Solution to powering Notebooks, TVs and other >12V devices

[nigelmercier]

I thought this was worthy of a new thread...

Do you know of any decent dc/dc converters? ...

I've found the ideal solution for powering laptops and TVs etc on board: an automatic switching device that has both 12V and AC inputs, and outputs a selection of voltages from 12V to 24V.

The advantage being that when you have shore power, it removes the load from your battery charger. I've got a similar device for my Dell PC, but it cost nearly £100, and is only 65W.

Input: AC 110-240V 50-60Hz 1.3A Max
Input: DC 9-15V
Output: 12/15/16/18/19/20/22/24V 5A Max
Output: USB 5V 1A
Power: 100W

And the good news is that it's only £15 on Amazon with free delivery:http://amzn.to/1oCNOP7 - I've ordered two of them.

[Update] New link http://amzn.to/1k56jzr

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Looks good.
I wonder how efficient it is?

 

[[3889]]

The advantage being that when you have shore power, it removes the load from your battery charger.

Is this an advantage because it means batteries will charge more quickly or are there other benefits? If you are on mains overnight (the usual scenario) won't there be a surfeit of charger output in any case?

 

[nigelmercier]

Looks good. I wonder how efficient it is?

I would imagine about 90% to 95% from 12V, but I will do some tests when they arrive.

Is this an advantage because it means batteries will charge more quickly or are there other benefits? If you are on mains overnight (the usual scenario) won't there be a surfeit of charger output in any case?

Yes, the batteries will charge more quickly, as it will reduce the load on the charger. A "surfeit of charger output", what a strange concept; my 630Ah battery bank can take up to 24 hours to charge completely, on a 50A charger.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Is this an advantage because it means batteries will charge more quickly or are there other benefits?

It means that one gizmo can be used for running several different devices (though probably not at the same time).

 

[[3889]]

A "surfeit of charger output", what a strange concept; my 630Ah battery bank can take up to 24 hours to charge completely, on a 50A charger.

That's why I clumsily called it a surfeit; the charger only needs max output for a short time then the charge drops off. That's my highly inexpert take on things, anyway.

 

[lustyd]

I'd be curious to know how they've made a device so much cheaper, smaller and more flexible than every other standard charger available. This would appear to break the engineering triangle which always gets my suspicion alarms going. I look forward to your test results.

 

[nigelmercier]

That's why I clumsily called it a surfeit; the charger only needs max output for a short time then the charge drops off...

You are quite correct, but it is my experience that it still charges faster with a smaller load. Turning on a device that takes 3A doesn't necessarily increase the charger output by the same amount, it depends on which phase of charging is taking place.

Even if you don't think this is a benefit, having just one compact device that can charge from 12V or AC has got to be a bonus on a boat.

 

[Cardo]

An interesting piece of kit! I'm trying to think of items I could use one with...

 

[charles_reed]

I thought this was worthy of a new thread...


I've found the ideal solution for powering laptops and TVs etc on board: an automatic switching device that has both 12V and AC inputs, and outputs a selection of voltages from 12V to 24V.

The advantage being that when you have shore power, it removes the load from your battery charger. I've got a similar device for my Dell PC, but it cost nearly £100, and is only 65W.

Input: AC 110-240V 50-60Hz 1.3A Max
Input: DC 9-15V
Output: 12/15/16/18/19/20/22/24V 5A Max
Output: USB 5V 1A
Power: 100W

And the good news is that it's only £15 on Amazon with free delivery: http://amzn.to/1oCNOP7 - I've ordered two of them.

For me a solution looking for a problem.

My two laptops have dedicated 230v AC and 12 v chargers - if I'm on mains power my ring main allows me to use that for any devices that need charging, my switch mode charger can get on with charging batteries and running the fridge compressor.

The price also raises queries in my mind as to how accurately it outputs its voltages. I look forward to an objective evaluation of its performance.

 

[Richard10002]

For me a solution looking for a problem.

My two laptops have dedicated 230v AC and 12 v chargers - if I'm on mains power my ring main allows me to use that for any devices that need charging, my switch mode charger can get on with charging batteries and running the fridge compressor.

The price also raises queries in my mind as to how accurately it outputs its voltages. I look forward to an objective evaluation of its performance.

I have a similar thing that cost £15 plus £4 postage, and is rated at only 90W. It has been powering my Samsung TV using the DC input, and 12V output, for several weeks now, and all seems fine. It's certainly more efficient than using a 300W inverter, and the Samsung supplied 240V adapter,.

 

[nigelmercier]

I've found the ideal solution for powering laptops and TVs etc on board: an automatic switching device that has both 12V and AC inputs, and outputs a selection of voltages from 12V to 24V.

Input: AC 110-240V 50-60Hz 1.3A Max
Input: DC 9-15V
Output: 12/15/16/18/19/20/22/24V 5A Max
Output: USB 5V 1A
Power: 100W

And the good news is that it's only £15 on Amazon with free delivery: http://amzn.to/1oCNOP7 - I've ordered two of them.

The new power packs arrived today, I've got one of them working my LG monitor at 19V: http://amzn.to/1cFvrtf

It also has a USB output that I may use to power a powered USB 3.0 hub rather than taking power from the USB bus, even though USB 3.0 has a higher power rating. Hub is here: http://amzn.to/1eOOlsT

I've done some tests on how efficient it is compared with the LG power pack:
LG power pack: 28.9W
New power pack: 29.1W
So nothing in it.

I will do more tests tomorrow on how efficient it is from 12V.

 

[NickRobinson]

I've got one of these- you have to choose 12v/220v - not automatic

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Belkin-La...Accessories_PowerSupplies&hash=item258abc4ee2

Mine came with lots of tips for different laptops

Nick

Don't use it much now as tablet is much more frugal

 

[nigelmercier]

... you have to choose 12v/220v - not automatic. Mine came with lots of tips for different laptops ...

That may not have enough power to charge a laptop while it is being used: my old Dell needed 90W or it would complain.
The automatic part is why I like it. Mine also came with several tips, in the fourth picture http://amzn.to/1oCNOP7

 

[paul-essex]

I don't get it its the same as you get with any laptop or 12v / 240 volt telly ect

I always thought and 240 to 12 volt unit was a transformer

I always thought a 12 to 240 volt unit is a inverter
if you are pushing 50 amps out of your battery charger and you battery bank takes 24 hours to charge up it may only be taking say 30 amps leaving you 20 to power outer stuff anyway

 

[Richard10002]

I've got one of these- you have to choose 12v/220v - not automatic

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Belkin-La...Accessories_PowerSupplies&hash=item258abc4ee2

Mine came with lots of tips for different laptops

Nick

Don't use it much now as tablet is much more frugal

Seems to one where the tip decides the voltage?

 

[alan_d]

I don't get it its the same as you get with any laptop or 12v / 240 volt telly ect

I always thought and 240 to 12 volt unit was a transformer

I always thought a 12 to 240 volt unit is a inverter

The term transformer has recently been broadened to include a variety of devices which take one voltage as an input and output a different one (higher or lower). Traditionally the term was reserved for devices which used coils wound on an inductive core to achieve this, and hence would only work with alternating current. An inverter was a device which converted direct current (typically from lead acid batteries or similar) into alternating current and thence via an inductive transformer to a (usually) higher voltage.

 

[paul-essex]

as I said I don't get it unless you lost the original


I don't get it its the same as you get with any laptop or 12v / 240 volt telly ect

 

[NickRobinson]

Seems to one where the tip decides the voltage?

That's correct- it even ran my Dell with the extra pin (but didn't charge it). Belkin say if you ask them they will send you extra tips for free- though I can't say I needed to try.

Nigel, the white unit looks like the same moulding as my official Dell mains charger and it has the umph.

Nick

 

[Rigger Mortice]

as I said I don't get it unless you lost the original


I don't get it its the same as you get with any laptop or 12v / 240 volt telly ect

Those usually only output one specific voltage. This one gives you a range of output voltages so you need just one unit instead of a separate unit for every device you need to power.