laptop

Post by **Don-Tucker** » 31 May 2006, 07:11

Does anyone run a Sony Vaio lap top from the cig lighter socket using one of those 12v to 19v adaptors from Maplins..?.I am thinking of putting a cig.lighter socket on the liesure bat.box so that I won't be draining the main battery.I can then use it for things like, water pump,awning light as well.
Anyone any thoughts on this,please.
Don

Post by **trickydicky** » 31 May 2006, 07:36

I have posted on this before I think in camping, I use my camper day to day as a mobile office, I have two power inverters one of the main battery for my printer and one of the lesure for the laptop. I bought mine from Maplins for around £30.00 a pop but you can get lower amp. one's slightly cheaper.
£60.00 seems a lot but I have had mine years and on work outings to Dublin I have ran a small T.V. whilst waiting for the ferry in my L.T.
Will you get a flat battery using it, Yes

They are supposed to give an audible warning but like an oil light, when you here the beep it's to late, so just be carefull.

Post by **colouredFunk** » 31 May 2006, 09:00

Hey, I'm thinking of the same thing. How long does the battery last with you laptop?

Also, which socket do you use? I'm going to have to put on of these in -
http://www.sailgb.com/p/12v_20a_power_s ... _type_cap/
http://www.sailgb.com/p/12v_16a_p_mount ... cket__cap/

Post by **trickydicky** » 31 May 2006, 09:13

On the lap top I get about two hours before a buzz.
And to be honest the day I had the flat, well that was more down to a 18inch L.C.D. T.V. and a PS2. Oh and two make things worth it was G.T.A. and I had it plugged into the stereo on a C.D. player converter

Might not have heard the buzzing

This is what mine looks like,

Post by **toomanytoys** » 31 May 2006, 09:23

I's be interested to know how well the 12-19v "inverter" works for a laptop too.. c
ant see the piont of going from 12v to 230v only to go back down to 19v to run the laptop.. so much loss in there.. but "incar" laptop supplis havent been around that long really.. (local supermaket has one in, but wants over 100 quid for it!!)

Post by **badger** » 31 May 2006, 10:04

cant see the piont of going from 12v to 230v only to go back down to 19v to run the laptop

Going from DC to AC then back to DC is ineficcient; one of the DC/DC power supplies should be more efficient. Think Maplins do one for about £20:00.

Post by **colouredFunk** » 31 May 2006, 10:28

hey whats that picture of? I can't figure it out..

Post by **Don-Tucker** » 31 May 2006, 11:17

All intersting comments,I want to use the laptop as a TV so I may be using more power with the TV gadget taking power from USB,maybe I will have to use it on "hook up" only.As regards the sockets,I was going to use something from Halfords,but those 2 look good,if I could get them local.
I agree with the comment about going to 230v then back down to 19v the Maplins inverter will go from 12v to 19v at 3.5amps or another one at 6amps,I dont know which one I would need.
Don

Post by **trickydicky** » 01 Jun 2006, 06:42

I agree, the most effieciant way would to be use the D.C. > D.C. converters but mine are about simplicity

One of the other things I use the camper for is to supply pet portraites in aid of a charity called G.S.D. 2000 on these occasions I take a cannon printer, digital SLR and a diferent laptop where possible I either use my generator or onsite hookup, but by having my setup I can be guaranteed 240v without the hassell of getting adapters for all my toys if there are "problems"
The picture is the end of the inverter the wires are all neatly tucked into the battery so all I have to do is plug stuff in