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

paul-essex said:
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
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The device I am discussing is does more than the power unit that comes with the device, it also runs on 12V. When you have a laptop or monitor that requires a higher voltage (often 19V), you can't usually just connect it to the battery. You can of course buy a 12V step up device, but the beauty of this one is that it switches automatically to 230V when available. It is also 100W, so will power just about any laptop or LCD TV.

The similar device I currently use cost closer to £100, and is only 65W, so my older (Intel Core 2) laptop doesn't charge when it is running at full speed.
 
Sorry to resurrect this thread but I have a few comments which may be of interest.

1. The company. They boast a U.K. address and claim to have the items in stock. Mine arrived after nearly a month, shipped from the Far East. Disingenuous at best. Payment was, of course, taken immediately.

2. The device. Claims to be "universal". No connector available for my Dell XPS series or HP nw series, so perhaps "universal" is a bit optimistic? Claims to be 100w. Can't test it as no connector available. The unit is marked as a maximum of 4amp at 19v or above, 5amp below this voltage.

Caveat emptor!

Written using my 240v inverter for power;)
 
pessimist said:
No connector available for my Dell XPS series ...
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Perhaps they were out of stock in the UK, mine took a week.

Dell computers require a special plug, a 3-core lead and a Dallas 1-wire data chip DS2501; none of the universal models supply them. I cut the lead off an old power supply and used that, together with the chip. In any case, "universal" refers more to 12V/230V operation.

More info on Dallas chip here: http://www.laptop-junction.com/toast/content/inside-dell-ac-power-adapter-mystery-revealed
 
charles_reed said:
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.
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+1

What's the need? Something else to go wrong. When on anchor/mooring (the usual) our small inverter powers the TV via ring main and 12v circuit charges phones, computer, tablet etc. When in a marina we just plug their dedicated chargers into the mains circuit. Solar still charges the batteries, rarely need the battery charger which can also be switched to 12v power supply mode.
 
GrahamM376 said:
+1

What's the need? Something else to go wrong. When on anchor/mooring (the usual) our small inverter powers the TV via ring main and 12v circuit charges phones, computer, tablet etc. When in a marina we just plug their dedicated chargers into the mains circuit. Solar still charges the batteries, rarely need the battery charger which can also be switched to 12v power supply mode.
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My fixed inverter uses 4A even when powering nothing.... So I have to turn it on and off when I want 240V for something. I agree I could buy something more efficient, but I can't justify the money. If anybody wants to know what not to buy, it's a Sterling Inverter Charger. The spec sheet says it uses 1.8A on its own, but it's wrong!

My solution is to buy 12V chargers for things - simples?
 
Richard10002 said:
My fixed inverter uses 4A even when powering nothing.... So I have to turn it on and off when I want 240V for something. I agree I could buy something more efficient, but I can't justify the money. If anybody wants to know what not to buy, it's a Sterling Inverter Charger. The spec sheet says it uses 1.8A on its own, but it's wrong!

My solution is to buy 12V chargers for things - simples?
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My Sterling 350w inverter only draws around 900ma on standby and is only used for a couple of hours some days (watching downloaded films on LCD TV mainly) so with 200w solar + Aerogen and 480ah house bank, it's negligible.
 
GrahamM376 said:
My Sterling 350w inverter only draws around 900ma on standby and is only used for a couple of hours some days (watching downloaded films on LCD TV mainly) so with 200w solar + Aerogen and 480ah house bank, it's negligible.
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"Only" 900mA on standby is quite a lot, especially if only being used for a TV. The TV might draw around 3A when on and your inverter is drawing almost 1A on standby. However, it isn't very important if you only leave it on for a couple of hours each day and it's in use most of that time.

Are you certain standby is close to 1A, mine is more like 0.16A on standby?
 
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Mistroma said:
"Only" 900mA on standby is quite a lot, especially if only being used for a TV. The TV might draw around 3A when on and your inverter is drawing almost 1A on standby. However, it isn't very important if you only leave it on for a couple of hours each day and it's in use most of that time.

Are you certain standby is close to 1A, mine is more like 0.16A on standby?
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The figure I quoted was with TV plugged in on standby, which I hadn't noticed.
 
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