Laptop + Zig Unit + Leisure Battery.

[jim2tall]

hey folks, first post..

so!

I have a t25 autosleeper trident, with zig unit fitted, and want to know how to run the laptop off the leisure battery..

As far as i know the zig only runs when you have the electric hooked up from external (240 - 12v)

I am also aware that i'd need an inverter..

I guess i'm asking if plug into the 12v cig lighter output on the zig via the inverter would it draw from the leisure battery? (i.e. if im NOT hooked up to mains)

apologies for confusion!

thanks

Jim

[ambivert]

don't know anything about Zig units, but 2 things spring to mind:
- if you're plugged into mains hookup, you don't need an inverter, just use that mains for your lappy
- if running from the battery, you could use a DC-DC converter, instead of plugging your lappy power supply into an inverter. It'll use less power and cost less to buy, and you won't run the risk of your power supply not liking the choppy AC waveform output that all cheap (ie. NOT pure sine-wave) inverters output.

oh, and welcome!

[kevtherev]

if the cig lighter is connected to the leisure then you could do that.

where's the zig come in to it?

any hoo why not buy a 12v laptop charger.. less than a tenner, and saves all that effing about with inverters.

lap top charger..click

[jim2tall]

don't know anything about Zig units, but 2 things spring to mind:
- if you're plugged into mains hookup, you don't need an inverter, just use that mains for your lappy
- if running from the battery, you could use a DC-DC converter, instead of plugging your lappy power supply into an inverter. It'll use less power and cost less to buy, and you won't run the risk of your power supply not liking the choppy AC waveform output that all cheap (ie. NOT pure sine-wave) inverters output.

oh, and welcome!

hey! thanks for speedy response too.

i am aware of mains hookup is all good.

I guess my question is, does the 12v socket on the zig link to the leisure battery or does it just feed off the external mains..

[jim2tall]

if the cig lighter is connected to the leisure then you could do that.

where's the zig come in to it?

any hoo why not buy a 12v laptop charger.. less than a tenner, and saves all that effing about with inverters.

lap top charger..click

as i've said above, a condensed question would be, does the 12v socket on the zig feed off the leisure or just comes off mains.

shame with the laptop is that it only lasts about 20 mins unless its plugged in, battery is old.

thanks for DC-DC advice too!

[jim2tall]

the zig unit i have is an mc2000 in case anyone might be familiar.

[kevtherev]

as i've said above, a condensed question would be, does the 12v socket on the zig feed off the leisure or just comes off mains.

A zig unit it basically a battery charger.
the 12v socket is wired to a battery.

the zig charges a battery when it's on mains.
but if you're on mains then you can just plug it in.

never heard of an MC2000
zig units sart with CF suffix

[jim2tall]

thanks

its mc2000 unless mine eyes decieve me..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jim2tall/4 ... 1/sizes/l/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jim2tall]

soooo..

in theory if i get hold of one of these..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Caravan-Socket-Ad ... 77fedd8639" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and one of these..

http://www.passionauto.co.uk/products/e ... harger.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can run my laptop off the leisure battery for a while, which would then be recharged by the journey!

[kevtherev]

By jove, I think you have it jim!



wow I ain't never seen these before...nice

[jim2tall]

They seem hard to find, or at least info online is hard to find!

It seems they are an old conversion, really really useful!

i went for this laptop charger, its 20 quid but it has a higher current output which is needed for my specific laptop

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... %26otn%3D2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

right! now to find a replacement waste water tap as mine seems to have been pranged and i don't fancy pissing off the campsite owners of britain and france with my dirty water.

[kevtherev]

we use a bucket.. it gets knocked over occasionaly on grass

[jim2tall]

my tap will most likely open itself on an a road..

thanks again sir

[ambivert]

what tap? isn't it meant to just go straight out the hole in the side then...

[Plasticman]

I got a diverter tap fitted, really pi***s off tailgaters as they dont know exactly what it is thats spraying all over them
mike