Laptops and power inverters

O.k., let me first admit that I am fairly ignorant when it comes to power inverters. Is there something specific I should be on the lookout for with regards to my laptop. I read somewhere about different "waves" and I don't want to get an inverter that will be a bad match for my laptop.

I apologize if this has already been discussed before, and I thank you for your input.

--Oz

 

You should be able to order a dc power plug for your laptop from the manufacturer. They run on dc power anyway. As far as I know, correct if wrong, dc doesn't have a wave. It has been my understanding that dc would show as a straight line on an oscilloscope.

This being said you don't need to convert dc-ac then back to dc. A good power inverter will cost just as much as the automotive plug from the manufacturer if not more. A lighterplug from radioshack would be sufficient but you need to check the laptops ac-dc converter to see the mA and voltage that the laptop needs. It is almost always listed on there.

 

My Dad paid 10 bucks at an auction for a box of miscellaneous electrical stuff, and there were three small invertors in the deal. The smallest one plugs into a cigarette lighter outlet, provides 200 watts, and charges up my laptop just fine. I have been using it for almost a year now, no problems at all. I suspect that if you have a bigger one, and try to run more stuff off of it, then the specs get more specific. But this setup runs my computer just fine.

 

I second Burky.

A small invertor will work fine. KMart has a 180 watt invertor for $18 that works well.

 

i have a 1,500watt inverter runs everything in my truck just fine never had it effect my laptop or my Desktop on my truck once, unless it was turned off lol..

 

I'm glad someone posted this because I'm also new and was also wondering about inverters. I just ordered a laptop from Dell and the girl told me that she wouldn't recommend leaving it plugged into the cigarette lighter but that an inverter should be okay. Why? I have no idea.....I didn't ask.

 

I have a xzantrex 1000 watt inverter I use, as well as a small 150 watt inverter from the same company that pluggs into the lighter. Never a problem from either.

 

Most, if not all electrical/electronic devices will give you an indication of its power supply requirements, somewhere on the unit. Example:

My Gateway laptop says it requires 100W, while my little 8W Fluorescent lamp uses no more than 12W (after losses, which one should calculate in)

A small microwave takes about 600-800W and a 12" TV about 100-150W.

So, two things need to be considered:

Add all the loads that you may use at the same time (in my own case, the laptop, and the fluorescent light)

This comes to about 300W, worst case.

Assuming that you want to run your inverter at no more than 50% duty cycle (keeps it from getting hot, and unneccessarily shortening its life, I would select at the least a 600W unit.

Now, the second point is this, most 12V Accessory plugs are designed and fused to run at a maximum of about 15 amps. To convert this into something that makes sense, 12V@15Amps = 180 Watts.

Trying to run an inverter from the 12V Accessory socket to yield more than 200 Watts is somewhat risky, as the leads are usually not thick enough to carry this amount of current without heating up (possible fire hazard).

So, a good general rule to follow is:

If your inverter is being asked to deliver more than 200W, run leads of sufficient current carrying capacity to the batteries directly.

Thus, if you are installing a 1000 Watt inverter (1000W/12V = approx. 85 Amps) you need wires of at least #2 AWG gauge.

This link is usefull for checking wire Amperage Capacities:

http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

Note: Use the Power Transmission Column.

 

sounds confusing

 

i used an inverter i bought at pilot. paid something like $20 for it. it ran and charged my dell with no problems at all.