In car power for Eee PC etc.

Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 22:06
ThreadID: 85191 Views:3466 Replies:10 FollowUps:5
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Just wondering, for those using the cig. lighter power adaptors to run their PC's.....
What is the effect of stopping and starting on the PC? ie: engine cranking, power fluctuations etc.
Do the PC batteries worry about being charger/powered on and off with stopping and starting of vehicle?
Trying to decide on the standard "Jaycar/Dickie" type or maybe something like these?
http://www.carnetix.com/CNX_1290.htm
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Reply By: Mick O - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 22:16

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 22:16
I run the Eepc using a 150W beer can type inverter from Jaycar. If your worried about continuous shut down through use of the cigarette lighter socket, I’d recommend running a fused lead of heavier cable into the cab from your auxiliary battery and putting a double or triple plug outlet on it. This will alleviate those concerns. I’ve always been a bit dubious about the standard cig plugs ability to carry load. The other option is a Kerio adapter from Dick Smith Electronics. A bit dearer but purpose made for laptop power in DC situations. The inverter gives you a bit more flexibility for charging cameras, video, batteries etc.

Just be aware that non fan inverters will get hot so keep them in a spot where they get well ventilated and are not in direct sunlight.


Cheers Mick
''We knew from the experience of well-known travelers that the
trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
Richard Maurice - 1903

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Reply By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 23:45

Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 at 23:45
Like Mick I use the Sine Wave Inverter to run and charge all those devices including the EeePC that came with 230v chargers. Those that have 12v cigar chargers get those.

Interruption of the 12v supply will not affect the EeePC other than to pause the charging. It will not upset the EeePc. If the EeePC is in operation it will continue from its internal battery without any upset.

Cannot see why you would need the 12v Carnetix system or similar.

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Allan

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Reply By: Member - Steve M1 - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 07:36

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 07:36
Have a look of the size of wire powering cig. lighter. Maybe too small to carry sufficient amps. I run an 1000W Inverter from 2 batteries in back of ute. enough to run caravan frid lights, beer fridge in ute, all charged by solar.

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Reply By: vk1dx - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 08:52

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 08:52
I don't run a computer nor even take one with me. But with a few decades of electronics under my hat I suggest do the same as the previous posters do. Get a good quality inverter and run it off 240V.

Phil
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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 09:16

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 09:16
I would avoid putting 240V in your vehicle unless you really have to. and in this case you don't.

Get something like This 12V Power Supply from Jaycar or similar, just make sure that it is compatible with your PC. There are millions of these on Ebay.

If you want to go 1 step further you can even modify your laptop so it turns on and off automatically when you start the vehicle.

There is lots of info about this on powering Laptops in cars here
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Follow Up By: TerraFirma - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 12:48

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 12:48
I agree don't see the need to run an inverter just to accomplish this. Check your power settings on the PC and tune them to suit.
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Reply By: Members - Bow & Nan - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 10:09

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 10:09
I use a cig. lighter power adaptor from Dick Smith to run a Eee PC and have never had a problem. From memory the Eee PC is 12v

Greg
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 10:15

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 10:15
My ASUS EeePC (1001HA) power supply is 19 Volt 2.1 Amp.

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Allan

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Follow Up By: Members - Bow & Nan - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 10:23

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 10:23
Just had a look my 900A is 12v 3Amp

Greg
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 10:55

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 10:55
Just had a look at the ASUS site. There are more EeePC Models, Series, Editions and Variants than you could shake a stick at. All with differing power supply specifications!

As always, it is essential to check the power supply specifications on the data label of the computer before connecting any external power.

Having had past problems with after-market power supplies it is now my preference to use the power supply provided with the appliance. Hence the use sometimes of the 240v inverter which, contrary to popular belief, is no less efficient than a typical dc-dc converter.

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Allan

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Reply By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 13:27

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 13:27
I specifically brought my model 1000HA because it is a 12v device - so you can directly run it off 12v from the car with a little homemade direct lead.

Suggest use D.C. cable that is not to thick 0.5mm copper wire of at least a meter long - this limits initail surge current.

When winch etc is on you can see the eeepc switch to its internal batteries.
Robin Miller

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Reply By: Allfour4x4 - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 17:23

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 17:23
Plenty to think about now!!
The PC is the Asus t101mt.
A lot of the forums seem to go against the inverter idea.
The computer shop seems to think the touch screen will use enough power to need an inverter.
The idea of turn on and off with key/ignition sounds great but from what I can read the Asus system won't support this (One of the reasons I was thinking of the Carnetix unit)
Buggered if I know now.....maybe the plain old car charger and old fashioned start up/shutdown will have to do.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 18:34

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 18:34
Some are hesitant about inverters without being able to express cogent reasons.
Possibly because of reported problems using square-wave or low-quality modified-square-wave models. Or they point to efficiency shortcomings. Or even perceived hazards of operating 240 volt devices within the vehicle.

* I would propose that using a high-quality modified-square-wave, or even better, a pure-sine-wave inverter will pose no problems with any connected load.
* The efficiency of a good inverter is likely to be as good or better than many dc-dc converters. Just do not select an inverter grossly larger than your real needs.
* There is no more hazard operating 240v appliances within your vehicle than in your home provided you observe standard safety considerations. As the connected appliances are most likely to be double-insulated there is no risk of electric shock from device malfunction. In fact a quality inverter being of isolated design (i.e. without reference to earth) it is even less likely to create a hazard than the domestic mains.

I suggest to make your selection on what best suits you without being spooked by expressions of those electrically unqualified. Just be sure to use quality, follow the supplied instructions and do not modify the 240v side.



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Allan

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Reply By: Rossc0 - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 18:50

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 18:50
Use a cig lighter charger of the applicable output voltage for your computer.

I have used one with my eee 900A for more than 3 years in three different vehicles without any issue.

The pc will switch to battery when starting or when ignition off and then switch to the charger when power is provided by the cig lighter. You will have to manually start and shutdown the computer.

They use less then 5 amps and most cig lighters (do they still exist) use 8 or more amps without any problems with the wiring.

If you have need of 240v otherwise then go the inverter route. However we've always found this unnecessary as all our battery equipment, cameras, phones, laptop, netbook, mp3 player, etc have 12v chargers and so are plugged in when driving and always topped up ready to use.

Cheers
Ross
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Reply By: 1533rl - Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 22:42

Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 22:42
When I use my eeePc in the car, I have a 12v cig plug type device bought on ebay for under $20. Specs match my asus model for volts and amps.
Have replaced my ash tray with a double 12v outlet, wired from the aux battery, and with its' own isolating switch and fuse. From the aux battery there is no problem re "spikes" from the starting battery and as the plug outlets can be switched on and off at will I usually have the switch off when starting the car. I have on numerous occaisions forgotten to switch off the 12v power and started the car, all without a problem.
Even if you do not have an aux battery, if you fit an isolating switch you can switch power from the car off before starting.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
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