Using 12 Volt's for Apple laptop and iPad

[Kilroy]

Anyone using a device to run their MBP or iPad off 12 volts without using an inverter?

I found a link to the Lind site. But there listing is for antique Apple products (ibook, G4).

I also found this site for a product which looks like a 12 volt to 19 volt converter. http://mikegyver.com/Store/

Wondering if anyone using these products or other to get away for the waste of using an inverter.

 

[spressomon]

This is what I am using; its relatively small, compact and versatile; 1" x 3-3/4" x 2-5/8" (the inverter portion...). About $43 on Amazon.com

http://us.kensington.com/html/17163.html

 

[dwh]

My Acer netbook came with a 30w AC charger, so I bought a 30w DC charger to use in my camper. In Linux, acpi reports that my netbook uses 9w in power save and 14w when charging the battery, so I figured a 30w power supply would be fine.

After the second one overheated and burnt out I decided to get something beefier. I got one of these for 18 bucks off eBay:

http://sangertek.en.made-in-china.c...Gateway-Car-Charger-19v-4-74a-YD190-474-.html

LOVE IT. It has a nice thick cable and it never even gets warm. They make it with a lot of different tips, but if unsure it's probably best to get a unit with interchangeable tips.

 

[Kilroy]

I've got a small inverter like the Kensington already and use it in the car while moving. But to use with a 12 volt source such as a car that is not running, will really pull down the battery quickly.

The Acer should be able to charge right off a running car if it uses 14 volts, since that is what an alternator is putting out. Apple stuff needs 19 volts.

 

[dwh]

The Acer should be able to charge right off a running car if it uses 14 volts, since that is what an alternator is putting out. Apple stuff needs 19 volts.

My Acer ZA3 (0751h) takes 19v. I also have a 7200mAh 9-cell battery for it, so it goes a good 8 hours before it needs a recharge (unless I use my 1w Alfa wifi card, then it only goes about 6 hours).

But even if it used 14v, I'd still use a power adapter. The one I have takes 10v-15v on the input and puts out a nice steady 19v. I like regulated power for my tronics.

 

[haven]

The iPad and MacBook have very different power requirements. There are plenty of 12V chargers for the iPad available from third parties.

The MacBook has a higher voltage requirement and that funky MagSafe power plug. HyperMac used to make a 12V power adapter for the MacBook, but Apple made them take it off the market because of licensing issues with the Apple's patented MagSafe connector.

Here's the HyperMac page
http://www.hypershop.com/HyperMac-Pure-DC-Car-Charger-for-MacBook-p/mbp-car.htm

I could find only one retailer still selling the HyperMac 12V charger online
http://www.simplyelectronics.net/mainproduct.php?currency=usd&pid=10810

Maybe HyperMac will properly license the MagSafe plug, and return to the market in the future.

 

[Dillon]

You can walk right into the Apple store and pick up a MagSafe Airline Adapter for $49.00. It has an em_power plug and a 20mm plug. Or you can use the Kensington version for a few bucks less. That will power your MBP. Belkin and Griffin both make auto charger plugs that use a USB connector to power/charge iPads, iPods, and iPhones.

 

[targa88]

Acer charger

I got one of these for 18 bucks off eBay:

http://sangertek.en.made-in-china.c...Gateway-Car-Charger-19v-4-74a-YD190-474-.html

LOVE IT. It has a nice thick cable and it never even gets warm. They make it with a lot of different tips, but if unsure it's probably best to get a unit with interchangeable tips.

Do you more details/description/link from Ebay for this item?

 

[dwh]

Do you more details/description/link from Ebay for this item?

Um...no?

I would say the details/description at the link I posted are...well...detailed.

As for the eBay link...it's been a while since I bought it. I'd have to check but well over 6 months. The vendor I got mine from was www.sibusa.com which redirects to www.sibstore.com which doesn't seem to list it now.

If you just do a Google search for that part number you'll find a whole bunch of vendors selling that unit with various tips for various computers:

http://www.google.com/search?q=YD190-474&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official