power inverters?????

L0k33 · 01-14-2003

Ok, Im a newb.....just started an Im noticing that my batt runs down fast. Anything in particular I need to know about power inverters?? Some better than others.......how much power do I need???

Im running everything off a new Thinkpad A31- P4 1.6, Orinoco gold card with a small omni.

thnx,

Junior

MRK · 01-14-2003

I think a simple 300 watt would do nicely. They are only like 60 bucks or so. Walmart or radioshack has them.

-Mr.K

jbalbany · 01-14-2003

I just picked one up at Grossmans (Albany, NY). 175 Watt Vector $20. I think BJ's Wholesale Club sells them for $30. The one I used to use on my notebook was a 50Watt. I think it got a little wet from snow.

-JB

peekitty · 01-14-2003

You can usually find auto/air adapters for most laptops on ebay and skip the inverter. I've got one by Extend and one from Targus and they both work great and run cool to the touch.

Either way, the electrons have been through the wringer by the time they get to the laptop- car alternator generates AC --> rectifier/regulator circuit converts to DC --> power inverter flips it back to AC and increases voltage --> laptop adaptor converts back to DC and steps voltage back down. It's amazing our cars don't burst into flames more often...

hratch · 01-14-2003

yeah i have the targus auto/air adapter as well....no need to run 12VDC to 120VAC then back to 12VDC again. $120 but it was worth it for me. lappy and amp both run off of one cigarette lighter with no worries of drawing too much current.

renderman · 01-14-2003

Just remember to unplug all your crap when you turn off the vehicle (at least the inverter).

I learned my lesson several times this month; -20C weather with the laptop,gps,cd player, inverter left plugged in (but off). The auto club is getting to know me from all the boosts

sparafina · 01-14-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by hratch
yeah i have the targus auto/air adapter as well....no need to run 12VDC to 120VAC then back to 12VDC again. $120 but it was worth it for me. lappy and amp both run off of one cigarette lighter with no worries of drawing too much current.

I got one from laptopsforless.com for about $50, I've used it heavily in the car and plane for 6 months now. It looks like a cheap POS chicom adapter, but it's been rock solid.

L0k33 · 01-15-2003

thnx guys!!!!!

call-911 · 01-17-2003

Looky here. $65 shipped via UPS ground.

01-14-2003	#1 (permalink)
L0k33 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2	power inverters????? Ok, Im a newb.....just started an Im noticing that my batt runs down fast. Anything in particular I need to know about power inverters?? Some better than others.......how much power do I need??? Im running everything off a new Thinkpad A31- P4 1.6, Orinoco gold card with a small omni. thnx, Junior

01-15-2003	#8 (permalink)
L0k33 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2	:D thnx guys!!!!!

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01-14-2003	#2 (permalink)
MRK Grid Stumbler Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 241	I think a simple 300 watt would do nicely. They are only like 60 bucks or so. Walmart or radioshack has them. -Mr.K

01-14-2003	#3 (permalink)
jbalbany Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 19	I just picked one up at Grossmans (Albany, NY). 175 Watt Vector $20. I think BJ's Wholesale Club sells them for $30. The one I used to use on my notebook was a 50Watt. I think it got a little wet from snow. -JB

01-14-2003	#4 (permalink)
peekitty Macaca Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S. Florida Posts: 1,056	You can usually find auto/air adapters for most laptops on ebay and skip the inverter. I've got one by Extend and one from Targus and they both work great and run cool to the touch. Either way, the electrons have been through the wringer by the time they get to the laptop- car alternator generates AC --> rectifier/regulator circuit converts to DC --> power inverter flips it back to AC and increases voltage --> laptop adaptor converts back to DC and steps voltage back down. It's amazing our cars don't burst into flames more often...

01-14-2003	#5 (permalink)
hratch Roadie Stumbler Join Date: May 2002 Location: On the Move... Posts: 308	yeah i have the targus auto/air adapter as well....no need to run 12VDC to 120VAC then back to 12VDC again. $120 but it was worth it for me. lappy and amp both run off of one cigarette lighter with no worries of drawing too much current.

01-14-2003	#6 (permalink)
renderman Drunken Stumbler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Anywhere but Utah Posts: 1,862	Just remember to unplug all your crap when you turn off the vehicle (at least the inverter). I learned my lesson several times this month; -20C weather with the laptop,gps,cd player, inverter left plugged in (but off). The auto club is getting to know me from all the boosts

01-17-2003	#9 (permalink)
call-911 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 12	Looky here. $65 shipped via UPS ground.