| Author | Message | ||
     Chris Nuzum (Cnuzum) Member Username: Cnuzum Post Number: 81 Registered: 02-2003 |
I was wondering what you all use to power your laptop computer's while in your Disco's? I bought a power inverter that plugs into the cig. lighter (it doesnt have the option to wire it directly to the battery) but every time I plug it in and turn the key forward, it blows the fuse. I would think this is something wrong with the inverter because it did the same thing in a friend's Discovery. And when this happens, no accessories are even plugged into the inverter. Is there a different power source I can get for my computer, maybe something that I can connect to my computer and plug directly into the cig. lighter, (i.e. bypassing the power inverter). Basically, what system/method are you all using? Thanks. PS, it's a Compaq Presario 700 and I've searched the Compaq and local "circuit city/best buy type stores for power accessories for it, but came up with nothing.Thanks again. | ||
| Steve Sherman (Ssherman) Member Username: Ssherman Post Number: 129 Registered: 11-2002 |
Chris, It sounds like you definitely have a problem with that inverter. I use an auto/air power adapter for my laptop that just plugs into the cigarette lighter. You should be able to find them online, if not I can sell you either the auto/air for $60 or just the auto adapter for $50 plus shipping. Good luck and let me know if I can help. Steve   | ||
| Chris Nuzum (Cnuzum) Member Username: Cnuzum Post Number: 82 Registered: 02-2003 |
Thanks Steve, I'll let you know as soon as I make a decision. I'm assuming the air is for airplanes? | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 608 Registered: 05-2003 |
Chris, When you wrote "every time I plug it in and turn the key forward, it blows the fuse" - is your laptop powered up while you start your truck? I ask because everytime you start your truck, there will be a power surge before it settles down to constant power. This might cause a fuse to blow. It also might have something to do with how many watts your laptop is trying to run with. For example, my laptop needs 90W to operate at full performance. The 12V adapter that I purchased at the same time I purchased my computer has all the different tips to run at full performance in aircraft - but that very same adapter will only run at 70W in my truck. At 70W, my computer will display a warning or a system configuration error, then switches itself over to run in reduced-performance mode. When I run at 70W in reduced performance mode, I can't charge my battery either. There should be some kind of chart on your power inverter (or in it's documentation) that tells you how many watts you can run with it. It should also tell you how many surge watts it can take. When it comes to electronics, I prefer marine products. They're a little more forgiving and give me more room for human error (which I need). The easiest power inverter that I have plugs right into the stock cigar lighter. It allows my computer to run in full performance and charge it's battery at the same time. It is a ProMariner Pro Sport Power Inverter, product # on the box: 79018. It's just a bit bigger than a soda can and will sit in any cup holder. It will run 150 watts (120 watts continuous 12VDC). It handles up to 250 watts power surge. Output from the inverter is 110 VAC modified sign wave. I got it at Boaters World for $17 (if I remember correctly) when it was on sale. It works great and I've never had a problem with it. To recap, I'd check the following: 1) Check disco: how many amps can run through your disco and also your freinds? Mine will blow a fuse if I go over 30 amps in one cigar plug. 2) Check your computer: how many watts it takes for your computer to run in full performance mode? Are you able to change it to a decreased performance mode and then see if it works without blowing your fuse? 3) Check your inverter: how many watts will it run? how many watts surge will it take? If none of those things correct your problem, ask Curtis. The type of sine wave your inverter puts out can make a difference which is one of the reasons alot of "knock off" power inverters aren't so good. I had enough trouble figuring out the watts/amps relationship all by myself. The sine wave difference is still going over my head. I think Curtis knows all about those kind of things. Good Luck, Jamie p.s. Where have you been? It was a pleasant surprise to see your post!  | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1199 Registered: 02-2002 |
Oh god don't use an inverter. For starters you'll have too much junk in the vehicle. Radio shack sells a $59 laptop power supply that plugs intp the cigy lighter, and lets you choose 12V to 29V in steps of 1V, and it comes with a bunch of adapter plugs and you can reverse polarity. Get one and be done with it. No need to use the 110V transformer that you still have to use with the inverter. Dean | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 609 Registered: 05-2003 |
Here is a link to what I have: http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=100 51&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&productId=13078869 At $17.00 sale price, I sure got a better deal than I thought! | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 610 Registered: 05-2003 |
Chris, The 12V power supply that I have looks similar to the pics Steve posted - but, mine is just a tiny little thing, just a bit bigger than a credit card. It's made by Targus, plugs directly into 12V plug on one end, the other end of the cord plugs into my computer. This has all the aircraft adapters. Runs at 70W in my truck. I do not use this power supply with my inverter. When use my cupholder inverter, I use my regular AC home plug cord. It plugs into the top of the inverter. The inverter sits steady in my cupholder, the 12v end of the inverter plugs in the stock cigar plug just behind the cupholder. Computer runs and charges in full performance mode. | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1200 Registered: 02-2002 |
That's a nice inverter Jaime! Might have to get one like that next time. Chris - this is the power supply from Radio Shack, (held on with a purple bungee).  Dean | ||
| Steve Cooper (Scrover) Senior Member Username: Scrover Post Number: 616 Registered: 09-2002 |
go to ebay type in "compaq 700 auto" 18 DC adapters for 14.99 each SC | ||
| Chris Nuzum (Cnuzum) Member Username: Cnuzum Post Number: 83 Registered: 02-2003 |
Thanks everyone, I definately have alot to look into now. Jamie, school has been occupying ALL of my time lately. Are you going to the trail ride on the weekend of Jan. 16th? John Campbell and Brent Fox emailed me and said they are going. I have tried several methods for hooking up the inverter, (starting the car and plugging it in to the cigar lighter, plugging it in and then starting the car, neither time did I have anything plugged into the inverter. Both times the fuse blew.) Thanks everyone for the suggestions and links. Chris Nuzum | ||
| Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d Post Number: 1202 Registered: 02-2002 |
Chris, one thing with the laptop: If its not fully charged, you get a much higher start current, because its recharging AND powering at the same time. If you recharge it as much as possible before a trip, you may have better luck. Dean | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 484 Registered: 11-2002 |
Buy and thinkpad and plug it right into 12V , done , end of story... Kyle "Blow me" | ||
| Chris Nuzum (Cnuzum) Member Username: Cnuzum Post Number: 84 Registered: 02-2003 |
I have come to the conclusion that my inverter is messed up. I took the battery out of my laptop and tried it that way, (it would drawl less power since it wouldnt be charging the battery right?) Reguardless, I;m going to look into a different source of powering the computer. Thanks again. Finished messing with this. | ||
| Tyler kinghorn (Flippedrover) New Member Username: Flippedrover Post Number: 13 Registered: 12-2003 |
I guess I'm just still living in the dark ages with my 90 and good ole map books. ;-) | ||
| han chung (Hanchung) Member Username: Hanchung Post Number: 144 Registered: 10-2002 |
damn... thinkpad comes w/ 12v plug? | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 487 Registered: 11-2002 |
Tp doesnt come with a 12V plug but its easy enough to make one for it and either hard wire or use the Cigg lighter.. Kyle "Blow me" | ||
| Justin Krawitz (Neveroverrover) New Member Username: Neveroverrover Post Number: 8 Registered: 12-2003 |
I am running a PowerBook Titanium 17" with the auto-air adaptor from Apple and have no problems at all. I can also switch to my invertor (in an emergency) with a regular wall plug if need be but I can tell you as a "techno-bum" that.... I have seen several laptops/car-puters die as a result of "unfiltered" power coming from said source. The best possible scenario would be to setup and hardwire and invertor and then connect a small APC unit to the invertor then laptop into the APC. The power from an invertor can have too much ripple and fluxuating DC voltage. When put into the machine can cause something to blow. The APC takes incoming AC rectifies it , charges the batteries, and then pulls DC off batteries while reosilating the 115AC into clean power. The easiest is to get a auto/air adaptor for your model laptop or go the route above. Rovers I am learning, technology I know... Hope this helps. Kyle, your seem very set on your TP have you watched a DVD on a 17" wide screen while camping? Justin K. Hope this helps some. | ||
| Ron Brown (Ron) Senior Member Username: Ron Post Number: 649 Registered: 04-2001 |
my thinkpad is 16v | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 613 Registered: 05-2003 |
Justin, I've got a very small Mobile Notebook Travel Surge Protector made by Belkin (model# F5C791.C6) I've never used it, maybe I should start taking it with me? Do you know if this would help filter the power? Thanks for the info in your post! Jamie | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 488 Registered: 11-2002 |
Well for starters Justin (Jason) whichever we are calling you today. When camping I dont really find the need to watch Video... Secondly , dont get me started on a freaking MAC.. "Blow me" | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 615 Registered: 05-2003 |
Chris, Maybe. I'm waiting to get GPS coordinates from Brent when he gets back home. I want to get out there more, so I'm working on hooking up with a local jeep club that has and does regularly scheduled and frequent trail rides. They will allow my big, fat, and heavy rover go with them!! Jamie | ||
| Justin Krawitz (Neveroverrover) New Member Username: Neveroverrover Post Number: 9 Registered: 12-2003 |
Jamie, I am not sure about you Belkin product. Your would have to check the specifications on it to see what it can filter. A small APC is really the best solution. Kyle, Jason? I'm confused... Justin K. | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 489 Registered: 11-2002 |
Jason , dont be a moron.... This ID is getting banned too... Kyle "Blow me" | ||
| Sean Arney (Seana) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Seana Post Number: 82 Registered: 05-2003 |
Guys, as Ali once pointed out to me - the laptop is DC to begin with. Putting an inverter in to invert from DC to AC, then using your "Power supply" which is an ACto DC is kind of silly don't you think? Find a "car adapter" - which is a straight DC plug for your laptop. I have struggled for so long with inverters I cant even begin to tell you the woes...get the straight DC adapter - 100$ | ||
| Victor (Vabiro) Member Username: Vabiro Post Number: 121 Registered: 10-2003 |
Chris, Sean has a point. It does clutter things up a bit. More things to fly around when you're off road too. I have a Thinkpad and use a Targus adapter. (http://www.targus.com/us/accessories_power.asp) it works great, but is a bit expensive. However it can be used with a variety of adaptors that will power everything from PDAs to cell phones in your car or on an aircraft. Victor | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 650 Registered: 05-2003 |
Since reading Justin's informative post, I've started to use my laptop surge protector. Turns out that I should have been using it all along - duh! Thankful I found out before something went wrong. If anyone else needs one: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=20147 3&pcount=&Product_Id=132013 Thanks for the continuing education!! Jamie |
