Laptop Power Supply

Hi Dave,
there are leads that plug straight into your cig lighter. But it will be necessary to get the correct one for your computer. So its best to go to a computer supplier and get the correct one to suit your computer.

regards
Revs

Hi Dave,

Young Dickie Smith sells a gizmo called a Kerio adaptor.

It comes with a ciggie plug, box in the middle and a plug to fit a laptop at the other end.

The Kerio has an insert looking for all the world like a fuse called a bias resistor. The bias resistor will give it the exact output voltage to match your laptop.

After all that semi technical rot, go to Dick Smith or probably Jaycar wit your laptop and look at Kerio adaptors.

I have a Dell Lap top
I purchased a universal cig lighter plug in power supply that has variable voltage out put The laptop can take a couple of extra volts that should not hurt it. However it will only run the laptop, all day if you like, but WILL NOT CHARGE THE BATTERY.
I am told I have to get the correct one from Dell to charge the battery. Don't ask why I don't know.
Cheers
Wayne

I run my laptop through a 1000w inverta. I used to use a 600w but found it oo small as the charger drew 450w and it got too hot. The inverta I now use charges the battery as well.
Regards Damien

It is more electrically efficient (less power drain) to use a 12v power supply to run the laptop than use an inverter.
The inverter takes 12v and turns it into 240v, they aren't particularly efficient at doing this, in fact cheap ones can be down around 70%. Then the laptop power supply steps the voltage back down to the 18.5 volts for the actual laptop, again they aren't real efficient (all the later ones I've seen get pretty hot to the touch, heat equals wasted energy.)
I'm also very wary of having 240v in the car while travelling, under seats and around sharp edges especially if there are kids in the vehicle.
The Kerio units mentioned above has a good reputation.
What I did was to get a Kensington charger/power supply which has an adjustable output to suit your laptop and can supply the output from either 240v or 12/24v. So only one unit to carry/store instead of an additional 12v one.
They are a bit dearer than the Kerio style but being multivolt 110-240v are verstile for overseas travel as well.
I bought mine from Ebay/overseas as they were much cheaper.

Dave - Provided your laptop doesn't have a fancy power supply cable and multipin plug, has just a simple 2 pole connector (round, a centre contact and the outer shell) - any 12V to 18/19V adapter capable of supplying adequate current should do the job. The current rating will be given on your mains adapter. Either 18 or 19V should be fine.

I would certainly avoid using an inverter. With the above proviso, suitable 12V power supplies are readily available from Jaycar and similar places. They come with a range of connectors to fit various computers and it's easy to get these connectors wrong, so get the shop to set it up for you. (The critical thing is to get the + and - right way round. Could be very expensive if wrong!) Then araldite to be sure it stays that way.

HTH

John

Jaycar sell a good unit with adjustable output voltage to suit your laptop and a number of different power plugs to suit different models.

Jaycar power supply

Furailther to previous post

mail address aubattery.com.au@gmail.com

Thr prices include postage of $10

Farouk

Hi all,

Thanks to every one for your advice.

Guess the main theme is to get the right adaptor or problems could arise.

I will do the right thing, and go to the knowledgeable people for the correct equipment.

The charger that Farouk mentioned looks for all the world like the one on eBay.... just $65 dearer, however, as I don't understand this sorta stuff, I will go to Dickies or Jaycar.

Thanks again for the good advice,

Dave

I bought one off Ebay, cost around $20, works well. Battery is charged in half an hour, and can use lappy while charging. Handy when in the van out bush.

If it puts out the correct voltage, at the required current, then all should be well.

Ian