Inverter

If you do a search in the archives there will be plenty of inverter info.

I have had no trouble with my HP running on my Jaycar 200w inverter.

Others say you will shorten the life of your laptops power supply if you don't use the fancier sine wave inverters.

Have a look in the archives and talk to computer hardware and inverter places and in the archives and then make your mind up.

Some people also use a dc laptop power supply and bypass the problem altogether. OK if you only want to use it for your laptop.

Utemad is correct......

I asked the same thing a little while ago.

Lot's of people suggested a Kerio Unit.

I run an Apple iBook, so when I bought it, I also bought their 12 volt adaptor.

Something to be said for pure sine wave inverters. I have 2 Modified Square Wave units ........ that's all I'll say....... I'm going to buy a Sine Wave Unit.

Cheers

Wolfie

Make sure you get a larger inverter than what you need. There is no point in getting a inverter that just does what you need , it will fry in no time . If max output required is 150 watt , then get a 300 . It will last longer . I have a 1700 watt 3000 surge inverter modified sighn wave and never had a issue

Hi
Have a IBM which use about the same voltage and amps, I use a 300watt modified sinewave from Radio Parts, have used it for two years no problem, the laptop is happy
Ray

Hi arewetereyet, I posted this in two seperat postings over the last week or so and it may be of so help.

Aldi, the supermarket chain will have a 300w inverter for $59 as of next Thursday and you can get more info at www.aldi.com.au

I do a fair bit of video work on the run and I used to carry a 700w inverter. I now use a 130w inverter, I have never had a reason to use the 700w but every trip I go on, I use the 130Wer all the time. Both while travelling and on site where I might be all day.
I keep all the spare Handheld Scanner, Video and Camera batteries charged and run a computer while I’m stopped and have never had a problem.
It would work out much cheaper in the long run doing it this way than getting a different 12 volt adapter every time you buy a new piece of equipment.
To buy all the adapters I would have needed to keep my gear running, would have cost well over a $1000.
By using an inverter you simply use the 240v charges that comes with the equipment and don’t have to shop around trying to find a 12 volt adapter as some gear does not always have adapters readily available, this was the reason I first went to an inverter and at the time I thought I would get a medium size one to make sure it would do what I needed it to do.
For space saving reasons I later got the 130Wer and have been using it ever since, thats about 5 years now.
Jaycar have a 100Wer, not sure of the retail price and I use the Altronics 100Wer, it retails for $99 and both come with the cigarette plug on them.
I have only used it with an Apple G3 and G4 laptops but as I said, I,ve had no problems at all.
Regards

When you're looking, make sure you look at the "surge" rating of the unit also as some things take more than their running current/power to get going. Also do your sums, divide the power of the unit by 12 to get the running current i.e. 120w inverter=10 amps at full tilt, thats a bit. drivesafes 700w unit would need large wiring to deliver the grunt to make it work although he doesnt use all it has to offer, also the batterys gotta be able to deliver it also, or the alternator if your running at the time....

I have a 300w unit that I reckon I would tax more then 150w.

Check out ebay, theres a guy who regularly does inverters there from Sydney his name is d-Hype (or something) there. Theres bargains to be had for good units.

Thanks for the responses, but when using conversion, the input of the laptop's AC adapter works to be 360W, while the laptop only consumes 90W. However others have said that they power laptops on 130W. So would a 150W or 300W inverter be suitable?

Thanks

Where Laptop ONLY use is concerned, the only power item worth using is the KERIO from Dick Smith's. The physics (electronic) of why and how have been done to death within the last 12 months on this forum.

If you want to use a laptop plus other 240V appliances then look at a Pure Sine Inverter.

Other run of the mill appliances only, like a drill or whatever comes to mind, then a modified sine inverter.

The essence of all this is that most laptops require around 18-19V at a constant 5amps( approx.). The KERIO appears to be the most appropriate 12V source appliance to provide same.

Its all abou keeping your laptop 'happy'

Some use inverters and never have a problem, others have and blown their laptops/notebooks up.

Never heard of or seen a reported problem with a KERIO that is used for laptop use only.

Whatever, make your own mind up. I use a a KERIO for the laptop and carry a 600W Jaycar inverter for other uses.

Regards

Ken Robinson