12 hour drive - need more power cap'in
- Thread starter Rwac
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I use a 2 into 1 cigarette lighter converter in my car no problem. The Satnav uses so little power, less than 1amp at 12V, The max 'normal' load on a cigarette lighter socket is 15-20 amps or so. So thats plenty for a 150watt invertor which should be enough to power most laptops.
I've got a 300W invertor, it can either run in 150W mode using the cigarette lighter or 300W mode but that requires direct connection to the car battery.
Just check what power the Mac needs. If its 150W or less then your onto a winner, Invertor and a 2-1 convertor for your cigarette socket. If the mac needs > 300W, then you'll need to get the invertor wired directly into the car's power systems (properly fused etc)
I've got a 300W invertor, it can either run in 150W mode using the cigarette lighter or 300W mode but that requires direct connection to the car battery.
Just check what power the Mac needs. If its 150W or less then your onto a winner, Invertor and a 2-1 convertor for your cigarette socket. If the mac needs > 300W, then you'll need to get the invertor wired directly into the car's power systems (properly fused etc)
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That bloke should have had this kit in his canoe !
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Actually most car cig lighter sockets are only safe up to 10A. Even newer cars that have accessory sockets in the back will have "10A MAX" on the cover.
The only truly safe way to connect an inverter is to wire it direct to the battery, with an ignition controled relay to switch it on to make sure you don't end up with a flat battery.
The only truly safe way to connect an inverter is to wire it direct to the battery, with an ignition controled relay to switch it on to make sure you don't end up with a flat battery.
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Would it not be safer and more useful in general to get another battery?
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Sorry about earlier, I couldn't resist. A thought though, the inside of your car is going to be glowing when it is night. You will be stared at by the Boys in Blue ('cos I think it is/was an offence to drive with the interior light on, as it will compromise your vision) other motorists & thieves after your kit. Be aware when you park up in the services.
Also if you are unfortunate enough to have the passenger air bag go off for whatever reason, I dread to think of the consequences of having a laptop between it & your passenger.
Also if you are unfortunate enough to have the passenger air bag go off for whatever reason, I dread to think of the consequences of having a laptop between it & your passenger.
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if you get a 150w inverter and a cheap 12v, 12ah sla battery - charge the battery (a lot of car bat chargers have an option/capability to charge SLA's) hook the inverter upto the battery then you could get signifigant run time, without the lighter socket worry.
then again, even my fire-breathing laptop only draws about 100w from ac side when you really thrash it, it idles at more like 30w ac. which, assumign an 80% efficient inverter leads to... 125w (10 amp) load and 37.5 (3 amp) idle/film playing via the lighter socket - which is fine.
get the socket splitter and the 150w inverter. avoid playing intense 3d games/thrashing the cpu and it will be fine.
then again, even my fire-breathing laptop only draws about 100w from ac side when you really thrash it, it idles at more like 30w ac. which, assumign an 80% efficient inverter leads to... 125w (10 amp) load and 37.5 (3 amp) idle/film playing via the lighter socket - which is fine.
get the socket splitter and the 150w inverter. avoid playing intense 3d games/thrashing the cpu and it will be fine.