Quote:
Originally Posted by Starkler
I expect not. Using an inverter you are adding an extra conversion stage where energy efficiency is lost.
12v > 240v > laptop voltage.
Vs
12v > laptop voltage
FWIW Last year at Snake Valley I flattened my car battery over 2 nights just running my scope from the inverter via a 12v power supply, and about 3 hrs of laptop usage, to the point where I didnt have enough juice to crank over the diesel.  |
I agree it will consumes more current from the battery, but I wouldn't expect it to be that much more - I reckon half an amp at most. We can test at camp if anyone has a DC/DC converter - I have a 12V gel battery with a 10A meter in series for monitoring my dew heater consumption.
This is it - I only have to run the lappie - at minimal use (just Stellarium ticking over with a dull screen). If I had to power anything else - eg. dew heating, mount - I'd think twice about using my car battery.