User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 9:17:40 AM EDT
[#1]
You should be able to pick up a 400W compact model nearly anywhere, even Wal-Mart for about $25.
I just bought a couple of Xantrex 1000W constant, 2000W surge inverters at Costco for $29 each. They started out at $70. |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 9:20:15 AM EDT
[#2]
Someone is going to call me a liar, but at one time I had a laptop that I could run directly off of the DC from the car.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 9:20:19 AM EDT
[#3]
cheap walmart inverters work fine for low amp devices like laptops.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 9:21:07 AM EDT
[#4]
Get the size that will power your laptop. My laptop required 130W so I got a 150W version. Works well in the car and on a plane.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 9:21:16 AM EDT
[#5]
Google "power inverters"
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 9:25:18 AM EDT
[#6]
... I have been working on a project here the last few days.
Being that this IS Florida and we have lots of sun, I have made a parabolic reflector that I intend to use to either heat a liquid to drive a small home made steam turbine, or a sterling engine to power an alternator to produce DC current to charge battery banks.. or run through inverters back to the grid and use the grid for storage. i would love to be able to power my home off the grid using a system such as this. The expense of the inverters were my primary concern. |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 9:27:35 AM EDT
[#7]
Why not just buy a DC power adapter for your laptop?
A power cube is just converting AC to DC anyway.... |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 9:32:44 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
Why not just buy a DC power adapter for your laptop? A power cube is just converting AC to DC anyway.... Can they turn 12v DC into 15v DC? ETA: I mean without changing it to AC and then back... I found this accessory for mine: http://www.laptoptraveller.com/auto-air-adapter-aa-b20.html |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 9:33:34 AM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
Why not just buy a DC power adapter for your laptop? A power cube is just converting AC to DC anyway.... Nevermind |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 9:35:51 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Google "power inverters" I have most of them do not have any consumer reviews , that's why I resort to asking questions of a group of people I tend to listen to their experiences |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 9:40:15 AM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
Why not just buy a DC power adapter for your laptop? A power cube is just converting AC to DC anyway.... A car cord for a specific laptop is usually more expensive than a basic 200W inverter, and you can use the inverter to do more stuff. I've used my inverter for laptops, running a neighbor's nebulizer during a power failure, charging multiple devices that didn't have car cords, etc... |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 9:41:03 AM EDT
[#12]
Here's my question: Does an AC inverter running a 15v/5a laptop draw any more off the battery than a "direct" DC adapter? Just thinking that if I'm going to potentially be running mine off my vehicle battery for hours on end, which one would be more efficient, and allow me to start the car?
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 9:43:20 AM EDT
[#13]
I've used this APC for two years solid with no problems whatsoever. There was one guy who was complaining that his Dell 90w power adapter would shut it off, but I have 90w and 110w Dell adapters and they run flawlessly. It even runs my older HP 150w adapter and 17" notebook just fine. It's only $25, and worth at least twice as much in my opinion. APC knows power.
http://www.amazon.com/APC-PNOTEAC150-150-Watt-Inverter/dp/B000C0MGO6 |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 9:49:03 AM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
... I have been working on a project here the last few days. Being that this IS Florida and we have lots of sun, I have made a parabolic reflector that I intend to use to either heat a liquid to drive a small home made steam turbine, or a sterling engine to power an alternator to produce DC current to charge battery banks.. or run through inverters back to the grid and use the grid for storage. i would love to be able to power my home off the grid using a system such as this. The expense of the inverters were my primary concern. There are companies out there selling DC home appliances, and many many folks rolling their own. AC is good for long-distance transmission, and industrial motors, but for strictly home use, DC is better. |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 9:53:11 AM EDT
[#15]
Quoted: Here's my question: Does an AC inverter running a 15v/5a laptop draw any more off the battery than a "direct" DC adapter? Yes, it will. Some power is wasted in the process of converting 12 volts DC to 120 volts AC, and more power is wasted in the process of converting 120 volts AC to whatever voltage your laptop requires. This isn't much of a concern if you're always running the vehicle's engine while using the laptop (or are only briefly using the laptop with the engine turned off). DC to DC laptop power supplies aren't terribly expensive - Here's one from Deal Extreme for under 12 bucks. |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 10:10:17 AM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
I've used this APC for two years solid with no problems whatsoever. There was one guy who was complaining that his Dell 90w power adapter would shut it off, but I have 90w and 110w Dell adapters and they run flawlessly. It even runs my older HP 150w adapter and 17" notebook just fine. It's only $25, and worth at least twice as much in my opinion. APC knows power. http://www.amazon.com/APC-PNOTEAC150-150-Watt-Inverter/dp/B000C0MGO6 wow yes that does look good and you are definitely right about APC great price too |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 10:12:11 AM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:
cheap walmart inverters work fine for low amp devices like laptops. agreed. I have used the 175 watt that plugs into the power outlet to run my laptop. |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 10:16:51 AM EDT
[#18]
I have a Sigma I think is the brand name.
I use it for storm chasing and have for 5 years now. Bought it at Microcenter. It works fine to power my laptop, gps, and charge camcorder batteries all at once. It is about the size of a paperback book and is easy to tote around. If I remember correctly it is 175 watt. |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 10:17:29 AM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:
Someone is going to call me a liar, but at one time I had a laptop that I could run directly off of the DC from the car. My iGo does that. |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 10:18:07 AM EDT
[#20]
Inverters are cheap as dirt, and you can find them all over the place. Wal-mart, Sam's, Costco, etc.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 11/20/2008 10:51:22 AM EDT
[#21]
Most of the solutions stated here will work unless you have like a high end Dell XPS or gaming HP type laptop.
Then you'll just need an inverter rated for more juice. Past about 500w, i think, is when they start needing to be hard wired. The little ones are just cigarette plug affairs. |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
