topic Re: question for iPad users in Electronics

question for iPad users

SeaMaiden — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 14:52:38 GMT

I find that my charge cord breaks after just a few months of use. The small end that fits into the charger portal on the iPad just breaks in half-? I am careful as I can be of disconnecting it when I pull it out and put it back in. Is this pretty standard with iPads? I hate having to replace the charge cord every three or so months at $20 a pop,

where do you buy your replacement charge cords? I bought my last on at Fred Meyers. Is there a cheaper alternative that costs less and is not going to fall apart so soon?

Re: question for iPad users

I am still oxox — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 14:57:54 GMT

It happens to all Mac products, I have found it you slit a straw and put it around the end it will help the breakage.

Re: question for iPad users

SeaMaiden — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 15:02:42 GMT

@I am still oxox wrote:
It happens to all Mac products, I have found it you slit a straw and put it around the end it will help the breakage.

thanks. I have been using strips of electrical tape to strengthen the connection site.

Re: question for iPad users

Sadiesadie — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 15:06:26 GMT

I'm sorry this has happened to you. I've had mine for 3 years with no issue.

Re: question for iPad users

SeaMaiden — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 15:11:26 GMT

My first one lasted about three years... then it started to short out at the connection site- I taped it for a while but even then it was not charging as it should most of the time.... so I replaced it three months ago and the new one broke( the metal part that goes into the iPad.) today.

@Sadiesadie wrote:
I'm sorry this has happened to you. I've had mine for 3 years with no issue.

Re: question for iPad users

Mustang Shar — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 15:15:07 GMT

Wow, I never had this happen...I have 4 iPads and iPhone for years. Good to know it can happen.

Re: question for iPad users

inmemoryofmylittlesis — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 15:24:02 GMT

DH and I've had iPads and iPhones for about 4 years and we never had a cable break. Be sure to buy the apple authorized cables (you can buy them different places and not only just from Apple) since the others are substandard.

Re: question for iPad users

gmkb — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 15:35:41 GMT

I have to replace the cord on my IPad frequently also. I go to Radio Shack - about $16/17.

Re: question for iPad users

Nightowlz — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 16:05:08 GMT

I have been using the same one I received when I bought my iPad almost 4 yrs ago with no problems.

Re: question for iPad users

Another new name Sue — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 17:05:14 GMT

Stating the obvious here: be sure to remove the cord from the device by holding the plastic end firmly, not the cord. I've never had that happen, but I always use Apple cords.

Re: question for iPad users

January121 — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 17:36:11 GMT

I guess I have been lucky .... I bought my iPad at the Apple Store in March 2014 .... I have been using the charge cord since then & have had no problem.

Re: question for iPad users

ChynnaBlue — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 17:56:14 GMT

I've had at least a dozen Apple charging cables and that's only happened to one of mine and it happened after more than a year. For most cables, the weak point is at the join where the plastic meets the cable. I use Sugru, a moldable 'clay' that hardens into rubber when exposed to air, and wrap some of that around the join of I notice it's getting weak. (But BEFORE wires start to show, because I'm paranoid like that. If wires start to show, like in the picture below, I throw the cord out.)

Here are some pictures of a similar wrap from the Sugru website:

If you don't have to worry about an iPad case that narrows the charging port, you can bring the Sugru up over the plastic. I did that for a knockoff cable I bought there the USB side was cracked.

I've got one cable that I wrapped in Sugru immediately because it goes on my mattress (the phone is on the mattress because of a sleep monitoring app) and I did not want to risk any broken cables or exposed wiring. The Sugru has been on the cable for 2 years now and is holding strong.

I got my Sugru from The Container Store, but you can find it in many places. Here's a link to their website: https://sugru.com/about

Re: question for iPad users

Reba055 — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 18:36:33 GMT

I've had an iPad and iPhone forever and have never broken a cord. Neither have my husband or kids. And we're talking YEARS. Not to sound snarky, really, but perhaps you aren't as careful as you think.

Are you unplugging from the end or pulling on the cord?

Re: question for iPad users

shoesnbags — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 20:46:59 GMT

@Reba055 wrote:
I've had an iPad and iPhone forever and have never broken a cord. Neither have my husband or kids. And we're talking YEARS. Not to sound snarky, really, but perhaps you aren't as careful as you think.

Are you unplugging from the end or pulling on the cord?

This is what I was wondering. No problem like this through years of iPad, iPhones, and iPod, but I do always grab the end, not the cord.

Re: question for iPad users

glb613 — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 22:09:59 GMT

@Reba055 wrote:
I've had an iPad and iPhone forever and have never broken a cord. Neither have my husband or kids. And we're talking YEARS. Not to sound snarky, really, but perhaps you aren't as careful as you think.

Are you unplugging from the end or pulling on the cord?

I vote for pulling the cord. I have the original cords for my iPad and iPhone, 4/2 years, and no problems.

Re: question for iPad users

Nuttmeg — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 21:03:30 GMT

It is a shame a real cable has to cost so much.

Re: question for iPad users

meem120 — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 21:31:59 GMT

I get mine on Amazon

Re: question for iPad users

SeaMaiden — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 14:20:08 GMT

Thanks for all the replies. I am careful and do not pull from the cord. Only from the connection. This 2nd one broke at the connection Where it goes into the iPad- the metal part came apart! It had nothing to do with the cord. Just dumb luck. I will see how the third one does after I buy it. Third times a charm they say!

I did go ahead and order some off of a Amazon... much better price that the retail stores. The reviews(many reviews!) from this seller were all 5 star as far as quality. Worth trying before I go back and buy the same cord from the store that only lasted two months.

Re: question for iPad users

Kachina624 — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 22:48:21 GMT

I buy Apple certified cords on Amazon for a heck of a lot less than $20/each. I usually pick up about 3 at a time. Just be sure to get the right cord for your tablet. I also get them longer than the short original was.

I sit in a recliner to use my pad and often press it against my body. That ruins the cord fast. I wish they'd put the port on the side of the device.

Re: question for iPad users

glb613 — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 09:54:19 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I buy Apple certified cords on Amazon for a heck of a lot less than $20/each. I usually pick up about 3 at a time. Just be sure to get the right cord for your tablet. I also get them longer than the short original was.

I sit in a recliner to use my pad and often press it against my body. That ruins the cord fast. I wish they'd put the port on the side of the device.

Run it on battery which is how it's meant to be run.