DC to AC to DC
jeff
our laptops. Now we don't have the DC chargers for them, but we of
course have the line chargers.
Anyone have any experience with running battery charger type devices
off those cigarette lighter AC converters. I know the AC out of them is
rough and I wonder if there was either anything to look out for in
buying a DC to AC converter or if there was any risk to the electronics.
Jeff
Dave C.
You'll be fine, as far as the laptops go. The laptops will work great,
they won't be damaged or anything. Hard part is finding a reliable
inverter. After several brands over many years, I've finally settled
on DieHard (Sears). They seem to be the only brand that I haven't
been able to kill (somehow) after a few months of daily use.
You want to aim for a wattage rating approximately twice (or more) of
your anticipated maximum wattage needs. That's because inverters are
rated for maximum surge current, which they can not sustain reliably
for long-term use.
For two laptops, get a 400W dual-outlet model. -Dave
Rod Speed
> I'm taking a long car trip with a friend and we want to take along our laptops. Now we don't have the DC chargers for
> them, but we of course have the line chargers.
> Anyone have any experience with running battery charger type devices off those cigarette lighter AC converters.
Yes, hordes do.
> I know the AC out of them is rough and I wonder if there was either anything to look out for in buying a DC to AC
> converter
Yes, you dont want the spikes on what comes
out of the lighter socket to get thru to the laptop.
And you can get universal laptop chargers that accept both AC and
DC inputs, with a different input cable for each mode. Those mean
that you only need to carry one charger and can use it as a second
AC charger for the laptop when you arent on the long car trip too.
With the best ones like Targus etc warranty on the charger also
covers any damaged that might happen to the laptop electrically too.
> or if there was any risk to the electronics.
Yes, there certainly is with the cheapest ones. They can die in a way that frys the laptop.
hchi...@hotmail.com
wrote:
FWIW, you can also get a driect to laptop car cord for somewhere
around $100 at the office supply stores.
Dave C.
> >
> >For two laptops, get a 400W dual-outlet model. -Dave
>
> FWIW, you can also get a driect to laptop car cord for somewhere
> around $100 at the office supply stores.
A 400W inverter costs less than that, and can be used for other stuff
besides laptops. Oh, and you'd have to buy two of the $100 car cords
to run two laptops. -Dave
Gary Heston
Dave C. <no...@nohow.never> wrote:
Or charge one at a time.
For someone traveling, something like this might be handy:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96157
A bit more than a basic inverter, but does more.
They have several inverters under $100 as well; I'd go for one with a
continuous rating at least twice the anticipated maximum load. Never
hurts to have the extra capacity, and doesn't stress the device as much.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97047
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66817
Gary
--
Gary Heston ghe...@hiwaay.net http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/
"Where large, expensive pieces of exotic woods are converted to valueless,
hard to dispose of sawdust, chips and scraps." Charlie B.s' definition of
woodworking.
jeff
I had a tough enough time find an AC charger (that wasn't a fortune
for my odd Lenovo plug) for my laptop when it died! I wish they'd do
some standardizing. Since my laptop requires 19v, seems like to would
need to be upconverted anyways. Maybe next laptop I'll try that.
My buddy is out shopping with the info from this thread, I'll see
what he comes back with.
Jeff
Gary Heston
[ ... ]
> I had a tough enough time find an AC charger (that wasn't a fortune
>for my odd Lenovo plug) for my laptop when it died! I wish they'd do
>some standardizing. Since my laptop requires 19v, seems like to would
>need to be upconverted anyways. Maybe next laptop I'll try that.
> My buddy is out shopping with the info from this thread, I'll see
>what he comes back with.
Lenovo notebooks are the former IBM ThinkPad line; all of them use 19V
adapters. Some have higher current ratings, so make sure you get one
rated equal or higher than your original.
I loaned an adapter for my ancient 380ED to a co-worker whose much newer
ThinkPads' adapter died just before he was leaving on a trip. Didn't
inconvenience me, since I had two, and saved his bacon.
Should be able to find plenty of them on ebay or elsewhere for $30 or so.