Power for the Laptop

RufusG · 08-02-2002

I have just bought a Universal Power unit (PA380U) from Targus.

This converts the 12volt directly to the 12-20volts you need for your laptop. ( Different PowerTips for each computer )

Saves having 2 different Power blocks

It is very light ( 5.6 ounces ) and works in planes too.

Any other good ideas about Power etc ?

RufusG · 08-04-2002

I also bought a PowerBase battery ( made by www.fedcoelectronics.com ).

This is a battery about the size of a small laptop that powers my laptop for over 10 hours.

Cost was about $170.

Coupled with the Targus Universal Power Unit ( PA380U ) that powers my laptop directly from the PowerBase battery without a mains inverter, I can now operate all day away from the car, with just a small shoulder bag or back-pack

ffc · 08-09-2002

I have just picked up a 12 volt to 230/240 Volt inverter from Maplins in the UK for £40.
Couldn't afford an official Car/power pack for my Gateway and the targus were coming in for big money as well.
Inverter works fine and sits nicely on the floorpan of the front passenger bay in my car

Road King · 08-29-2002

An Inquiring Mind Wants to Know if UK-built cars are now POSITIVE or NEGATIVE ground ("earthed," I think is the term from my sports car days)?

Yes, a full-wave diode bridge in the DC line would solve any compatibility issues along those lines, but it would be nice to know, in case I ever rent a car in the UK again for Stumbling or ham radio use.

(I have owned several MG/BMC vehicles...none since the early 70's... and the Positive Earth was one of the intersting aspects of English cars.)

::::

Q: Whay do Brits drink their beer warm?

A: Because Lucas builds their refrigerators!

(Old US MG Owner joke)

RufusG · 08-29-2002

British Cars are now all Negative Earth

- so any of your equipment using a standard auto ( cigarette lighter ) power plug will work here.

BTW, most of the US & Japanese manufacturers have factories here in the UK, and many of the cars are exported.
- so we have conform to the standard !

Laidback · 08-29-2002

- so we have conform to the standard !

Apart from where we stick the steering wheel!!

RufusG · 08-29-2002

I do not intend to defend which side of the road we drive on in UK

But just to inform you that 1/3 of the worlds population live in countries that drive on the left
( Many island nations - and the old British Empire )

Here is an article about it:

http://www.travel-library.com/genera...hich_side.html

..rary.com/general/driving/drive_which_side.html

Since South Africa drives on the left, and North Africa drives on the right, what happens in the middle . . . . . . .

Laidback · 08-29-2002

>Since South Africa drives on the left, and North Africa drives on >the right, what happens in the middle . . . . . . .

Probably something like Madrid on a good day!! :-) Where I am - with a wrong sided steering wheel! (well right really...but wrong if you know what I mean...now I'm confused)

pathighgate · 08-29-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Road King
Q: Whay do Brits drink their beer warm?

A: Because Lucas builds their refrigerators!

(Old US MG Owner joke)

You just brought back a flood of memories from my old MGB (which is sadly gone). I think at one point I pried off the Lucas badge off the side in complete anger and frustration. I also at the time kept my mag mount CB antennea on the back trunk and would cruise around trying to find truckers to talk to... which could point to why I like war driving so much later in life.

RufusG · 09-12-2002

I saw a Belkin 70Watt Power Converter in UK PC World store

Input from Car or Aeroplane 12Volt socket.

For this UK version: Output 240Volts, with UK power socket.
Price UKP 39.99

I assume that a European 220Volt and a USA 110Volt version is also produced for other countries.
Price should be be around $70

hratch · 09-12-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by RufusG
I have just bought a Universal Power unit (PA380U) from Targus.

This converts the 12volt directly to the 12-20volts you need for your laptop. ( Different PowerTips for each computer )

Saves having 2 different Power blocks

It is very light ( 5.6 ounces ) and works in planes too.

Any other good ideas about Power etc ?

i just bought that thing yesterday.....love it.

davepc · 09-12-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by pathighgate

You just brought back a flood of memories from my old MGB (which is sadly gone). I think at one point I pried off the Lucas badge off the side in complete anger and frustration. I also at the time kept my mag mount CB antennea on the back trunk and would cruise around trying to find truckers to talk to... which could point to why I like war driving so much later in life.

AH yes.
My Brother-in-law had a '69 MGC (yes C).
What a sweet roadster. Fun to drive fast because of the overdrive but man... the brakes were always failing! He traded it in for one of these babies....
MINICA SKIPPER

"featured a 38ps twin carburetor SU engine and had a top speed of 120km/h."

Yee haw! now we're cookin'

You could open the back of this 'station wagon' while sitting in the drivers seat. You just reached back and popped the button!

-dc

Eyecannon · 09-12-2002

Anyone know an inverter with a Sager tip?

RufusG · 09-13-2002

What is a sager tip ?

Can you explain more.

Is is on the Input 12/24Volt end ?

Or is it for a special PDA/laptop computer ?

The Targus PA380U has many different tips available

- when you buy it you get a selection of the most common connectors, plus the option to request 1 additional tip at no charge.

Eyecannon · 09-13-2002

Sager is a brand of laptop.

08-02-2002	#1 (permalink)
RufusG Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 19	Power for the Laptop I have just bought a Universal Power unit (PA380U) from Targus. This converts the 12volt directly to the 12-20volts you need for your laptop. ( Different PowerTips for each computer ) Saves having 2 different Power blocks It is very light ( 5.6 ounces ) and works in planes too. Any other good ideas about Power etc ? __________________ RufusG

08-04-2002	#2 (permalink)
RufusG Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 19	Extra Power I also bought a PowerBase battery ( made by www.fedcoelectronics.com ). This is a battery about the size of a small laptop that powers my laptop for over 10 hours. Cost was about $170. Coupled with the Targus Universal Power Unit ( PA380U ) that powers my laptop directly from the PowerBase battery without a mains inverter, I can now operate all day away from the car, with just a small shoulder bag or back-pack __________________ RufusG

08-09-2002	#3 (permalink)
ffc Still Learning Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: london Posts: 22	240 volt inverter I have just picked up a 12 volt to 230/240 Volt inverter from Maplins in the UK for £40. Couldn't afford an official Car/power pack for my Gateway and the targus were coming in for big money as well. Inverter works fine and sits nicely on the floorpan of the front passenger bay in my car

08-29-2002	#4 (permalink)
Road King Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Far from the edge Posts: 7	A Question of Polarity An Inquiring Mind Wants to Know if UK-built cars are now POSITIVE or NEGATIVE ground ("earthed," I think is the term from my sports car days)? Yes, a full-wave diode bridge in the DC line would solve any compatibility issues along those lines, but it would be nice to know, in case I ever rent a car in the UK again for Stumbling or ham radio use. (I have owned several MG/BMC vehicles...none since the early 70's... and the Positive Earth was one of the intersting aspects of English cars.) :::: Q: Whay do Brits drink their beer warm? A: Because Lucas builds their refrigerators! (Old US MG Owner joke)

08-29-2002	#5 (permalink)
RufusG Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 19	British Cars are now all Negative Earth - so any of your equipment using a standard auto ( cigarette lighter ) power plug will work here. BTW, most of the US & Japanese manufacturers have factories here in the UK, and many of the cars are exported. - so we have conform to the standard ! __________________ RufusG

08-29-2002	#6 (permalink)
Laidback Laidback Stumbler Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Madrid Posts: 65	- so we have conform to the standard ! Apart from where we stick the steering wheel!!

08-29-2002	#7 (permalink)
RufusG Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 19	Which side do you drive ? I do not intend to defend which side of the road we drive on in UK But just to inform you that 1/3 of the worlds population live in countries that drive on the left ( Many island nations - and the old British Empire ) Here is an article about it: http://www.travel-library.com/genera...hich_side.html ..rary.com/general/driving/drive_which_side.html Since South Africa drives on the left, and North Africa drives on the right, what happens in the middle . . . . . . . __________________ RufusG Last edited by RufusG : 08-29-2002 at 08:32 AM.

08-29-2002	#8 (permalink)
Laidback Laidback Stumbler Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Madrid Posts: 65	>Since South Africa drives on the left, and North Africa drives on >the right, what happens in the middle . . . . . . . Probably something like Madrid on a good day!! :-) Where I am - with a wrong sided steering wheel! (well right really...but wrong if you know what I mean...now I'm confused)

09-12-2002	#10 (permalink)
RufusG Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 19	Belkin 70Watt Power Converter I saw a Belkin 70Watt Power Converter in UK PC World store Input from Car or Aeroplane 12Volt socket. For this UK version: Output 240Volts, with UK power socket. Price UKP 39.99 I assume that a European 220Volt and a USA 110Volt version is also produced for other countries. Price should be be around $70 __________________ RufusG

09-12-2002	#13 (permalink)
Eyecannon Ward River Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Santa Monix Posts: 679	Anyone know an inverter with a Sager tip? __________________ No, officer, YOU are under arrest! http://eyecannon.com/wardrive.html

09-13-2002	#14 (permalink)
RufusG Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 19	What is a sager tip ? What is a sager tip ? Can you explain more. Is is on the Input 12/24Volt end ? Or is it for a special PDA/laptop computer ? The Targus PA380U has many different tips available - when you buy it you get a selection of the most common connectors, plus the option to request 1 additional tip at no charge. __________________ RufusG

09-13-2002	#15 (permalink)
Eyecannon Ward River Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Santa Monix Posts: 679	Sager is a brand of laptop. __________________ No, officer, YOU are under arrest! http://eyecannon.com/wardrive.html

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode