INVERTER/LAP TOP

[Paul M]

:-( Hi All

 

I have just been given an inverter the details on it read, Soft Start 150W - DC to AC Power Surge to 450W . which works via cigarette lighter socket.

 

QUESTION if I connect my lap top to this and as long as I keep the engine running, will I be able to keep it charged so that my wife can keep the Autoroute programme running in the lap top.

 

We are off over the water on Tuesday, lets hope it's not to rough. (lol) (lol) (lol)

[zulurita]

Hi Paul,

 

It should work ok. However I would be worried about spikes/surges in power to the laptop.

 

I have used my invertor to re-charge the battery on my laptop but tend to do it via the 12v plug in the habitation side. I also have a surge protector between laptop plug and inverter socket.

[panagah]

The simplest way would be to buy a laptop car charger. Maplins have a good range and you may need to check the polarity and the power to make sure you get the right one for your laptop. We charge ours as we are driving and then we charge it via one of the 12v habitation supplies whilst sited. It does not drain the battery to much and we have been on battery power for over 3 days before having to run the engine to charge the habitiation battery.

[Clive]

Hi Paul,

The short answer is yes.

12 volt Laptop adaptors also work but should your Laptop go belly up when in the car any warranty you maye have had on it will be down the plughole if the adaptor / power supply module is not as supplied by the Laptop manufacturer.

 

C.

 

[dikyenfo]

If you have a solar panel fitted there is usually an extra output for extras to be plugged in and this as it is coming from the regulator should be better for your laptop than the vagaries of the raw 12v. system with large back EMF's from car equipment.

[handyman]

i got a 12v lappy charger out of Aldi last week for £10. Might be worth a look. I presume one for a lappy will give a constant voltage?