Inverter. Power in = power out?

I love your explanations, I think I'm starting to get this stuff !!

Hi John

I haven't even considered what my lap top draws, as i can leave it on all day when camped, and often use it late into the evening, all with no visible drop to the battery levels, but we do have four batteries so the load is spread.

As a further note to Meand2more: If you still want to get an inverter, make sure you try before you buy as laptops can be finicky. Our caravan was fitted with an older style 800 w square wave inverter, so we purchased a 500 w sine wave inverter, bigger than needed for the laptop. My Toshiba Satellite would not run on the 500 w inverter, but i could re-charge the battery when it was turned off. After a problem with the screen, last year i took my daughter's similar age Toshiba Satellite. It ran from the inverter which was a good thing, because the battery would no longer hold a charge for more than ten minutes - no even long enough to start the computer and get on line. When the 500 w inverter died on us, i even ran this Toshiba from the old inverter until i got to a town where i could purchase the power supply (on the recommendation of forum members here). Replacement inverter no longer needed, and much easier to use with the power supply than through the inverter.

Motherhen

Hi, I have using a 12v to 19V power pack for a few years and it works fine. Jacar and Altronics carry them in stock. If you go down the 12/240 inverter, I would recommend a pure sine wave unit as many electronic power supplies in appliances don't like modified sine wave units.

Cheers

Racey

I think I am finally starting to understand this. The 'box' powering my laptop says OUTPUT 18.5V-6.5A 120W.
Can anyone point me to a 12V to 19V power supply like Mother Hen suggested. Have seen her answers before, knows her stuff :)

Hi MrsMolly

It was only from two members here on EO that i learnt about these power supplies. I was planning to get another inverter after ours died. We had to wait some time before we got to a Jaycar stockist which i found from an internet search of their dealerships. We were travelling through NT and Queensland at the time, and Roma was our first chance. I think i mentioned before the people in the shop asked me to bring the laptop in to make sure we got one that would run it. They had a number of different power supplies, mostly cheaper but would have been inadequate. The one we got to suit was the same one both of these EO members had recommended. So best bet is to find your nearest Jaycar agent and take your computer with you.

Mh