Question about Power

[White Rabbit]

Hi Guys.

I just bought a Jump Start 1900 from Super cheap auto ($180 ouch) ,and I wondering if anyone has has ever used an inverter attached to one of the things in order to run 240v appliances? I'd like to run my laptop and my ETX telescope at the same time. Can this be done safely?

Thanks
WR

[White Rabbit]

Oh yeah, and can anyone tell me how to work out the amp hours on this thing as it doesn't say anything other than it has 1900amps. I assume it's 19 amp hours but I'm not sure.

[Dennis]

Hi WR

I once used an inverter running off my car battery (via the lighter socket) to power my IBM Notebook computer and it survived the experience. I restricted the usage to around a couple of hours just to make sure the car would start...

Cheers

Dennis

[White Rabbit]

Thanks for the info and very quick response. :thumbsup:

[seeker372011]

Hi White Rabbit and welcome to IIS

a jump starter doesnt have enough grunt to power your laptop for very long

You are better off with the highest capacity gel battery you can afford (and carry, these things are heavy!!)

about a $100 so a bit more than a jump starter but well worth it

[seeker372011]

and check out this for everything you need to know about batteries

http://www.nexstarsite.com/download/Batteries.pdf

[acropolite]

Inverter loads are basically mental arithmetic. If your laptop load is say 60 watts through the inverter the power used will be around 10-20% more, say 70 watts, divide that by 12 (approximation only) to get the current drawn in this example roughly 6 amps. If you have an 18 hour battery you could expect just under 3 hours. Battery capacities are usually rated at the 10 hour rate, e.g. a 7 amp hour battery will deliver .7 amps for 10 hours, draw 7 amps and you will get significantly less than 1 hour.

[Dennis]

Thanks for the link. :thumbsup:

I learned a lot but also enjoyed reading the article, it is so well and clearly written.

Cheers

Dennis

[White Rabbit]

Thanks Guys.

I've downloaded the pdf and will read it later on, thanks very much.

Sandy