Travel Technology - Help - Missing Auto/Air adapter part

Hello:

After 4 service calls to Kensington, I have not received the "cigarette lighter" adapter replacement part that I was promised. I think I left it on a flight when I disconnected my laptop :rolleyes: - the only thing that I'm missing is the adapter that connects on to the end and plugs into the Powerport. Would anyone on this forum know where I can get one?

I have a Kensington Model 33051 - if anyone is interested in selling me the part, please PM me.

Thanks for your help.

I don't have an answer for your Kensington problem, but I had the same thing happen - twice - with my IGo portable DVD adapter. The powerport adaptor attachment apparently disconnected and stayed behind in the airplane powerport when I unplugged it, and I didn't notice until the next time I tried to use it. Both times, IGo sent me a replacement - but the design doesn't seem too good if this happens so easily. Now I know to check the adaptor each time I unplug it.

Can't help with finding a replacement but I can sympathize. I had the same thing happen - went to use it on a flight one day, only to find the end piece was missing. For all I know, it's still flying around, stuck in a power port on an AA plane somewhere.

Go post on the UA board. Their flyers dont need them :p

Try ebay. I had purchased a new laptop and didn't want to spend a riduculous amount of money just to get the tip replacement. Targus wouldn't sell me the replacement tip so I searched ebay and found it.

My advice is to get an inverter, which provides a normal 110 volt 3 prong plug from an auto cigarette lighter, which is what AA uses. Then you just plug your normal power supply into the inverter. See link below. This won't help you if you are travelling on a carrier that uses the skinnier version of the adapter, like US, but for the auto cigarette lighter variety it is fine.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F009%5F001%5F008%5F000&product%5Fid=22%2D144

My advice is to get an inverter, which provides a normal 110 volt 3 prong plug from an auto cigarette lighter, which is what AA uses. Then you just plug your normal power supply into the inverter. See link below. This won't help you if you are travelling on a carrier that uses the skinnier version of the adapter, like US, but for the auto cigarette lighter variety it is fine.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F009%5F001%5F008%5F000&product%5Fid=22%2D144

I bought this Targus inverter: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009RTO8/qid%3D1110737218/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/104-2320634-6437567 (but must be honest, haven't tried it out yet). It has both the cigarette lighter and skinnier adapter that other airlines use. Plus, the 60 watt Radio Shack inverter above isn't enough juice for my ThinkPad.

The frustrating thing is that the reverse part is readily available:

http://www.lindelectronics.com/cgi-bin/store/shop.cgi/!ORDERID!/cables/CBLPW-00352/dbx_gen_detail_product/
As well as other places-- but I never see what the OP is looking for for sale, for some reason.

I have also lost the cigarette-lighter end of the power adapter before. Was unable to find a replacement anywhere, and ended up having to buy a whole new adapter.

Now I use electric tape to hold the end part onto the rest of the adapter. The taped-on part only needs to be removed if flying some other carrier (DL, CO, etc) internationally, which just ain't gonna happen anytime soon. Really, when would you ever need to plug into an Empower (brand name) port? And even if you do ever need to plug into Empower, you can just undo the electric tape and re-tape it later.

Some inverters draw a whole lot more wattage than an airline power port can supply. Wal-Mart sells an inverter which supplies up to 300 watts. It doesn't work on an aircraft: it constantly beeps a warning signal that the input power is too low. I think the aircraft power ports are designed to deliver about 75 watts.

Really, when would you ever need to plug into an Empower (brand name) port?

When flying on Cathay Pacific, among others.

When flying on Cathay Pacific, among others.

Right you are. The main point is that it's next to impossible to get another one of those cigarette-lighter-plug-thingies. It makes sense to tape it together so it can't accidently be left behind. When flying on a carrier with Empower ports, just un-tape the thingie and re-tape it prior to the next trip.

The frustrating thing is that the reverse part is readily available:

http://www.lindelectronics.com/cgi-bin/store/shop.cgi/!ORDERID!/cables/CBLPW-00352/dbx_gen_detail_product/
As well as other places-- but I never see what the OP is looking for for sale, for some reason.

You might want to try emailing lind and see what they say:
lrlind@lindelectronics.com

Right you are. The main point is that it's next to impossible to get another one of those cigarette-lighter-plug-thingies. It makes sense to tape it together so it can't accidently be left behind. When flying on a carrier with Empower ports, just un-tape the thingie and re-tape it prior to the next trip.

Oh, don't get me wrong-- I agree 100%. Since the adaptor is so readily available "one way" and not the other, I would always have a very strong preference for an adaptor that terminates in cigarette instead of empower. But plenty of airlines use empower-- maybe even most.

BTW, the latest trend is to provide actual AC outlets instead (for use with home adaptors)-- JL now does this as does LX in it's newest seats.

Some inverters draw a whole lot more wattage than an airline power port can supply. Wal-Mart sells an inverter which supplies up to 300 watts. It doesn't work on an aircraft: it constantly beeps a warning signal that the input power is too low. I think the aircraft power ports are designed to deliver about 75 watts.
This is quite true. I bought a $15 inverter that worked fine in my automobile when I tested it out. But it wouldn't work at all in any AA powerports. I returned it and bought a $70 adapter that works fine.

I bought this Targus inverter: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009RTO8/qid%3D1110737218/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/104-2320634-6437567 (but must be honest, haven't tried it out yet).

Will that work? It's rated for 90 watts and AA only delivers 75 watts. I have an APC inverter rated at 75 watts that works fine (my laptop draws 65 watts).

Mine is also lost. I have the same Kensington model. Discovered it last week on a ORD-NRT flight. Ironically, the previous flight I was on, the seat next to me had the adaptor still connected to the power port and I gave it to the flight attendant!

Luckily, for my return flight, I found a Delta FF that didn't need his adaptor. It only cost me a couple of beers.

Will that work? It's rated for 90 watts and AA only delivers 75 watts. I have an APC inverter rated at 75 watts that works fine (my laptop draws 65 watts).

I have the Targus and have used it on an AA MD80. I had my laptop plugged into it which suppose to draw 65 watts. Initially when I plugged the cord it, it beeped, but worked ok for the rest of the flight.

I usually use it on the CO 767 and 777 and it works fine there too using the Empower connector.

Will that work? It's rated for 90 watts and AA only delivers 75 watts. I have an APC inverter rated at 75 watts that works fine (my laptop draws 65 watts).
I used it last night on an AA 763, and it worked fine with my IBM T42. As Tummy reported, it does some beeping action at first, but then works fine. I think 90 watts is the max draw....the inverter that AA offers through duty free seems to be similar...90 watts, 75 continuous.