R2D4 wrote:
Can anyone tell me what size or type of power connector is on the end of
the power supply for the Dell 1545? Mine has become intermittent and I
can actually see some of the copper shielding making its way outside the
insulation. I don't need the entire power supply replaced-- I'd just
like to cut off and replace the end connector if I can get the specs.
Thanks in advance.

So it's a laptop then ? *Inspiron* 1545 ?

The replacement adapter here, looks hexagonal for some reason.
There are "pseudo-standard" round barrel two-conductor connectors
on a lot of devices. Someone didn't want that one to
rotate.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B005FH3X1Q?psc=1

If that's the connector on your 19V 3.x amp adapter,
you won't get a replacement at RadioShack. They tend
to have the round barrel type, in 15 different sizes.

They make replacement (round) barrel connectors with screw or
soldertail termination, inside a housing that unscrews.

The real MCCoy would likely be molded. The closest you could
get to molded, is to buy a barrel extension cord, cut off
one end, and fashion splices on tne wire end. That would
require soldering and Polyolefin heatshrink tubing, to
provide insulation. I no longer use electrical
tape for that sort of thing (it comes off too easy). You can
put one heatshrink around each conductor (to cover your new
solder joint), then a second, larger heatshrink around the whole wound
area, to cover it. The stress relief isn't perfect (the
wounded part is too stiff) but you do get to use the
adapter for a few more years.

*******

When the connector inside a laptop fails, some have a user
replaceable PCB subassembly that allows easy repair.

In the "old way", the connector is soldered to the motherboard
(the flat board with all the components on it). Repair then
requires good soldering skills (to fasten the connector frame
to the PCB and provide a strong anchor). If the motherboard
is cracked, you really don't have a lot of good options
(as an attempted repair will likely just crack again). The
beauty of the replaceable assembly, is it protects the
more expensive motherboard from damage. However, you still
have to track down the spare part, which may not be as easy
as it sounds. When they do stupid stuff like that, they should
really throw a spare one of those, in the packing crate.

Paul