Topic: laptop power > w/ car adapter?

[caymanreview]

is the car adapter used with a 12v sla really going to work?

i have a picturebook, which the battery is 11.1v and the charger is rated at 16v

when i try to run 12v external power via a hacked power cable, it acts like it is charging but wont actually charge the internal, i think it just "extends" my runtime a bit

i am definantly going to need extended runtime, even from a quad capacity battery for summercamp. possible buy 2 and charge one while i use one...

but i was hoping to buy a car adapter and use a 12v sla to power this sucker. is there something in the car adapter that allows 12v external to actually charge the battery, and is any different than just running a hacked power cable and a 12v external

Thanks
Dustin

[sickrick43]

Alot of laptops DON'T HAVE car adapters, because of the higher-than-12V-input.  Most Sony's fall into this catagory - pisses me off to NO END.  

Alot of the reason behind this, is that alot of the devices inside today's high powered laptops, require 12V, so the batteries need to be 14-16V to supply that, and the DC inputs to charge/run off wallwarts need to be considerdably greater still (16-21V typically).

I've got a Sony GRT-100, great machine - desktop power in a laptop size, 16.1" screen.  Works great for me in my day-job, but the internal battery only runs it 35 minutes, and there ain't nuttin' out there to hook up externally that will work (tried an electrovaya powerpad, valence doesn't even come close).  You "could" try running it off a 12V SLA and an inverter, but I don't know how efficient this is going to be.

Let us know if you find a 12V Car adapter tho', I'd love to try and find something to run my lappy too (or take a beating, dump it, and by a CENTRINO that I CAN run for extended time in the field)...

Rick

[Kindguy]

How about a power inverter running off a 12V?

[sickrick43]

How about a power inverter running off a 12V?

Very innefficent.  RatShack has a number of these tho'.  Be sure and get the 130 watt model.

Cayman - try running it WITHOUT the internal.  If it powers up (and stays running) yer in business.  Running the lappy AND charging the internal, takes an excessive amount off current...

Rick

[caymanreview]

il try that, as i havent yet

thanks

[Skydogj]

http://www.lindelectronics.com/