Charging a laptop on the hoof.

GMJ

GMJ

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We don't have an inverter in the MH so I need to be able to charge my laptop when we are driving, for when we are away from an EHU for more than a day.

Does anyone have a recommendation on a gizmo that can plug into the cigarette lighter and do this? The laptop is an Acer Aspire 3 btw.

Thanks
 
Not sure if you can get one as the laptop is 19 volts. Well the chargers run off of a 240 volt mains and produce 19 volts.

The only other option is an inverter. Not sure if there is one that runs off of a cigar lighter socket

So it looks to me like an inverter is the only option …
 
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Now there are some very certain answers there but I don't think going from 12v to 240v and back down to 19v is very efficient.
Depending how long your laptop battery lasts it may charge you up whilst driving but an inverter will soon eat into your leisure battery if off EHU.
Just as easy and cheaper is the 12v to 19v booster like this one. There are plenty around and just need to make sure they have the correct tip.
 
Webby said:
Now there are some very certain answers there but I don't think going from 12v to 240v and back down to 19v is very efficient.
Depending how long your laptop battery lasts it may charge you up whilst driving but an inverter will soon eat into your leisure battery if off EHU.
Just as easy and cheaper is the 12v to 19v booster like this one. There are plenty around and just need to make sure they have the correct tip.
Click to expand...

I contacted a computer place with my model number etc and they recommended a product stating that the plug size is...
  • Plug Size: 3.0mm X 1.1mm
so at least that'll help me refine my search.

That one you linked too has a 3mm x 1.1mm plug however my laptop says input of 2.75A. Will it be OK at the stated 4,74A on this product do you think?
 
GMJ said:
I contacted a computer place with my model number etc and they recommended a product stating that the plug size is...
  • Plug Size: 3.0mm X 1.1mm
so at least that'll help me refine my search.

That one you linked too has a 3mm x 1.1mm plug however my laptop says input of 2.75A. Will it be OK at the stated 4,74A on this product do you think?
Click to expand...
Maybe the computor place would be able to advise you better…..
 
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I just thought the inverter would give you other options as well, the 2000w was irrelevant for your laptop as the laptop would only draw well under 150 watts which would be the limit for the cigar lighter plug.
This Acer charger gets good reviews and is discounted ............
www.buy-a-charger.co.uk

65W Acer Aspire R13 R7-371T Car Charger DC Adapter

65W Acer Aspire R13 R7-371T Car Charger DC Adapter-GBP 18 - Power Supply Cord Charger AC Adapter for Laptop Computer Notebook
www.buy-a-charger.co.uk www.buy-a-charger.co.uk
 
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There are plenty of 12 volt laptop chargers online. They come with a range of adaptors to suit various makes of laptop. if there is not one in the kit that is correct, they can be bought separately online.
 
I’ve always bought the manufacturer’s official car charger for each specific laptop I’ve owned and never had a problem but I’m sure generic brands probably work too. Obviously best to switch the laptop off before charging or the 12v will likely only maintain the current battery level rather than increase it, depending what work the laptop is doing.
 
You can generally get 12v adapters for most laptops - many are cheap chinese but you can get business class ones.
Problem is, some laptops can be quite power hungry and need 100W or more which at 12v is roughly 10a (including losses in heat and conversion) - and 12v sockets may well be rated at 10A but truthfully are woeful at high current for long periods and I've seen many many melt - no fires - but close enough to flag up as issues. (caused by high resistance in the small contact area of the live terminal, not helped if there is any dirt/corrosion inside the socket. Remember what the original use of the socket was.....!

Same issue running through a a small inverter via the same socket.

I've converted our high current 12v plugs & sockets to Hella style - these cope better with high current loads as they "clip" in more securely and the resistance (ergo heat) is lower.

But also I now run Surface Pro & Surface laptop which you can charge at 3.12A via 12v socket and also USB-C which give more options.

So just because you can charge off 12v cigarette socket doesn't mean its a wise idea.....
 
Read the title of thread as "charging laptop on the ROOF" I know you lot are mad (clever) but that sounded really silly.
 
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