Charging laptop when off grid ? (1 Viewer)

[Chris51]

I am taking my HP laptop with me abroard this summer and as my van is all 12v with 2x 110 a VB "s.Will I be able to charge straight from van or is the 600 inverter I have suitable ?

 

[JJ]

No need for an inverter...

Maplins sell a 12volt DC step up thingy.

Mine goes from 12 volts to 19 volts to charge my (now rarely used) laptop.

However, an inverter can also be useful for other jobs, like running the hand held electric mixer for whisking Angel Delights etc.

JJ

 

[pappajohn]

As you already have an inverter i would just use that

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[Minxy]

However, an inverter can also be useful for other jobs, like running the hand held electric mixer for whisking Angel Delights etc.

JJ

I use one of these ....

 

[Clive]

Just buy a 12v lead for you HP, here's the one I got off EBay. Forgot to say search for car charger.

 

[Lenny HB]

For best efficiency use a 12v charger.
HP's have a sence pin and a lot of the cheap eBay chargers won't work.
Can't remember who I brought mine from I have details at home but in Thailand until 16th.

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[pappajohn]

Just buy a 12v lead for you HP, here's the one I got off EBay. Forgot to say search for car charger.

View attachment 140376

Does that produce 19vdc....or is it simply a 12vdc charge lead.

 

[The Nomad]

No need to use 220 volt AC mains.
Your laptop runs on DC, the exact voltage will be on the unit, and also on the plug-in mains transformer that it came with.
We also just use a 12 volt step-up dc charger...it's a sort of universal one which has a little slot which allows you to change the output voltage to 14, 16, 18. 20 volts etc...our laptop is nominally 19 volts DC so we set the charger/transformer to 18 volts, stick it's ciggie lighter plug socket into any 12 volt socket in the MK, and it charges perfectly.
It came with about 8 different little plugs to plug into various electrical things, eg laptop, bluetooth speaker, camera, etc.
Maplins etc, or ebay.......

 

[FJmike]

When I had a laptop I used one of the maples step ups, if I remember rightly that was to 19 volts. My thinking was if I used an inverter it would supply 240 volts to the laptop which would then step down to 19 volts, therefore wasting lots of valuable power. Using the step up gizmo no power wasted.

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[Clive]

Does that produce 19vdc....or is it simply a 12vdc charge lead.

Yes it produces 19v, over the years I've had one for every laptop I've owned

 

[EX51SSS]

What about a power bank.

 

[JJ]

I use one of these ....

Well jolly good for you...

I used to use one of those too, in the old days...

...but then they brought electricity into our village.

JJ

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[PeteH]

Hi

Been using this for the Last 4 Years. has 2 Setting 19V and 16V for 12Volt input. From Maplins If I remember correctly.

 

[EX51SSS]

Well jolly good for you...

I used to use one of those too, in the old days...

...but then they brought electricity into our village.

JJ

And running water too?

 

[maxi77]

No need to use 220 volt AC mains.
Your laptop runs on DC, the exact voltage will be on the unit, and also on the plug-in mains transformer that it came with.
We also just use a 12 volt step-up dc charger...it's a sort of universal one which has a little slot which allows you to change the output voltage to 14, 16, 18. 20 volts etc...our laptop is nominally 19 volts DC so we set the charger/transformer to 18 volts, stick it's ciggie lighter plug socket into any 12 volt socket in the MK, and it charges perfectly.
It came with about 8 different little plugs to plug into various electrical things, eg laptop, bluetooth speaker, camera, etc.
Maplins etc, or ebay.......

Every laptop I have had has used a connector not compatible with the ones supplied with the general purpose ones, and adaptors tend to be as expensive as the charger. Now I buy a dedicated unit sold for my laptop so if there are any problems they are the suppliers.

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[DanielFord]

I am taking my HP laptop with me abroard this summer and as my van is all 12v with 2x 110 a VB "s.Will I be able to charge straight from van or is the 600 inverter I have suitable ?

Your 600 inverter is perfectly capable of the task, however, there is the inefficiency of taking the power from 12v to 240v and then back down to 19v. That said a laptop charger uses roughly 2 thirds of toss all power, so not a huge issue a 2x100ah bank is pretty good, you will hardly draw anything from that.
You can buy 12v to 19v step up laptop chargers that are more efficient, so up to you really. Either buy something, or use what you have both answers are correct!

 

[gus-lopez]

I use one of these ....

Hardwork charging a lap top with that.

 

[Doctor Dave]

A step up device is not as simple as just using 12 volts. The 12 volt DC is converted to AC then transformed to the necessary voltage then rectified to DC. There must be some losses somewhere along the line. The experts on here will either shoot me down in flames or agree with me.


Dave

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[clanjones]

Like everyone else I use a cigarette style charger bought from Lavolta via Amazon as my ebay purchased 12 volt generic step up charger didn't have the correct connector. Hunt around as the price varies considerably.

The Lavolta device is a dedicated for my NC10 netbook and works a treat. It might be worth investigating a higher capacity battery for your laptop as well depending on how long the current charge lasts.

 

[PeteH]

Hardwork charging a lap top with that.

Bicycle Generator?. Shades of "Allo Allo"?

 

[Lenny HB]

A step up device is not as simple as just using 12 volts. The 12 volt DC is converted to AC then transformed to the necessary voltage then rectified to DC. There must be some losses somewhere along the line. The experts on here will either shoot me down in flames or agree with me.


Dave

True but a DC to DC converter will have less losses than the inverter route and a lot neater solution.

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