inverters

If you want it just for your laptop then you will be better off getting a 12v laptop charger from somewhere like Jaycar. These run from your 12v socket and have selectable voltages suited to your laptop. They come in different wattages/amp ratings and are normally only about $70.

You state you intend to use the inverter while mobile - this is a no no. In the case of an accident the car can become live with 240v. While there have been no deaths in this scenario - a few rescue staff have been electrocuted/zapped attending accidents where inverters were in use.

Bob

You can get 12 volt adapters to run a laptop. I bought mine at JB Hi Fi. I have used it on my Dell Vostro successfully during my current trip.

Inverters use up quite a bit of power to run almost anything.

I also have a 300 watt inverter in the vehicle to charge up camera batteries on the run.

Have fun

DW

Are you going to power up an electric blanket? - absolutely essential for some of us on those chilly nights...stabber/mixer for your yorkshire puddings etc?...600W is ideal.

Happy days
George
[Before I'm howled down - this is my recent persomal experience]

300w will be plenty. They have an inbuilt fan, just make sure it isn't "buried" under luggage etc.

I use a 300w for the same purpose as you intend, as well as running battery charging for the camera, no problems in the 6 years I have used it.

I tried a 300w inverter for a while but it eventually blew my power pack for the laptop.

Later I found out that I should have purchased a pure sine wave inverter and a larger inverter.

Now I have a pure sine wave inverter 1000w nominal up to a 2000w peak. Seems to do the job. When you have an inverter of course you will want to run some other stuff like battery rechargers, etc.

I think the cheapest way would be to get a 12 v adapter if you want to run it while driving. But if you still want to get one just be aware it will produce 240v that can kill you. I have fitted mine with a great big isolator switch so the leads which come directly from the battery can be switched off. And that is another point - what ever inverter you get buy some 6mm2 (min) cable to run it directly from the battery and try to make it as short as possible.

I purchased my gear from this website - others on ex oz have also used them and reported good results.

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Bit-Deals/Pure-Sine-Inverters-/_i.html?_fsub=1750571018&_sid=302026428&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322


Cheers

Serendipity

G'day Bob.
Here's a current eBay listing item No 270354695066 12v or 240v laptop power source.
Research it to find others as I just bought 2 of these from one of the catch of the day type sites they cost me between $20-$30 each delivered (identical to the one in this listing which is $164)
You just don't need an inverter to power a laptop and one of these type of power units won't blow up your laptop either.
Cheers!