Inverter would reduce your efficiency and therefore draw more power than really needed. This is because you would be converting DC to AC on the inverter then back to DC via your laptop power adapter. A direct DC to DC converter would be the better option. I have not used one so am not sure which brand is good.
I've been using a Kerio for a while Lester and it does a good job,but I only use it intermittently. I just don't think they are up to prolonged use unfortunately. Maybe Jaycar have something similar but is more robust.
I don't like inverters for the efficiency reasons. Although they get warm enough to be effective dew removers from eyepieces. But then the laptop fan is usually good enough for that I suppose
I'm not sure if there's a difference in quality. I bought mine about 3 or 4 years ago, still going strong. I think it was about $120 but can't remember clearly.
Perhaps you have some other problem with the power setup of your equipment which is frying the converters? Might be worth investigating before you blow another, or an inverter.
The only alternative to the above which I can think of is to have multiple laptop batteries. More costly and less adaptable.
I've been using a Kerio for a while Lester and it does a good job,but I only use it intermittently. I just don't think they are up to prolonged use unfortunately. Maybe Jaycar have something similar but is more robust.
Correct - Jaycar have a unit designed for laptops. 12v to the voltage your laptop needs and a variety of plugs depending on your lappy's connection. The good thing is the price - about $35
I have been running my power supply straight from a car battery that is inside the observatory and is trickled charged by a solar panel, which keeps the battery fully charged.
My DELL INSPIRON 5100 2.8Gig laptop requires 20V DC 4.50A / 90W , I've 3 LiIon battery packs (that are about 4 years old now and I charge up and swap over regularly).
I've just bought a new spare LiIon battery pack off a webshop on Ebay (90 AUD incl shipping beats 280 AUD from a local shop for exactly the same product ... If I can find someone who stocks one that is.)
I have been looking and think something like http://cgi.ebay.com/Car-Adapter-Fits...2em118Q2el1247 which I am considering buying for my laptop might a goer .... to plug into one of my 4 x 12VDC accessory sockets in the trusty ol' Pajero ,or into one of the two 12VDC accessory sockets on my powertank / jumpstarter pack.
Where I use my gear , there is no access to 220VAC mains and I don't fancy also carting my camping generator about too ....
My lappie needs 15v so plan to use three 6v lead-acids in series with a LDO regulator, figured it would work out cheaper than a 12v and a DC-DC.
Might be viable to others needing 18-20v supply?
I am unfortunate enough to have a laptop that is 18.5 volts & I wasn't game to run it on any other voltage (Those Jaycar converters cater for everything but 18.5)
I'm happily using a 240 v inverter off a 40 ah battery with out a hitch, I have never had I battery run out of power
If the need were to arise I could probably run the coffee maker out there in the field too!
I had a look at the Jaycar range and then the Targus range and got a bit confused with my laptop rated at 4.7amps and some power supplies only rated in watts.
So did a search for acer power adaptors and came across Global Batteries that sell a 12volt DC input and 18-20 volt output meant for my Acer Aspire going for $27.61 plus postage.
I have a t41, I went to Dick Smith and they have a DC/DC adaptor kit. It comes in a small case and has a set of replaceable fuses so you can match the output required for the laptop. It also has a number of plugs to suit various models.
It has a male ciggie plug. I use this with a 26 AH deep cycle battery from Jaycar. The other night i powered my laptop and SBIG cooled camera from around 10 pm until around 5 am the next morning. 7 hours continuous use guiding by running CCDSOFT, occasional forays into maxim to stack and view my data and running a cooled camera is pretty good.
This is much more efficient than running off an inverter. The unit was a bit expensive at 90 bucks but does a great job.
Thats the one I was looking at for my Dell Paul. It was the only one that supplied that 3 pin connector for the older models.
Bill
Hi Bill,
If this is the one you are talking about then I can recommend it. Maybe there are better/cheaper solutions but this works well for me; I have had it for about 6 months.
You can see the various adaptor plugs and fuses for various laptops.
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