| Author |
Message |
pete
Guest
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 Posted:
Wed Nov 24, 2004 5:40 am Post subject:
Using an inverter to charge lap top. |
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I have a 1998 535i V8 and I would like to run an inverter from the
cigarette lighter socket to charge a lap top computer and to be able
to run the laptop from the car battery. I have been told that this
could damage the cars wiring harness while others have said it will
not be a problem to do this and other folks have said it would damage
the lap top. I am in the UK so can anyone else in the uk advise me if
what I want to do is possible and if so what sort of inverter should I
use please?
pete
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Dave Plowman (News)
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Nov 24, 2004 5:40 am Post subject:
Re: Using an inverter to charge lap top. |
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In article <16n7q0dh169hpkhs8eh59t1vplhm9f813a@4ax.com>,
pete <peterturtill@hotmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: | I have a 1998 535i V8 and I would like to run an inverter from the
cigarette lighter socket to charge a lap top computer and to be able
to run the laptop from the car battery. I have been told that this
could damage the cars wiring harness while others have said it will
not be a problem to do this and other folks have said it would damage
the lap top. I am in the UK so can anyone else in the uk advise me if
what I want to do is possible and if so what sort of inverter should I
use please?
|
Do you mean a mains invertor followed by a normal mains charger?
It's a bit of a roundabout way to do it. Isn't it possible to buy a proper
car charger for your laptop?
However, you're restricted to about 10 amps from a cigar lighter socket.
This will power a 100 watt mains invertor. As long as the invertor has a
10 amp or less fuse in its plug, the wiring should not come to any harm.
--
*I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
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Jeff Strickland
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Nov 24, 2004 5:40 am Post subject:
Re: Using an inverter to charge lap top. |
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I used an inverter to run a lap top for about one year.
"pete" <peterturtill@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:16n7q0dh169hpkhs8eh59t1vplhm9f813a@4ax.com...
| Quote: | I have a 1998 535i V8 and I would like to run an inverter from the
cigarette lighter socket to charge a lap top computer and to be able
to run the laptop from the car battery. I have been told that this
could damage the cars wiring harness while others have said it will
not be a problem to do this and other folks have said it would damage
the lap top. I am in the UK so can anyone else in the uk advise me if
what I want to do is possible and if so what sort of inverter should I
use please?
pete |
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Matt O'Toole
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Nov 24, 2004 5:40 am Post subject:
Re: Using an inverter to charge lap top. |
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Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
| Quote: | In article <16n7q0dh169hpkhs8eh59t1vplhm9f813a@4ax.com>,
pete <peterturtill@hotmail.com> wrote:
I have a 1998 535i V8 and I would like to run an inverter from the
cigarette lighter socket to charge a lap top computer and to be able
to run the laptop from the car battery. I have been told that this
could damage the cars wiring harness while others have said it will
not be a problem to do this and other folks have said it would damage
the lap top. I am in the UK so can anyone else in the uk advise me if
what I want to do is possible and if so what sort of inverter should
I use please?
Do you mean a mains invertor followed by a normal mains charger?
It's a bit of a roundabout way to do it. Isn't it possible to buy a
proper car charger for your laptop?
However, you're restricted to about 10 amps from a cigar lighter
socket. This will power a 100 watt mains invertor. As long as the
invertor has a 10 amp or less fuse in its plug, the wiring should not
come to any harm.
|
You need about 75W, or 6-7A at 12V to charge most laptops. I'm not sure what
BMW cigarette lighter sockets are good for, but 10A sounds right. Have a look
in your fuse box. .
Matt O. |
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pete
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Nov 24, 2004 5:40 am Post subject:
Re: Using an inverter to charge lap top. |
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On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 17:17:37 -0800, "Jeff Strickland"
<spamcatcher@yahoo.net> wrote:
| Quote: | I used an inverter to run a lap top for about one year.
|
What was the inverter make and rating then please?
pete |
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pete
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Nov 24, 2004 5:40 am Post subject:
Re: Using an inverter to charge lap top. |
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On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 01:36:21 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
<dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:
| Quote: | Do you mean a mains invertor followed by a normal mains charger?
|
I am not sure how it is done yet Dave. I believe it is just a
contraption that is plugged into the cigar lighter and the other end
plugs into the lap top. I am not buying a lap top until I know this
can be done without causing any problems to he car or the lap top.
| Quote: | It's a bit of a roundabout way to do it. Isn't it possible to buy a proper
car charger for your laptop?
|
This I do not know as most folks seem to connect up using an inverter!
| Quote: | However, you're restricted to about 10 amps from a cigar lighter socket.
This will power a 100 watt mains invertor. As long as the invertor has a
10 amp or less fuse in its plug, the wiring should not come to any harm.
|
Thanks Dave. I thought this would be a straight forward thing to do
but so many folks have given me different opinions that I am being
very cautious.
smicker |
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pete
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Nov 24, 2004 5:40 am Post subject:
Re: Using an inverter to charge lap top. |
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On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 21:43:57 -0500, "Matt O'Toole" <matt@deltanet.com>
wrote:
| Quote: | You need about 75W, or 6-7A at 12V to charge most laptops. I'm not sure what
BMW cigarette lighter sockets are good for, but 10A sounds right. Have a look
in your fuse box. .
|
Yes that is an idea. I am taking the car back tomorrow to have
traction rod bushes fitted so I will ask the mechanic who is good on
BMW's but doesn't use a computer unfortunately.
pete |
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Matt O'Toole
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Nov 24, 2004 5:40 am Post subject:
Re: Using an inverter to charge lap top. |
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pete wrote:
| Quote: | On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 01:36:21 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:
Do you mean a mains invertor followed by a normal mains charger?
I am not sure how it is done yet Dave. I believe it is just a
contraption that is plugged into the cigar lighter and the other end
plugs into the lap top. I am not buying a lap top until I know this
can be done without causing any problems to he car or the lap top.
It's a bit of a roundabout way to do it. Isn't it possible to buy a
proper car charger for your laptop?
This I do not know as most folks seem to connect up using an inverter!
|
Pete -- somehow I missed the inverter part. It may work fine, but you'd be way
better off just buying a proper 12V "auto" adaptor for your laptop. They're a
little more expensive, but a much better solution. You can get one from the
maker of your computer, or even on eBay. Don't mess with generics, though, get
the right one.
An inverter wastes a lot of power and usually makes a loud hum. You'll wind up
converting 12V to 110V, then back again to 18V, or whatever your laptop's input
voltage actually is. Better to get a proper adaptor which converts the 12V
straight to the input voltage, without an extra "thing" in the middle. If
nothing else, it's one less thing to carry around.
Matt O. |
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Badger
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Nov 24, 2004 9:07 am Post subject:
Re: Using an inverter to charge lap top. |
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"pete" <peterturtill@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:hvu7q05lpaps773k2ko409a2i9dd4rihgr@4ax.com...
| Quote: | On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 01:36:21 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:
Do you mean a mains invertor followed by a normal mains charger?
I am not sure how it is done yet Dave. I believe it is just a
contraption that is plugged into the cigar lighter and the other end
plugs into the lap top. I am not buying a lap top until I know this
can be done without causing any problems to he car or the lap top.
It's a bit of a roundabout way to do it. Isn't it possible to buy a proper
car charger for your laptop?
This I do not know as most folks seem to connect up using an inverter!
However, you're restricted to about 10 amps from a cigar lighter socket.
This will power a 100 watt mains invertor. As long as the invertor has a
10 amp or less fuse in its plug, the wiring should not come to any harm.
Thanks Dave. I thought this would be a straight forward thing to do
but so many folks have given me different opinions that I am being
very cautious.
smicker
|
I used an invertor with a laptop mains adaptor for a while, but depending on
the output from the invertor some types of power supply can get upset. A lot
of invertors produce what is known as a "modified sine wave" output, as
opposed to a smooth "full sine wave". It's the cropping of the sine wave
peaks on the modified type that can cause problems with some of the
electronics in some power adaptors, mainly due to heat build-up in the input
stage transformers. To be safe, if you want to use electronic adaptors, get
a full sine wave invertor. I eventually picked up a 12v adaptor lead that
goes straight from the cigarette lighter socket to the laptop, one of these
multi adaptor types that can be set up to the correct voltage, polarity and
plug type and it's been great.
Hope info of some use.
Badger. |
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Ash
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Nov 24, 2004 12:51 pm Post subject:
Re: Using an inverter to charge lap top. |
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"pete" <peterturtill@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:16n7q0dh169hpkhs8eh59t1vplhm9f813a@4ax.com...
| Quote: | I have a 1998 535i V8 and I would like to run an inverter from the
cigarette lighter socket to charge a lap top computer and to be able
to run the laptop from the car battery. I have been told that this
could damage the cars wiring harness while others have said it will
not be a problem to do this and other folks have said it would damage
the lap top. I am in the UK so can anyone else in the uk advise me if
what I want to do is possible and if so what sort of inverter should I
use please?
pete
|
Hi Pete,
I'm in the UK and use a 300W inverter in my 325ci without any problems.
Ashley |
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Grant
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Nov 24, 2004 2:20 pm Post subject:
Re: Using an inverter to charge lap top. |
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"pete" peterturtill@hotmail.com wrote in message
news:hvu7q05lpaps773k2ko409a2i9dd4rihgr@4ax.com
| Quote: |
I am not sure how it is done yet Dave. I believe it is just a
contraption that is plugged into the cigar lighter and the other end
plugs into the lap top. I am not buying a lap top until I know this
can be done without causing any problems to he car or the lap top.
|
http://www.igo.com/Product_Detail.asp?ProductCode=MOB+PS0055-11
I use one of these to power my laptop in the office, car and plane - works
well. £99 from Dixons - got mine for £45 from ebay.
Kensington also do something similar. |
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Frank Kemper
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Nov 24, 2004 5:40 pm Post subject:
Re: Using an inverter to charge lap top. |
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pete <peterturtill@hotmail.com> haute in die Tasten:
| Quote: | I am not sure how it is done yet Dave. I believe it is just a
contraption that is plugged into the cigar lighter and the other end
plugs into the lap top. I am not buying a lap top until I know this
can be done without causing any problems to he car or the lap top.
|
There are three ways to charge a laptop in a car:
1. Buy a 12V-220V converter (110V pobably also available) and plug it into your
cigarette lighter. Plug the AC power adapter into the converter and into the laptop.
Advantage: Universal high voltage source, which can also be used to run an electric
shaver or something like that. Disadvantages: Power output usually is quite low and may
be insufficient to simultaneously power your notebook and charge its battery. And you
have quite a lot of cables and boxes around in your car. I have one, it is too weak to
charge my battery and run the notebook at once and it cost me some 80 Euros.
2. Buy a 12 V car adapter offered as officially certified accessory by the manufacturer
of yur notebook. This will work perfectly, and you will have a warranty that it won't
harm your notebook. Disadvantage: The price often is ridiculous
3. Buy an aftermarket car charger for your notebook. For that you should find out how
many watts your notebook draws from the AC power source in worst case. The power output
of the car charger device should be substantially above that. Do not buy an unit which
is not dedicated for usage with notebooks: it is neccessary that the voltage of the
charger is stabilized and accurate. Advantage: Usually cheaper than OEM accessory, in
most cases fitted with different plugs and a voltage dialer, so it is a kind of an
universal power source. Disadvantage: usually bulkier and you have the chance of mis-
handling it (wrong plug, wrong voltage, not enough watts).
Hope that helps
Frank
--
please replace spam-muelleimer with fk-newsgroups for e-mail contact
Citroen - Made in Trance |
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pete
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:56 pm Post subject:
Re: Using an inverter to charge lap top. |
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On Tue, 23 Nov 2004 23:14:33 -0500, "Matt O'Toole" <matt@deltanet.com>
wrote:
| Quote: | An inverter wastes a lot of power and usually makes a loud hum. You'll wind up
converting 12V to 110V, then back again to 18V, or whatever your laptop's input
voltage actually is. Better to get a proper adaptor which converts the 12V
straight to the input voltage, without an extra "thing" in the middle. If
nothing else, it's one less thing to carry around.
|
Yes, this is what I am looking for. It seems to me to be a much better
way to do the job. Thanks for your post Matt.
smicker |
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pete
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:58 pm Post subject:
Re: Using an inverter to charge lap top. |
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|
On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 07:51:11 -0000, "Ash"
<ashley@NOSPAMwana.NOSPAMNET> wrote:
| Quote: | Hi Pete,
I'm in the UK and use a 300W inverter in my 325ci without any problems.
|
Thanks Ashley but I am now investigating a straight forward hook up as
mentioned by Matt.
pete |
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pete
Guest
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| Posted:
Thu Nov 25, 2004 12:01 am Post subject:
Re: Using an inverter to charge lap top. |
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On Wed, 24 Nov 2004 09:07:18 +0000 (UTC), "Badger"
<brianhattonnospammers@beeeteeeinnit.com> wrote:
| Quote: | I eventually picked up a 12v adaptor lead that
goes straight from the cigarette lighter socket to the laptop, one of these
multi adaptor types that can be set up to the correct voltage, polarity and
plug type and it's been great.
Hope info of some use.
Badger.
|
Yes it has been of great help and I am now changing my idea of how to
charge up a lap top. Thanks for your post.
pete |
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