Working off grid

lustyd said:
Indeed, with alt+tab and Windows+ctrl+left/right it's very quick to switch, probably faster than moving the mouse accross two desktops.
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Extra tip is to switch Caps Lock and Control. I remapped it using Windows PowerToys and it's a huge difference. Easy to remap in Mac and Linux too.
 
lustyd said:
Indeed, with alt+tab and Windows+ctrl+left/right it's very quick to switch, probably faster than moving the mouse accross two desktops.
My Surface Laptop runs quite happily on about 12W for normal workloads (you have to measure when the battery is full!) and uses USB-C so connects directly to a USB socket installed on the boat which can deliver 18W. With 200W solar I can run the laptop, router, fridge etc. indefinitely in the summer months.

Don't forget the above 60W = 5A that 5A is 40AH over an 8 hour day assuming you work exactly 8 hours and then turn off the laptop
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That's fine if you want to switch between different activities, which is actually what I'm doing mostly. But if you want to constantly refer to one document while working on another - which I also need to do sometimes - then dual monitors or an extra wide wrap-around screen is the only solution that is efficient.
 
AntarcticPilot said:
That's fine if you want to switch between different activities, which is actually what I'm doing mostly. But if you want to constantly refer to one document while working on another - which I also need to do sometimes - then dual monitors or an extra wide wrap-around screen is the only solution that is efficient.
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What I tend to do for that sort of activity on board is to use an iPad plus a laptop. For viewing things I use the iPad, and the editing/doing on the laptop. Using Dropbox or similar easy to access the same files. Much less power needed than a second screen, and can choose when to do the recharging.
 
AntarcticPilot said:
That's fine if you want to switch between different activities, which is actually what I'm doing mostly. But if you want to constantly refer to one document while working on another - which I also need to do sometimes - then dual monitors or an extra wide wrap-around screen is the only solution that is efficient.
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If you're working on two documents side by side use the windows snap feature and place them side by side. This works well on pretty much any modern laptop screen as they're too wide for productivity apps anyway. To snap, either drag the window to the side of the screen, or windows key and an arrow.

Edit to add - I do understand some jobs need two screens, this was aimed at explaining the feature rather than telling you to change!
 
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I work from my boat, I have 12v power supply for my laptop and am looking for a monitor that I can run directly of a 12v supply. Most can apparently, but is easier with those that have an external power brick.

My current monitor runs of a 150w inverter.
 
I have been working aboard for 4-5 months of the year since 2004. Of course back then (pre smart phone and cheap roaming) the main issue was finding an internet connection, usually in a library ot (French) post office.
Originally I relied on shore power but now I anchor more and don't use an inverter. I use a laptop running Windows (for software development) and the boat computer (raspberry pi) with a fixed screen (emails and web browsing)
I also have a Cello 12V TV which can be used as a second screen for the laptop.
Currently have 240W solar which will be increased to 550W this season. This takes care of my power needs.

I've been trying to stop working completely, but I still have a couple of client who won't let me retire just yet.
 
Thanks for all the responses. I'll go with a power station I think and then re think the set up over winter (the dream of swapping to Lithium batteries and a BMS.... need to remortgage the kids first though to make that possible). This looks promising: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08T6CMXWY?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_SCE2FCMWXXKACGX8NN5K - it is still an eye watering cost and will only give me around three hours at the most. I could charge it at the same time from solar or the 12V socket, so that might offset some of the use.

The work I do involves development, where two screens gives me much greater efficiency. I can use one screen on a laptop for admin tasks, meetings and the like, and the boat gives a very good platform for that kind of focus work and meetings. In the office I will get bothered more - good for collaboration and face to face meetings, not so good for focus.
 
MagicalArmchair said:
The work I do involves development, where two screens gives me much greater efficiency. I can use one screen on a laptop for admin tasks, meetings and the like, and the boat gives a very good platform for that kind of focus work and meetings. In the office I will get bothered more - good for collaboration and face to face meetings, not so good for focus.
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Can that sort of stuff not be done these days on a tablet? That would save a lot of power demand
 
MagicalArmchair said:
Thanks for all the responses. I'll go with a power station I think and then re think the set up over winter (the dream of swapping to Lithium batteries and a BMS.... need to remortgage the kids first though to make that possible). This looks promising: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08T6CMXWY?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_SCE2FCMWXXKACGX8NN5K - it is still an eye watering cost and will only give me around three hours at the most. I could charge it at the same time from solar or the 12V socket, so that might offset some of the use.

The work I do involves development, where two screens gives me much greater efficiency. I can use one screen on a laptop for admin tasks, meetings and the like, and the boat gives a very good platform for that kind of focus work and meetings. In the office I will get bothered more - good for collaboration and face to face meetings, not so good for focus.
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I would politely suggest you are solving the wrong problem, look at how you can minimise the power needed, use a usb powered second monitor for lower power consumption. The ones I have will run off a small usb power bank for over 7hrs. use a remote desktop session and run any intensive tasks on a remote pc.

However yes, even with a lower consumption you are going to run against the clock, so add some means of additional power generation, 100watt solar panels are not that expensive these days, coupled with charge controller, even if you simply lay it on deck when needed.

The big thing they don't state with many of these "power stations" is what voltage they are measuring the Amp Hrs at, The one you link to states that it can be recharged in 6hrs via 100watts of solar, the maths doesn't make any sense, as the 164Ah they quote is most likely at a very low voltage.

For work we tried a few of these things, and then ended up using Tracer Batteries to power equipment when we are away from mains power. TracerPower.com Home
 
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northwind said:
The big thing they don't state with many of these "power stations" is what voltage they are measuring the Amp Hrs at, The one you link to states that it can be recharged in 6hrs via 100watts of solar, the maths doesn't make any sense, as the 164Ah they quote is most likely at a very low voltage.
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164 Ah at 3.7 V, the voltage of a lithium cell. It's equivalent to a 100 Ah standard 12 V lead acid battery that is discharged to 50%, so an expensive battery.

For the price it might be better to increase the lead acid battery capacity and add more solar...

EXL110 Enduroline Leisure Marine Battery 110Ah

Renogy 200w Flexible Kit Select solar The solar professionals Select Solar - The solar power professionals
 
MagicalArmchair said:
. I was going to go and grab one of these for the experiment this evening: RINVU500



Any observations or recommendations? I do need to sort out off-grid power this winter and I do want some solar on board to keep the batteries topped up - however, that is for off-season, I am just looking for something to muddle through.
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That inverter is a "Modified sine wave" type which really means not sine wave at all. Go for a pure sine wave type a bit more expensive but less inclined to give trouble with some computer gear and works well with induction motors. (fridge)
re exotic power packs there may be a far better solution to fit another large battery to the ship supply. Don't count on much solar power in winter. ol'will
 
northwind said:
I would politely suggest you are solving the wrong problem, look at how you can minimise the power needed, use a usb powered second monitor for lower power consumption. The ones I have will run off a small usb power bank for over 7hrs. use a remote desktop session and run any intensive tasks on a remote pc.

However yes, even with a lower consumption you are going to run against the clock, so add some means of additional power generation, 100watt solar panels are not that expensive these days, coupled with charge controller, even if you simply lay it on deck when needed.

The big thing they don't state with many of these "power stations" is what voltage they are measuring the Amp Hrs at, The one you link to states that it can be recharged in 6hrs via 100watts of solar, the maths doesn't make any sense, as the 164Ah they quote is most likely at a very low voltage.

For work we tried a few of these things, and then ended up using Tracer Batteries to power equipment when we are away from mains power. TracerPower.com Home
Click to expand...

what usb powered monitor do you use please?

All the ones I can find are far too small. I do a similar job to the OP, screen space is essential.
 
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CapPugwash said:
what usb powered monitor do you use please?

All the ones I can find are far too small. I do a similar job to the OP, screen space is essential.
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I have a few..

The Asus one is the same size as my laptop screen:

ZenScreen - All Models｜Monitors｜ASUS United Kingdom

The one I have is HD, they are pretty good, however the brightness is not that great on the one I have.

We also have a number of Uperfect IPS monitors, these are great, not got anything over 15" yet, but I see they now do 17" ones..

Portable Monitors Extra Screen for Laptop Home Office | UPERFECT
 
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