power adaptor for laptop
Submitted: Sunday, Dec 10, 2006 at 16:11
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just_cruizn
I just purchased a projecta laptop adaptor to run my laptop in the car, Just got home and checked that my laptop uses 18.5v but the adaptor has settings for 18 or 19v. Does it matter which setting I use?
The laptop is new so I'm afraid to do anything without first asking someone.
Any advice will be really helpful.
Reply By: Marn - Sunday, Dec 10, 2006 at 17:40
Sunday, Dec 10, 2006 at 17:40
See how it charges on 18 volt first. if it is fully charging the battery then it should be OK if not try the 19 volt setting. Cheers
AnswerID:
209620
Reply By: Muddy doe (SA) - Sunday, Dec 10, 2006 at 18:36
Sunday, Dec 10, 2006 at 18:36
Did you get the small one or the larger one?
I think there is a 3500mAmp model and one that is about 7000mAmp.
I know that my Sony laptop seems pretty heavy on the juice so I would need the bigger one. I tried a small one of a different band (Kerio) and it would run it but there was not enough to charge the battery.
Muddy
AnswerID:
209626
Follow Up By: just_cruizn - Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 00:22
Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 00:22
yes i got the 3500
FollowupID:
469715
Reply By: joc45 - Sunday, Dec 10, 2006 at 19:45
Sunday, Dec 10, 2006 at 19:45
Put a voltmeter on the output of your mains adapter. Chances are it will be 0.5v different to the stated output voltage. My Compaq said 18.5v, the adapter was giving 19v, admittedly at no load.
As just_cruizn says, try it first at 18v, then try 19v. You shouldn't do any damage.
Gerry
AnswerID:
209633
Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Sunday, Dec 10, 2006 at 22:20
Sunday, Dec 10, 2006 at 22:20
cruizn,
Hope you don't have a Dell.
Nothing wrong with the notebook itself, but you cannot charge the battery on anything other than a Dell power adapter. Clever aren't they?
AnswerID:
209666
Follow Up By: smileyfella - Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 00:10
Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 00:10
True for some dells... but not all..
You can buy a 12 v adaptor for the older c810 c 610 etc from Electus / Jaycar.
The newer round plug dells are a right pain though.
FollowupID:
469712
Follow Up By: Pajman Pete (SA) - Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 15:12
Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 15:12
I had the same problem with my work Dell Laptop - there are no aftermarket chargers available. But Jaycar sold me this nifty little can shaped inverter that sits neatly in a cup holder and works just fine.
Pete
FollowupID:
469815
Reply By: just_cruizn - Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 00:20
Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 00:20
I have a compaq presario (v2000 series). Thanks guys for your replys, did what joc45 advised, put a volt metre at the adaptor and it read 18.5v. so thats spot on. If anyone needs to know, also tried it at the 19v setting and that read 19.3v.
AnswerID:
209687
Reply By: big fella - Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 05:44
Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 05:44
just wondering how much something like that is it is a great idea then you dont have to buy an inverter
Regards Chef
AnswerID:
209689
Reply By: Col_and_Jan - Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 08:39
Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 08:39
I have used two different adapters (cheaper) off the internet. Last one was 80 W {rated at 4 Amps (4000mA) max at 20V, although I run
mine at 19V}. Both worked fine for a while, but then stopped working. Sent the last one back under warranty, it also worked for a while then again stopped.
They dont seem to have any overload protection. The in-socket fuse is still OK, but Im assuming that when the laptop battery is being charged, and have a couple of USB devices running, it draws too much current for its rated 4A. The AC adapter is rated at 3.42A so it should have been enough.
Im thinking that I should have gotten the more expensive 90W adapter from Dick Smith, easier to return if it stuffs up than the ebay warranties.
I do have an inverter, and it runs fine with that. I was preferring just to have DC to DC rather than going thru an inverter.
Col
AnswerID:
209705
Follow Up By: Col_and_Jan - Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 18:57
Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 18:57
As the last adapter wasnt worth returning, I thought Id have a look. The fuse was still OK, it would be as it is rated at 15A. A bit high, considering the adapter still spit itself!
Inside was a soldered fuse wire, and this had blown. It was obvious that this was replaced when sent away for warranty. Ive replaced the soldered fuse wire with fuse wire of a higher amperage, and have dropped down the external fuse to only 10A. It is rated at 80W output, and at 12 V this is around 7A, so a 10 A fuse should keep it safe, and should blow before the internal fuse blows (read PITA to replace).
Ill keep in mind your overheating adapter Alan, and will monitor this one for heat. The AC adapter gets warm also when using with an inverter. Unfortunately I dont have a pure sine wave inverter, so prefer to do this DC to DC adapting. Seems to work OK at present.
Col
FollowupID:
469886
Reply By: Alan H (Narangba QLD) - Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 13:14
Monday, Dec 11, 2006 at 13:14
I have used two convertors 12v to 18v in the past but no luck. One stopped working and the secondone melted and almost caught fire in the vehicle.
I now have a 240V pure sine wave inverter and this has worked fine for many years and also charges anything else if I remember to pack the charger. (phones, cameras, video, etc.)
The inverter sits under my
seat.
If you go this way, be sure to use a pure sine wave invertor if running a laptop.
AnswerID:
209747