Club 80-90 Forums

I know this is strictly a Tech query, but since there's a few of you who are pretty clever with this sort of thing I'll ask anyway!
Aside from the technicalities of mounting the laptop in/on the dash, can I use a step-up DC-DC convertor (something like fleabay item 150877299187) to provide a supply to power and/or charge it with a suitable charger? I don't want to lay out for a Sterling or an invertor, total overkill for my needs and I'd like to fit a supply to more than one vehicle.
Requirements are 18v and 70 Watt but I'm not sure there's enough headroom with this 80 watt unit?

If you're using the laptop for mapping software why not hack a Navman 510 to run memory map?

I use one of these to power an old apple macbook (16v, with home-made magsafe adapter), and dell netbook (19V):-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trust-Compact-F ... B001D3344M" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Works well and comes with loads of different tips - will drain your leisure/ main battery surprisingly fast though if the engine isn't running - starts whistling (I don't think that's an intentional feature!), when the power source gets too weak..

Thanks guys. Sat-nav screens are a bit tiddly when trying to identify things off in the distance, although my old one is on the way out anyway! I can't think why I didn't think of a universal in-car adaptor, I just looked at the label over the power port and thought "how can I get 18v?"