Inverters advice (1 Viewer)

leslie

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I AM THINKING OF USING MY LAPTOP AS A T.V.(FREEVIEW) / DVD PLAYER.

I WAS WONDERING WHETHER THIS WOULD USE MORE POWER THAN A PURPOSE BUILT 12VOLT/240VOLT T.V.?

ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT MIGHT BE THE AVERAGE WATTAGE USED BY A LAPTOP? SO I WOULD KNOW WHICH POWER OF INVERTER I WOULD NEED TO USE.:Eeek:
 

pappajohn

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have a look on the lappy transformer and see what the output is.....

multiply the amps by the volts to get watts......ie.....5amps X 15volts = 75watts.

whatever the answer at least double the invertor watts so it isnt running near its limit and will run cooler without cutting out.


probably better to buy a 12v lappy power convertor....12v to whatever volts your lappy runs on.

average 12v 15inch lcd tv will use between 2amps and 5amps @ 12v
 
Last edited:
Oct 29, 2008
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Avoid an inverter if possible as a DC to DC adaptor is more efficient. Some new LCD tvs only use 20w, I would think your laptop uses more.

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Terry

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Hi I agree with jezport :thumb:but if you want to go the inverter route a small 150w will be more than sufficient.
terry
 

Phil

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If you use an inverter it should be the input power to the laptop mains charger that is important as that is what the inverter needs to supply.

I totally agree with earlier posters that the most efficient way to go is with a dc to laptop voltage converter as sold by Maplin. In that case you need to ensure that the converter is capable of supplying the required voltage and current for the laptop.

Phil.
 

hilldweller

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Hi I agree with jezport :thumb:but if you want to go the inverter route a small 150w will be more than sufficient.
terry

But not in my case. There is some surge with my latest laptop that trips a cheap old 150W inverter. I've just got a sinewave 300W one to solve that problem *but* it takes a very unhealthy 0.8A on standby.

Consistent, this laptop also trips the TRUST DC/DC power supply that was fine with a previous laptop.

So it's the laptop that is the problem not the laptops external power supply.

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derekfaeberwick

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But not in my case. There is some surge with my latest laptop that trips a cheap old 150W inverter. I've just got a sinewave 300W one to solve that problem *but* it takes a very unhealthy 0.8A on standby.

Consistent, this laptop also trips the TRUST DC/DC power supply that was fine with a previous laptop.

So it's the laptop that is the problem not the laptops external power supply.

I have had similar problems with inverter to T.V. and to laptops and I found that powering up the 'brick' first then connecting the brick to the telly-lappy worked.
 

pappajohn

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If you use an inverter it should be the input power to the laptop mains charger that is important as that is what the inverter needs to supply.

I totally agree with earlier posters that the most efficient way to go is with a dc to laptop voltage converter as sold by Maplin. In that case you need to ensure that the converter is capable of supplying the required voltage and current for the laptop.

Phil.

that was my impression also but when i queried it i got shot down in flames.:cry:
 

Terry

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But not in my case. There is some surge with my latest laptop that trips a cheap old 150W inverter. I've just got a sinewave 300W one to solve that problem *but* it takes a very unhealthy 0.8A on standby.

Consistent, this laptop also trips the TRUST DC/DC power supply that was fine with a previous laptop.

So it's the laptop that is the problem not the laptops external power supply.
I stand corrected Brian :cry::thumb:
terry

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hilldweller

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I stand corrected Brian :cry::thumb:
terry

Not corrected at all, it was a perfectly logical suggestion, my previous computer worked OK and in theory this one should work OK.

I was just making the point that sometimes real life bites you in the bum.
 

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