Charging a Laptop.

Carmel2

Carmel2

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Hi,

I would like to charge our laptop via the 12V cigarette lighter connecting via USB lead, is anyone doing this? I have looked online but the array of what's on offer is bewildering, anyone have any recommendations?
 
I got a selectable, multi-voltage charger from Maplins quite cheaply - sub £20, it also has a 5 Volt USB socket for phones, Kindles, etc.
 
I doubt very much you'll be able to charge via the USB port - it's not what they're designed to do (they typically provide 5v to power accessories). What you can do is use one of the many 12v DC/DC convertors that you'll find in maplins or on Amazon. Just get the correct connector and ensure the output of the convertor matches the input required, in terms of volts (ie 19v) and can deliver the required current. I would also check that the polarity on the connector is correct - just use a multimeter to check the polarity of the output of your mains adaptor and ensure that the DC/DC convertor is the same.

Neil
 
Carmel2 said:
Hi,

I would like to charge our laptop via the 12V cigarette lighter connecting via USB lead, is anyone doing this? I have looked online but the array of what's on offer is bewildering, anyone have any recommendations?
Click to expand...

Recharging a laptop via the usb port is not possible.

You need a dedicated 12v charger which replaces the ac transformer.

I've used these transformers for the last 10 years on a variety of different laptops. You need to look at the output voltage of your current AC charger and match that (fortunately most transformers have adjustable voltages and, most importantly, a tip that fits precisely to your computer input.
It's impossible to give any precise advice without knowing the exact model details of your computer.
Some early 2000 Dell laptops would only recharge their batteries on the transformers.
You could go to Maplins, pay through the nose for some apocryphal advice, or search on the internet

this probably gives you the best choice but lacks much of the information that you'll need to get precisely the correct charger.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...op+chargers&rh=i:aps,k:in-car+laptop+chargers

The MSI mini - using a 20v netbook tip works off nearly any tranformer. The Lenovo E523 has to have a specialised dedicated charger.
 
Last edited:
Charging a laptop via USB is absolutely not possible.

There are many cigarette-lighter adapters that will charge a laptop but there are four things you need to check carefully:

1. It must be capable of supplying or being switched to 19v (most have a switch to select the output voltage).

2. It must be capable of supplying at least the same output current as your existing charger, and that's likely to be nearer 6 Amps than the 1.7A you mention (that's the input current I think).

3. It must come with the right connector for your laptop. Since it's custom-built (I have a PCS laptop too) you might have problems there. No, they're not all the same - far from it!

4. It must be possible to set the correct polarity at the laptop plug. Your existing adapter will show you the correct polarity (and yes, they all vary).

You might want to try calling PCS (you can call their 0844 number from Skype) or emailing them, they can probably help you identify the correct plug for your laptop, they may even be able to sell you a suitable 12v charger.
 
Tony Cross said:
Charging a laptop via USB is absolutely not possible.

There are many cigarette-lighter adapters that will charge a laptop but there are four things you need to check carefully:

1. It must be capable of supplying or being switched to 19v (most have a switch to select the output voltage).

2. It must be capable of supplying at least the same output current as your existing charger, and that's likely to be nearer 6 Amps than the 1.7A you mention (that's the input current I think).

3. It must come with the right connector for your laptop. Since it's custom-built (I have a PCS laptop too) you might have problems there. No, they're not all the same - far from it!

4. It must be possible to set the correct polarity at the laptop plug. Your existing adapter will show you the correct polarity (and yes, they all vary).

You might want to try calling PCS (you can call their 0844 number from Skype) or emailing them, they can probably help you identify the correct plug for your laptop, they may even be able to sell you a suitable 12v charger.
Click to expand...

Therein lies the rub Tony. The charger is a Chicony one. I have tried 2 of these universal car chargers and none have the right fitting. PCS did not want to know and said we don't do them, you'll have to look elsewhere. Hence going down the USB route, which is now looking like a dead end....Back to the drawing board me thinks.
 
Carmel2 said:
Therein lies the rub Tony. The charger is a Chicony one. I have tried 2 of these universal car chargers and none have the right fitting. PCS did not want to know and said we don't do them, you'll have to look elsewhere. Hence going down the USB route, which is now looking like a dead end....Back to the drawing board me thinks.
Click to expand...

You may have the same problem I do. My laptop is an HP Probook 4310. It has a charging plug that is 8 mm diameter with a tiny central positive connection. I have yet to find a 12 volt charger that has a plug like that, and so far have not even found a separate plug that I could connect to my existing charger.
 
I suppose the reason why laptop manufacturers all use and regularly change the plugs on their power adapters is because the profit on a replacement unit is huge and they don't what to hand it to the after-market. I managed to get a DC/DC converter that has a plug for my current Dell laptop. Nevertheless, the Dell has clever software that immediately recognizes the adapter and claims it to be inadequate. I does however charge the battery.
I have tried the inverter route too, but my 350 Watt inverter has so much noise on it that it drives the mouse pad crazy, so I can only charge the battery with the laptop switched off.
 
vyv_cox said:
You may have the same problem I do. My laptop is an HP Probook 4310. It has a charging plug that is 8 mm diameter with a tiny central positive connection. I have yet to find a 12 volt charger that has a plug like that, and so far have not even found a separate plug that I could connect to my existing charger.
Click to expand...

Vyv...re: my PM on this from last year: did you check out the Nikkai A33HU from maplin when you got back to the UK? The included 7.4mm adapter (labelled "k") works for my HP dm1
 
vyv_cox said:
You may have the same problem I do. My laptop is an HP Probook 4310. It has a charging plug that is 8 mm diameter with a tiny central positive connection. I have yet to find a 12 volt charger that has a plug like that, and so far have not even found a separate plug that I could connect to my existing charger.
Click to expand...

I have a 12v transformer with the correct connector and the centre pin. This works with my son's Dell, which uses the same connector, but won't work with my HP which detects that it is a non-HP power supply and refuses to charge.

I believe that there is a way round this by soldering a capacitor across the centre pin or something but I can't be bothered.

Richard
 
Carmel2 said:
Hi,

I would like to charge our laptop via the 12V cigarette lighter connecting via USB lead, is anyone doing this? I have looked online but the array of what's on offer is bewildering, anyone have any recommendations?
Click to expand...

Charge our Toshiba laptop with a 12v cigarette lighter connector charger bought from Amazon for about £12. Job done.

Unlike the our Tosbiba, with a universal in 19v input socket, our HP laptop has a to-type input socket so modified the output line from another 12v cigarette lighter connector charger to fit the HP input socket. Again job done.

Found transformers too noisy to charge whilst using the computer but am able to charge the computer battery when not using the laptop so all options covered for less than £30.
 
RAI said:
...inverter has so much noise on it that it drives the mouse pad crazy, so I can only charge the battery with the laptop switched off.
Click to expand...

Glad I read that as I see the same symptom when charging a netbook from the generator. Sticking a USB mouse in sorts it though, and the mouse pad is happy with the inverter supply (pre Xantrex Heart Freedom 20 c. 2kw)
 
nortada said:
Charge our Toshiba laptop with a 12v cigarette lighter connector charger bought from Amazon for about £12. Job done.

Unlike the our Tosbiba, with a universal in 19v input socket, our HP laptop has a to-type input socket so modified the output line from another 12v cigarette lighter connector charger to fit the HP input socket. Again job done.

Found transformers too noisy to charge whilst using the computer but am able to charge the computer battery when not using the laptop so all options covered for less than £30.
Click to expand...

All well and good if you can lay your hand on the right connection, which I can't. I have contacted Chicony the makers of the power pack to see if they supply to any other off the shelf makes, maybe Vyv you could try the same.
 
Carmel2,
If you have a vernier handy :) could you measure the connector you need and post the sizes? I have a fair collection from 2 or 3 12v universal chargers
 
Carmel2 said:
Hi,

I would like to charge our laptop via the 12V cigarette lighter connecting via USB lead, is anyone doing this? I have looked online but the array of what's on offer is bewildering, anyone have any recommendations?
Click to expand...

I would question this. Just get the correct cigar lighter adaptor for the job which will give the required 17/19volts that most laptops require and allow you to enjoy full facilities when plugged in. Such adaptors can be found on line at Amazon ..Maplins etc Beware that if you have a Dell multi pin connection these might not connect.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trust-Compa...1-fkmr0&keywords=cigar+lighter+laptop+adaptor


http://www.maplin.co.uk/72w-12v-in-car-in-air-laptop-adaptor-with-usb-charging-socket-387730
 
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