Netbook DC Charger

[Echodawg]

Does anyone have experience with these in regards to what works best? Do the el cheapo ones work just fine or is there something in particular I should be looking for?

 

[mauricio_28]

Well, yeah, like the voltage and current requirements of your laptop and laptop battery.

 

[1leglance]

I used the cheap ebay mutli adapters without any problem for a while but the tips didn't hold up to lots of use so I switched to a Targus one that has 12vdc, wall, and airplane plugs. It has held up great and makes travel with the netbook much easier.

 

[off-roader]

Does anyone have experience with these in regards to what works best? Do the el cheapo ones work just fine or is there something in particular I should be looking for?

FWIW, I went down this route and determined that rather than buy a 12vdc power adapter for my Acer Aspire One netbook it was easier to simply buy another 110vac adapter ($25 on ebay) and mate it to a 12vdc-110vac auto converter.

It's not a fancy schmancy pure sine wave converter either. Just a simple $25 150w 12vdc to 110vac converter that hangs right off the 12vdc lighter plug. I purchased it at Frys Electronics. I can post details of the make/model if that might help you.

As a side benefit, I can still use the spare AC adapter where I might have actual 110vac (home, friends house, hotel, etc.) or plug other things into the AC adapter.

HTH.

 

[MuddyOval]

It's just a huge waste of power to turn 12v to 110, then back again.

 

[paulj]

It's just a huge waste of power to turn 12v to 110, then back again.

How much power is wasted? How does this compare to the load rating of the car battery, alternator and/or 12v socket?

My Aspire power supply is rated at 19v, 30w. I already have a 150w inverter.

 

[Echodawg]

Thanks guys, I'll just go ahead and spend the extra money and order the one made for Asus. It is only about $50.

 

[MuddyOval]

How much power is wasted? How does this compare to the load rating of the car battery, alternator and/or 12v socket?

My Aspire power supply is rated at 19v, 30w. I already have a 150w inverter.

Depends on the quality of ther inverter, really... but they are typically quite inefficient.

 

[paulj]

12 to 19v adapter would also include an inverter, wouldn't it?

This Wagan inverter claims 90-95% efficiency
http://www.invertersrus.com/wagan2382.html

 

[off-roader]

Depends on the quality of ther inverter, really... but they are typically quite inefficient.

Perhaps but bottom line it works w/out issues and I'm not counting my alternator current draw just yet.

 

[LandyAndy]

Does anyone have experience with these in regards to what works best? Do the el cheapo ones work just fine or is there something in particular I should be looking for?

I have a Lind DC/DC adaptor for my Toughbook, there very well made & are used extensively in police & fire vehicles. Not the cheapest but you get what you pay for, check out their website :

http://www.lindelectronics.com/

Cheers,
Andy

 

[davegonz]

I have a Lind DC/DC adaptor for my Toughbook, there very well made & are used extensively in police & fire vehicles. Not the cheapest but you get what you pay for, check out their website :

http://www.lindelectronics.com/

Cheers,
Andy

I second the recommendation of using a Lind. I have had two in the past for different notebooks and have never been disappointed.

 

[762X39]

Thanks for the link to Lind. I have a Toughbook and wondered if I could run it in my Unimog direct. Lind makes a 12 to 32 volt input powerpack just for me