[SPARCbook] UltraBook Power Supply Project

[stephen price]

Hi All - 
Since I was one of the many that recently bought
UltraBook's off Ebay, I (as many others) needed a
power supply, since the auctions did not provide one
with the laptop.

I spoke several times with Tadpole sales personnel,
and was quoted two different prices, one for a new
power supply, and one for a used power supply.

When I went back and tried to buy a used power supply,
I was informed that there weren't any to be had, and
that there weren't any new ones either.

So after some searching I was able to identify and
track down the importer of the original power supply
(Mesa Power Systems) in California, and talked with
them.  Mesa sales personnel indicated that new ones
could be had, but at the premium price ($535USD each).

Since I didn't spend that much for the laptop - I set
out to find a substitute unit.  

I am now happy to report that I have been successful
in locating a suitable replacement power supply, but
it is not a "production" unit, so I am assembling mine
as a home-built kit.

I was also able to identify the power connector and
its mate plug and buy those, so de-soldering &
re-soldering of a new connector inside the laptop will
not be needed.

I've also identified and bought the small plug that
mates to the 2 serial/parallel output connector on the
side of the laptop, so I'll soon have one of those.

When I get some free time in a few weeks, I'll be
assembling all these components and documenting the
project.  When it's complete I'll post back to the
list all the details.

Regards
Steve
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