Laptops and power inverters

heck i used to use a 75 watt inverter (which was really crappy i might add) to charge my laptop never had a problem with it

 

ceburus,I use the same one for my gateway from pilot. works fine.

 

I use a 400 watt Black and Decker inverter from Wal-Mart. So long as I'm idling the truck, there's no problem. When the truck's off, the low voltage alarm on the inverter goes off.

 

scarecrow i used to have the same problem with an inverter i had i replaced it any i never get any alarms now

 

hHeres what ive done.......


a 1000 watt inverter (99$),a couple feet of thick power wire directly to my (optional) marine battery or to your regular batteries.i am able to charge many things at once without any problems,and i normally will run things like a microwave by itself.U can try the cheaper smaller inverters but i actually think they r a bit more dangerous as they tend to overheat and cause other problems......spend a little more on the inverter and u dont have 2 worry about all the specific electrical requirements so much.
Just use battery cable size stuff when you hook it up.i think the 1000watt is about the perfect size for most people unless u have some specific need to run something BIG.....


k

 

Your laptop'll charge just fine with an inverter. The A/C charger's circuitry will negate any power sine/wave fluctuations. The waves ya see on an o-scope are only an issue for devices like rotary power tools, that use the electricity to form a magnetic field. (to spin the metallic spindle)

 

Am told that for running your DVD player, VCR and TV, you want to spend more money on an inverter that inverts in "pure" sine as opposed the the "alternating" sine of most inverters, ie Vektor. Again, not an issue for laptops as they are already inverted back to DC.

What I don't get is how you hardwire these things into your truck's battery. I know you're not popping the hood of your truck every night to run a twenty foot cord through your open window when it's 3 degrees. Did you drill holes through the floor board and the firewall? How does that work? Is the inverter in the cab or under the hood? Paint the picture for me.

 

trucks have 4 batteries in a box on the drivers side.

 

All trucks?

 

I used an inverter that I purchased from pilot to plug in my TV/DVD combo and VHS player in truck, worked. I also used an inverter purchased from pilot to run and charge my laptop and printer. Paid $40.00 for both of them and they work just fine. Forget all the sine wave garbage, just go to the Pilot truck Stop and purchase one of the small inverters, plug it in the cigarette lighter and plug in the lap top. it works fine and will not harm your equipment.