auto/air adaptor for Toshiba A2 sattelite

Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 29, 2005 at 22:39

ThreadID: 21607 Views:2428 Replies:4 FollowUps:6

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motherofhypo

I wish to use my Toshiba a2 Sattelite laptop for mapping on the road , but Targus do not make one to service the power demand

Has anyone had experience in this area , it looks like installing an inverter ( has to be pure sine wave because of screen) any compact brands , what wattage to use , the 240v adaptor puts out 15v at 8amps

Also any ideas to connect a screen to the laptop , so that the kids can watch the odd dvd on the long bitumen drags , mount screen to back of seat some how?
I have heard of a TFX screen , but am not really good in this area only know how to press the buttons once the system is installed

Just came back from Arkaroola and Gammon Ranges for easter , very dry , no rain since 1998 , only the surface lichen holding the soil together , still really enjoyed the unique rugged beauty of the area , no flies for a change! 4 vehicles from YP 4Wd club , met up with 10 vehicles from the Overlander club from Adelaide

back for more in October

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Reply By: Bob of KAOS - Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 06:53

Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 06:53

MOH
I plug my Toshiba straight into the cigarette lighter and it works fine. The 13.8 volts seems sufficient to run the nominally 15 volt computer.
As for external monitors you can pay quite a lot for specifically designed rear headrest panels, or you can buy a cheap 15" display that runs on a 12V powersupply so it will plug into the cigarette lighter too.
That's what I do and the setup works a treat - hasn't let me down yet.

AnswerID: 104265

Follow Up By: motherofhypo - Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 22:16

Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 22:16

Dear Bob,

what do you use as a connector , my model seems to have a unique tip shape to fit the power inlet

thanks for the reply

MOH

FollowupID: 361787

Follow Up By: Bob of KAOS - Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 23:14

Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 23:14

Jaycar sell the right size connector. Ot alternatively, one of those old 30V HP Printer power supplies uses the same connector.

FollowupID: 361794

Follow Up By: geocacher (djcache) - Thursday, Mar 31, 2005 at 23:18

Thursday, Mar 31, 2005 at 23:18

oooh. Hadn't thought of that.

You are probably right, my only concern would be the voltage fluctuation as the cig lighter is not as regulated as the exxy powersupply.

Does anyone know what the input voltage tolerance on the Toshibas is?

What model laptop is yours Bob?

Dave
(Toshiba Tecra S1)

FollowupID: 361939

Follow Up By: Bob of KAOS - Friday, Apr 01, 2005 at 07:21

Friday, Apr 01, 2005 at 07:21

Dave
its a Satellite 1800 - Model No PS181A. It hasn't missed a beat in the car under a range of conditions so either voltage hasn't fluctuated, or it is insensitive to same. It runs continuously with Oziexplorer, iTunes and occasionally DVD viewer. Next project is to get it connected to internet via GPRS in my Handspring Treo (as far as I can tell the USB drivers to achieve this don't exist and the IR connection is not robust enough).
The only issue I have with the Toshiba is lack of screen brightness and ability to vary it. Maybe 13.8 volts is cause of that.

FollowupID: 361953

Reply By: Groove - Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 08:39

Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 08:39

I have a similar setup in my patrol.

I Have a satellite Pro and use it with a 120 watt targus adaptor.
For a screen I use a small touch screen mounted on the dash.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~supa/car_web/
See pics here.

Cheers

AnswerID: 104282

Follow Up By: motherofhypo - Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 22:18

Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 22:18

Dear Groove

Congrats on your excellent presentation and finished product , I will refer it to a more electrically talented friend for attention

regards,,

MOH

FollowupID: 361788

Reply By: Member - 'Lucy' - Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 17:20

Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 at 17:20

Go to Dick Smiths and get a KERIO. They are made for these types of aoolications.

Most of the Laptaops are rated somewhere between 12V and 24V and draw 4.5amps. The two I have are 19V 4.5amp jobs and the KERIO is the only thing that is suitable.

If you don't have the right amp supply then you will overheat the sucker.

About $90 and is the size of a normal 240V laptop power supply ( U know , the one that comes with it)

Ken Robinson

AnswerID: 104350