Charging Apple Macpro puter while off the grid.

Thanks Stephen, and the inverter is in your Camper van/Caravan rather than a small one in your Prado? What size do you use, we will only require it for Laptops and phones.

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I absolutely endorse what Stephen said about buying a quality charger. I would be careful about most from China. A few years ago I cooked my mobile phone with a cheap 12v charger.
Something like this may be OK. Try Googling "Car Charger For Apple Macbook Pro" for others.

However, like Stephen, I now use a quality pure sine wave inverter and simply use the original 240v chargers that came with the appliances. They charge as we drive so no issues with providing the 12v supply.
I do make an exception for the Galaxy tablet for navigation which has its own special 12v charger.

I got caught 12 months ago....we went to NZ for a 17 day motor home holiday. 14 y/old son took his Macbook and then announced to me (who knows nothing about what he's doing) that he needs a charger.

I ended up having to buy a "DECENT" 350 watt pure sine wave inverter. Fortunately the aux battery in the camper van was easy to get to (under the rear seat) so I was able to attach it.

I still have it sitting on my bedside table.....never used it again. I haven't advertised it anywhere, but you can have it for $200- if you want it.

I am currently selling a 2000 watt pure sine wave inverter that was mounted in my Chev when I bought that 14 months ago. $1,000- for that one.

Both are in "as new" condition.

Roachie

Hi Witi

Like Allan above, we use all the original 240v chargers that came with the items that we need to charge. As for the location of the inverter, it is hard wired into my auxiliary dual battery and located in the back of the Prado.

It is in the car for one important reason......I can monitor everything that I want charged. These are the items that get charged when then need a charge.....

Windows small notebook that is on all the time for real time moving map track file recording, Mac Book Pro, like you for all personal use and for photos, charging up my satellite phone when it needs recharging, recharging my camera batteries, and if my hand held UHF needs a top up, it goes on the charge as well.

My inverter is a good quality unit, and has now served me well for over 12 years and at the time, cost me a lot of money. Like all electrical items, the same pure sine wave inverter now sells for hundreds of dollars cheaper.

Like I said above, buy a good quality pure sine wave inverter and you will have not issues at all. Also from what you said about your wife, you Mac will get you over 7 hours of continual use, so based on those facts, there would ne no need to have it located in your van.

All the Best.



Cheers



Stephen

Apple stuff is designed in California and made in China. Can't see what the problem is. As long as you get an Apple approved charger, it probably comes from the same factory.

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Witi,
The 2000W inverter probably would run your wife's hairdryer, but the question is.....will your battery run the inverter as it could draw 200 Amps from the 12 volt.!!!

I have yet to figure out where people would use 2000W. Even running the engine with a 100A alternator leaves a shortfall of 100A so a typical battery would last maybe 10 minutes!

If she opens the window whilst driving along, she won't need that 2000w hairdryer....

Cheers

Looks alright Garry.

I like the fact it has an "intelligent fan", ha ha.

Bob

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There are a few Rock Groups that have "intelligent fans" too Bob.

Yes the fan does work intelligently - is temp controlled and at normal temps kicks in when the internal temp is above 40 degrees - about 200w output on a 25 degree day. It also has buzzes to alert you when power draw is getting a bit much or input voltage is outside parameters.

It has inbuilt circuitry to protect it so if you plugged in a 2000w iron into it, it just squeaks and shuts down with no damage.

As i said - is cheap, reliable and works well for small 240v loads - remembering that its max continuous of 300w is more than enough for using single appliances.