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Re: Laptop power in van - Inverter or 12V?

Posted: 28 Apr 2010, 10:05
by horns
albertramsbottom wrote:Also whilst you are plugged in to an inverter it charges your laptop battery. So every hour you can turn of the inverter.

I wouldn't recommend that, unless you enjoy buying new laptop batteries - they won't last long on a constant drain/recharge cycle.

Re: Laptop power in van - Inverter or 12V?

Posted: 28 Apr 2010, 10:55
by 1664
I use the inverter. But then it was fitted before I had the laptop anyway.

Re: Laptop power in van - Inverter or 12V?

Posted: 29 Apr 2010, 11:56
by albertramsbottom
horns wrote:
albertramsbottom wrote:Also whilst you are plugged in to an inverter it charges your laptop battery. So every hour you can turn of the inverter.

I wouldn't recommend that, unless you enjoy buying new laptop batteries - they won't last long on a constant drain/recharge cycle.

Well that is the case with al batteries. Laptop batteries are good for 1000 cycles or more and lets be honest that is what they are designed for!

:ok

Re: Laptop power in van - Inverter or 12V?

Posted: 29 Apr 2010, 12:29
by horns
Laptop batteries are good for very little in my experience. I think I'm on about my 4th...

Re: Laptop power in van - Inverter or 12V?

Posted: 29 Apr 2010, 12:48
by albertramsbottom
horns wrote:Laptop batteries are good for very little in my experience. I think I'm on about my 4th...

Im afraid that Lith Ion batteries are one of the most effiecent batteries that money can buy. If you compare there size to the power output and weight and longevity they are far better then other types.

You might be on your third battery but imagine what would have happened to your starter battery or even your leasure battery if it ran flat as many times as your laptop.

Starter batteries for instance have around 50 cycles of life and a good lesure battery maybe 500. :ok

Re: Laptop power in van - Inverter or 12V?

Posted: 29 Apr 2010, 12:55
by horns
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-io ... advantages" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A disadvantage of lithium-ion cells is their poor cycle life

Are you sure about that?

Re: Laptop power in van - Inverter or 12V?

Posted: 29 Apr 2010, 13:13
by albertramsbottom
horns wrote:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-io ... advantages

A disadvantage of lithium-ion cells is their poor cycle life

Are you sure about that?

Yes i am and dont belive everything that Wiki tells you. Good knows when that article was wriiten. Modern Lith Ion batteries have very good cycle life which is why they are being used for Electric vehicles nowdays. And of course they are getting cheaper!

I think this thread has been lost, having said that I think the point here is that it more efficent in terms of battery life to run down your laptop than it is to use an inverter and run down your leasure battery. :D

I am open to disscusion on this matter but I have started a project to build an electric vehicle and have done extensive research into battery types and there efficency.

I have choosen Lith Poly for my Ev in terms of efficeicy but may go for Trojan Lead acid becuase of amp - money ratio :shock:

Re: Laptop power in van - Inverter or 12V?

Posted: 29 Apr 2010, 13:14
by horns
Fair enough - but I think I'll stick with Wikipedia and my own personal experience...

Re: Laptop power in van - Inverter or 12V?

Posted: 29 Apr 2010, 19:35
by bigherb
albertramsbottom wrote:
I am open to disscusion on this matter but I have started a project to build an electric vehicle and have done extensive research into battery types and there efficency.

I have choosen Lith Poly for my Ev in terms of efficeicy but may go for Trojan Lead acid becuase of amp - money ratio :shock:

Have you looked at Li iron sulfide technology.

Re: Laptop power in van - Inverter or 12V?

Posted: 29 Apr 2010, 20:05
by ambivert
http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/04/06/bob ... exas-town/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; now thats what you want under your seat :D