run a laptop

What size lappy and what make.

I run a 14in Compaq off a 6amp Converter That is it steps it up from 12 to 19 volts.

I found it cumbersome in the car and even the van so I bought a 10in Netbook Much easier to use and doesnt use so much power

240 volt in a car is a recipe for disaster IMHO

You can buy the stepup converters from Dicky or Jaycar or even Battery World

But dont buy a smaller one like the 3.5amp model

Hi Michael,

We run our laptop for navigation, we found a great charging system from JAYCAR
the part number is MP3478 have had no problems at all for 2 years .

Regards Peter & Jan

The Jaycar part no MP 3472 would be a far better rated supply as it is 6 amp

against the above one which is only 5 amp

Hp are a bit power hungry I have found.

Take it into the shop and hook it up and make the lappy do something.

I had a smaller one and it would fire it up Ok but when it was working power supply got really hot.

The 6a one doesnt do that.


You can always take the battery out and just run it on the power supply if you are worried

Also the reference to sine wave and mod sine wave is for inverters.

They invert your 12Vdc power supply to 240V ac

You could go down this path make sure you get a decent one say 300W or bigger, but will usually cost around $300 or more. You could run or charge more devices off these also, I have one which rarely gets used as all my devices I have some type of dc-dc converter.

You have a laptop which would run around 19V dc - you can buy a dc-dc converter for around $60 which will convert the 12V to 19V dc and away you go. Otherwise you are taking a 12V dc supply inverting it to 240Vac then re-converting it back to 19VDC not very efficient if all you want to do is run the laptop only. But if you are now thinking multiple devices than maybe this is a alternative......

Regards

Hi Michael

I asked a similar question here a month or so back. The advice I got from here, and a supplier of car cig lighter chargers, was that I would need a charger that was 85watt minimun. I enquired on the net to a place called laptop plus, got an email recommending their 90 watt unit.... but its up to you to make sure the fitting size is correct, along with the polarity.

Have a look at Cig Lighter Charger, see if thats what you need.

My Compaq runs on my 'home' power supply, that shows it is 18.5 volts, 4.5 amps. Multiply those two numbers together, you get 83.25 (watts), hence the need for 85~90 watt supply from cig lighter charger, to make sure the battery gets CHARGED as well as just running while plugged in.

Hope this makes sense, and also that I have understood what I was taught!

Cheers, Dave

I use a Dick smith 300w inverter

other option is step up 12 V converters.
i prefer the inverter as I can charge phones and cameras off of it.

the standard cig wiring wont run the inverter to the laptap unless the car is going and it squeels low voltage and cuts out.
they come with alligator clips for the batery if using while parked.

I run my Dell laptop off one of their 12V power supplies plugged into one of the forward 12V sockets.

Hi Mick

The Jaycar agency staff insisted i bring the laptop into the store to ensure they sold me the right power supply.

They sold me the one two members of EO had recommended. Cig plug socket, multiple choice of pins to fit different lap tops, and a dial to select voltage. Very easy to use (it just substitutes for the 'black box' that comes with the computer for mains connection).

Motherhen

You have two options. Either Invert 12 volts to 240volts or convert 12volts to say 19volts, what ever your laptop needs. This can be found on the back of your laptop.

I prefer to use a 12 to 12 converter while in the car. It's safer and unless you buy a pure sine wave inverter you will do the battery no good (it takes a while but the square wave is not idea for sensitive electronic gear)

The other point I would make is I just don't want a device floating around in the car (figure of speech) that delivers 240 volts, that can kill you if some thing goes wrong, just like at home. What if you accidentally drive into a puddle ad it's roof deep - Zap..... I know that's a stretch but it's possible. What if there is a short through the loom that is powering the inverter. May never happen I know but what if?

So driving along I use a dc to dc converter. we have for three years and just completed 22000K across Aus and it worked a treat. once we set up camp though we then plug into the Inverter and along with camera batteries, video camera that also need a charge up we also run the Laptop.

I use a "Canverter" from Jaycar (MI5121) for recharging my laptops and cameras.
No problems, although I was advised not to use it in a cool drink can holder as it might over heat if air flow is restricted.

Had one of these for an rarlier laptop

12V or 100v-240v dosnt matter
Handy bag and charges other acessories
Great when you travel globally and want to keep chargers to a minium
also in tidy bag


Igo universal charger

Good gear

Harrow

I have been using the engel can inverter plugs in cigerette llighter, light weight, fits in a cup holder. I haven't had any problems with laptop using it and I use it for everything, battery charger, mobile charger. I am not sure about sin wave or mod sin either

I use ther Jaycar power supply, same as Motherhen.

bought a HP 12V charger to go with my HP laptop.

can't go wrong with manufacturers accessories !

Evan