Inquiry About Thunderbolt USB-C Charger Compatibility for My Predator Laptop

FlorinNistor
FlorinNistor Member Posts: 1 Newbie

I hope this message finds you well. I am the owner of an Acer Predator laptop (model: Predator Helios 18) and currently use the original charger (EU type) that came with the device. While it works perfectly, it is somewhat heavy to carry, especially when traveling or commuting to work.

I am exploring the possibility of using a lightweight USB-C Thunderbolt charger for my laptop. I have a few questions regarding this:

  1. Does Acer offer an official Thunderbolt USB-C charger compatible with my laptop?
  2. If not, can you recommend a third-party Thunderbolt USB-C charger that is fully compatible and safe for my device?
  3. Are there specific power output requirements or certifications I should look for in a USB-C charger for my laptop?

I would greatly appreciate your guidance in identifying a suitable option. Please let me know if additional information about my laptop is needed to assist with this inquiry.

Thank you for your time and support. I look forward to your response.

Answers

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 13,724 Trailblazer

    Saying that you have the Predator 18 means nothing, look at your laptops exact model number on the sticker underneath the laptop, is it a PHN18-72 is it a PH18-71 or PH18-72 what is it? As its important when advising you on USB-C charging.

    Due to these laptops having a high capacity wattage adapter charger from a min 230W and up to 330W its essential that you replace the USB-C charger with the same or a higher capacity wattage adapter charger and the only adapter on the market today that I recommend is the SlimQ 330W USB-C charger shown below as it will work with whatever Predator 18 you have. Good luck.

    330W DC+USB C Charger - Smallest | DC Port + Dual Ports USB C | GaN Technology

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

  • Puraw
    Puraw ACE, Member Posts: 16,008 Trailblazer

    You need a gaming USB-C charger for a large battery, Acer does offer USB-C chargers, but they don't have a specific line of high-wattage USB-C chargers for gaming laptops like the Asus ROG 100-W chargers (available at Amazon). Acer's USB-C chargers are generally designed for their ultrabooks and other non-gaming laptops, with power outputs typically around 45W to 65W. I tried a 100-W ROG USB-C charger with my PHN16-71 and it works but I would not play any games with it and just use it as backup: https://rog.asus.com/power-protection-gadgets/chargers-and-adapters/rog-100w-usb-c-adapter-model/

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 13,724 Trailblazer

    That ROG 100W USB-C charger will NOT charge a Predator 18 that has a 230W - 280W or a 330W adapter, stop listing the Asus ROG 100W USB-C Adapter as it doesn't work with a gaming laptop like the Acer high end gaming laptops.

    I've got a 100W USB-C adapter and it does not work with my PHN16-71 that has a 230W adapter, so buy that exact charger for your PHN16-71 with its 230W adapter Puraw and see if it will charge and also work while you use the laptop as it won't.

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

  • Puraw
    Puraw ACE, Member Posts: 16,008 Trailblazer

    You are wrong as I am using the 100-W ROG charger on my PHN16-71 laptop right now and it works like a charm, just takes long to get it fully charged (1hour). I will continue advising people to use this 100-W USB-C ROG charger rather than exceeding the TBT4 PD limit of 100-W😉

  • Rammstein
    Rammstein Member Posts: 16 Troubleshooter
    edited February 19

    hello, firstly if you look into the online manual it will tell you what the recommended usb c wattage is, for phn16-72 it its a 65 watt usb c adaptor, i originally purchased a 65 watt pd3 charger which did not work, you need to get an adaptor that does not follow this protocol. i bought this

    100W USB-C Power Adapter Fast Charger Replacement for Mac Book Pro, iPad, Lenovo, HP, Dell, Asus Laptops and All USB - C Port Devices, Charge Type-C 100W 96W 90W 87W 65W 45W 30W Device C77: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

    when i plug this is it advises me that the device will slow charge. it does charge not significantly slower than the 330w original plug that has the barrell plug.

    there is a caveat to this whilst i can plug this in and have the battery charge and stay on 100% permanently the predator sense firmware/software will only allow me to put the computer on quiet and balanced modes. this is because the adaptor does not supply enough power to use the 4070 gpu but rather it will use the inbuilt graphics. however i can run some games using this and you can also apply ultimate power settings to get the most performance out of it as if it were on a battery.

    so in summary treat the usb c cable as like running on battery with an infinite battery life.

    also note it will select the optimum wattage so if the max is 65 watts then it will charge at that.

  • Rammstein
    Rammstein Member Posts: 16 Troubleshooter
    edited February 19

    """That ROG 100W USB-C charger will NOT charge a Predator 18 that has a 230W - 280W or a 330W adapter, stop listing the Asus ROG 100W USB-C Adapter as it doesn't work with a gaming laptop like the Acer high end gaming laptops.""

    """I've got a 100W USB-C adapter and it does not work with my PHN16-71 that has a 230W adapter, so buy that exact charger for your PHN16-71 with its 230W adapter Puraw and see if it will charge and also work while you use the laptop as it won't."""

    i presume you have a pd3 charger which will not work, pd3 is built for phones and tablet devices not laptops or at least not acer predator brands.

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 13,724 Trailblazer

    I know what you Rammstein and Puraw are saying and you are detailing above, as you can use the 100W USB-C charger like that, but that is not what most users want, they want an adapter that works like their oem Acer provided barrel plug adapter for their gaming latops.

    Hey Puraw, you can use that ROG 100W USB-C charger all you want and wait whatever time it takes to charge the battery (is it like 4-5 hours for the PHN16-71 - 90,614 mWh battery?) as I will use my SlimQ 330W when I'm mobile for my PHN16-71 - 90,614 mWh battery and it will take only like 1.5hrs, as this charger is as good as the oem Acer for the PHN16-71 laptop.

    Anyway, I've also used before buying the SlimQ 330W USB-C charger my Swift SFX14-51G adapter which is the Acer Adapter "DELTA ADP-100XB BA 100W Type C Brick 5V/3A_9V/3A_12V/3A_15V/3A_20V/5A Black - part #: KP.10 001.001" and its really slow to charge, as I don't want a trickle charge or to be told that "that the device will slow charge" I want a full on charge that I can use the adapter also when the laptop is plugged in when I'm mobile and using the laptop for gaming or editing and in full on use. The only adapter that provides this fully in a smaller USB-C format for a gaming laptop, is the SlimQ 330W DC+USB C Charger, its all up to individual users choice, as I'm passing on what my best experience is. Good luck to all.

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 13,724 Trailblazer
    edited February 20

    If you want a proper and the same USB-C type charger for your Predator gaming laptop then use the SlimQ 330W USB-C charger, if you want to wait 3-4 hours for your laptop to charge and not be able to use it, use the 100W USB-C charger. Good luck as its your choice.

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 13,724 Trailblazer

    No Rammstein, I don't have a PD3 charger for phones and tablet devices, I use to use a my Acer Swift SFX14-51G USB-C oem charger that is a "DELTA ADP-100XB BA 100W Type C Brick 5V/3A_9V/3A_12V/3A_15V/3A_20V/5A Black - Acer part #: KP.10 001.001" and that is so slow but I bought the above SlimQ 330W and that works perfectly and just as good as the oem barrel plug adapter. I only give advice on my posts on things that I've used personally and nit just from their specs.

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 13,724 Trailblazer

    No Rammstein, I didn't charge my PHN16-71 with a PD3 that is built for phones and tablet devices, I use my Acer Swift SFX14-51G laptops USB-C charger like pictured below which is the "DELTA ADP-100XB BA 100W Type C Brick 5V/3A_9V/3A_12V/3A_15V/3A_20V/5A Black - Acer part #: KP.10 001.001" that I need to wait 4-5 hours to change the battery and I can't use the laptop.

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍