Thread: laptop in-caravan power supply

Hi Pedro, have you got a decent inverter built into your van ? It might be a lot less trouble to run the laptops 240 volt power pack off the inverter. By a decent inverter I mean a pure sine wave type. Some switching power supplys (240 volt power bricks) don't handle 'modified' sine wave inverters very well.


From a 'glass half full' viewpoint, you wont need a hot water bottle on those chilly nights.




Deano

no,
what will an inverter draw if the output is 7A?

I'm no expert here, but Anderson plugs are rated. I'm not sure how easy they are to fit to a panel face.
The other option is Hella/merrit plugs.
2X Merit Hella Plug Socket 12 Volt Dual Battery Fridge Caravan 4x4 4WD 2 2 | eBay
Don.

The benefit of having a built in inverter (preferably close to the battery) is that comparatively high current DC wiring/plugs/switching are not really necessary, with the exception of an on/off switch for the inverter DC supply. This avoids the problems you have now as the 240 volt output from the inverters power socket is low current and your laptop presumably came with a 240 volt power brick.
Yes you can beef up your DC cable and the socket you pictured is a far better choice for your purpose than a cig lighter socket but from a cost and power efficiency perspective the inverter path may be a better option.
ie. it's cheaper to provide a foot or so of heavy cable from the house battery to an inverter and then run the comparatively light 240 volt cable to the laptop than to have a longer run of heavy duty cable to a heavy duty plug/socket for the laptops 12 volt brick. Also the power losses in cabling and overheating of components is avoided.


Another benefit is that you have a good quality 240 volt power source for other devices if needed.




Deano

hmm, the plug set will set me back maybe $50,, the 2000W inverter will be how much?? and how BIG??
I do understand your reasoning

but I just dont have anything (aircon aside) that runs off 240

maybe an expresso machine!

As your PC uses around 7 amps at 13.5 volts this works out at around 90 watts.
I've got a Powertech 150 watt pure sine wave inverter sourced from Jaycar that I use sporadically, mainly for low power phone chargers, camera chargers and the like that I either don't have or can't find my 12 volt DC chargers for. I also use it for my laptop on the end of a light weight 240 volt extension cord if I'm set up away from the vehicle.
You certainly don't need a 2000 watt behemoth unless of course you do have a coffee machine.
Low wattage (under say 200 watts) can be got on eBay for around $75 new or this little beauty for a bit more


Powertech Pure Sinewave Inverter 180W MI 5700 USB Appliance Charger CAR Lighter | eBay


He's up your way somewhere.


The Powertech inverters I've found are better than the usual Chinese generics, mine also has a 5 volt USB charging output which is useful as well. I'd probably go for Jaycar as they have shops all round the country in case support/warranty is needed.


Deano