12volt INVERTER

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tedadder

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Hi
Can anybody help in the selection of a inverter, for use on board to run a laptop computer, which will be used mainly to back up the existing chart plotter. The computers power reqiurements being input 230v @1.2amps output 19v @ 4.5amps
 
Dont use an inverter. Go to Maplins and buy a 12 volt laptop power supply. They do a range that output your laptops correct voltage, directly from a 12 volt socket. This is one of several types available, and will be far more efficient than an inverter used to power a transformer power supply.
 
It is still a completely wrong use for an inverter. If you have 12 volts DC and want 19volts DC why step the 12volts up to 230 volts, converted to AC, then down again to 19 volts rectified back to DC, when you can buy a car laptop adapter to do the job in one go?
 
Re Norman E
It may be "completely wrong use for an inverter" but in the same way that your suggestion of a "car laptop adapter" is not an inverter which what the OP specified. Does he want to run other mains devices?
I accept the ineficiency of an inverter for 'low voltage' work as a trade off for its versitility to run 230v appliances.
 
My inverter runs a number of low energy mains lights as well as the laptop. Lots of light for only a little power compared to the 12v glow worms. An 8w LE lamp provides the equivalent of 60w tungsten and even taking into account the inefficiency of the inverter, it's comparable in power consumption.
After experimenting with one lamp last season, I am fitting a few more sockets in lockers to allow us more freedom in positioning the lamps.

The power consumption is quoted for the laptop when it is charging the batteries - in reality, it uses a lot less, particularly if you take the batteries out when they are charged. It then only supplies enough for the operation of the PC.

Sorry, I cant remember the name of the inverter but it is a good quality pure sine wave type.

Cheers
 
I now use the car laptop converter....much easier & safer . Inverter (1800w) is still a good piece of kit to have though for the odd power tool job.
 
Just one wee question - If you take out the laptop battery, does it fire up using the boat's supply direct?(may depend on charge state of battery or alternator volts)
My old IBM does but the Tosh and Compaq don't. In any event, taking out the battery will save charging amps...
 
I bought an inverter from Maplins I think it was 800w for about £40 (on offer) I now run lots of 240v bits of gear from it including the laptop via the mains charger. I agree with the comment about using 240v low energy bulbs.

My only regret is that I did'nt get a big enough unit to run a domestic vacuum cleaner off.

Nick
 
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