'm always having to wipe them off the edge of my Surface and the connector.

 

[PepperdotNet]

Out of warranty?

If you have a Complete contract, contact support and describe it to them. They'll ship you a new one.

 

[Noob Cydroid]

Will they really? I'm going to have to check on that.

Sounds like the heat shrink tubing is out either way.

 

[Noob Cydroid]

I was able to contact Microsoft Support and they will be sending me a new power adapter. Thanks for the heads up on that!

 

[Danariel]

Well, that's definitely a better solution than heat shrink tubing OR Sugru. Glad they were able to help you out!