THE POWER PROBLEM FOR LAPTOPS

[kirstenjayne]

Ref. The Power Problem sidebar in the May 2004 PBO.
There is a power booster available from Radio Ham Sam Ubling n4uau. in the US. website http://user.gru.net/n4uau e-mail n4uau@arrl.net that will convert 12 volts to the voltage required to run a laptop. I have built the device and get 20 volts at up to 6 amps, which is rather above the spec. but it works very well, all be it with adequate heatsinking on the ic. This booster does not generate any RFI and is thus suitable for powering the laptop while receiving wefax, etc.
My previous laptops, Toshiba, required 15 volts and I found that they would run satisfactorily directly on the boat supply and charge OK when the engine was running or the batteries were being charged by solar panels.
The booster is available as Kit form at US $30, Soldered and tested or 'Plug and Play at $68. It really works well.

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[Steve Clayton]

I recently "won" the HP car/airline 12 to 19v/75 watt adaptor on e-bay for £23 all in - a quote from a retailer for the same item was £90. Paid for it by posting a cheque on a Monday and it arrived on the Wednesday! This UK company may have more - PM me if you want this company's details.

Steve

No doubt some smart-a**e will say it's cheaper elsewhere.
LOL


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[Birdseye]

Its cheaper elsewhere! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.

 

[Anthony]

I find the small car adaptors work really well, I have one of the 3.5A models that get sold on ebay for <£20 (e.g. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3470704330&category=3670), and it works just aswell as the £80 that I have from Dell.



<hr width=100% size=1>The difference between men and boys, is just the price of their toys...

 

[Guest]

Maplins .... 25.95

Kerio Energy Knight I
72W cont
12V input, 15 - 24 VDC output depending on which adaptor you plug in .... (all in the box)

Who needs to make themselves when Maplin can supply this ? I'm sure that many other outlets can be found .....

I know 2 of us that have been happily powering and charging Notebook PC's on these ..... without trouble. I use mine in the car, on boat .... etc. etc. It is also true that most NB PC's will work of 12V direct ..... OK many will not charge properly at 12V, but that's not a problem if the 12V supplies all working needs.


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/