Invertor - PC Power problems

[branko]

Would you suggest me what to do regarding this problem: I have Raymarine Instruments and PC Laptop with Raymarine navigational software. When the boat is on shore power with motor and invertor switch off - everithing is working OK. When I switch on Invertor and start to fill Laptop via Invertor (motor stopped)- everithing is OK too,.......but when I start engine and invertor and try to fill Laptop Instruments start to oscilating and " became crazy".

 

[fireball]

Sounds like your getting a dirty signal into your invertor and not a very good 240v wave out the other side ...
What invertor have you got? is it a pure or stepped sinewave?

 

[branko]

I shell be on boat for weekend and will check and send info.Thanks.

 

[slavkod]

Hi Branko,

check if it is pure sine wave inverter or quasy. I have simillar configuration and do not have any problems.

Slavko

 

[branko]

Thanks Slavko, I shell check !

 

[wishbone]

I bought a 12v inverta to 15v for my toshsat laptop from maplin. it dose a range of output voltages from 12v input via cigar socket. also a 24v version....has worked fine since fitted..I should think it has smoothing caps as it seems very stable..althoght not had it on the scope yet!

this option may get over your problems, just wire into ships supply via fuse..and sw.

 

[stravaig03]

The do-da from Maplin has worked well for me for 2 seasons. I think it's called a convertor as it goes DC to DC changing the voltage only, doesn't use as much power or heat up as much as my invertor . About £30 if i remember correctly. Do you unplug the elec supply to the laptop when starting the engine? I was told that spikes on starting cause problems.

 

[wishbone]

Just fished the destructions from my filing cab...it reads Auto dc power regulated adaptor.......N59AC laptop car adaptor.....input 11 to 14v dc......output 15,16,18,19,20v at 3.5amp max & 22,24v 2.9amp 70w max the unit features stabilised low ripple, low interference.......good bit of kit

 

[roly_voya]

I use a sterling 150w MSW inverter to run laptop and never had a problem the fact that this only occurs when the engin is running suggests it is an alternator problem and that the inverter is unable to cope with the supply quality from tha alternator (possibly high frequency spikes at close to the high frequency used for the inverter transformer stages). Suggest you check brush and control gear and if thats ok then try a suppressor

 

[Swagman]

Guess you may have the inverter fitted for multiple uses and we did also on past yacht?

Having seen others advise it is easier and more efficient to simply use an converter to go from 12v to needed 19v - we opted for this on a new yacht - and no issues so far.

Regards
JOHN

 

[branko]

Thanks to all!
I shell accept yours advise and buy DC-DC convertor for Laptops.
Hope it will solve stability of power ------ but I shell check also brushes of the alternator to see if it is a reason for oscilating voltage.