Charging laptop from DC 12V

[bono]

Hello,

What you are using for charging your laptops when boondocking - inverters or something like this (Duracell Power Adapter)?

Thanks!
Duracell Power Adapter DRAC90B | eBay

[bansai]

I'm using this inexpensive inverter from Amazon for my tablets, phone and laptop (not all concurrently) it takes a while longer to charge the laptop, but it keeps up with my usage as long as I'm not trying to do a 4 hour powerpoint presentation before lunch and then let my daughter play video games for the rest of the day. You may end up wanting a more powerful one, but I'd get an inverter for this purpose of some size that meets your needs.

I also have a small, 20 watt solar battery charger + battery that recharges my phones and tablets, but it doesn't have the power to charge my laptop in a reasonable time frame.

[Mustang65]

Unfortunately my laptop needs 19VDC to run. I do have a 20 Volt DC to DC converter, but it only puts out about 2 amps, not enough for the laptop. So, I use the 1500 watt inverter that is usually on all the time. I charge (2 - DW's and mine) between 11Am - 1PM, while the sun is the brightest for the SOLAR panel. After the couple hours of charging the laptops and cell phones always have a full charge. Good to go for 24 hours.

Don

My Registry

[SmokerBill]

I use a little Shumaker 410 watt inverter I bought at Walmart several years ago. It charges my laptop and phone with no problem, and works for my television. Won't work with my printer, though. It needs a true sine wave, the modified sine wave doesn't make it happy.

I had to rig a new power connection up for it. The little 12vdc cigarette plug in the television area couldn't handle the current. I ran some heavier wires from next to my power converter to a plug, and that handles the power draw very well.

[bono]

Thanks Guys! I will get a small inverter. I thought the adapter I mentioned would be better, because it does not change 12V to 110V, so it would be 12V to 12V...

[chugchug]

I hard wired a 400 watt inverter and wired its output through a switch to the circuit that runs the GFCI outlets and fridge. I can run the fridge on 12V when driving and all the outlets when boondocking.

[pop up pilot]

I put in one of these: gives me 12v plug, 2 x USB power ports, and gives a voltage readout. I can charge almost all of my electronics with USB ports.

[dewey02]

Originally Posted by pop up pilot

I put in one of these: gives me 12v plug, 2 x USB power ports, and gives a voltage readout. I can charge almost all of my electronics with USB ports.

X2. Here is my use of the same product. By the bedside to charge electronics, run the 12 volt window fan, check the voltage, and I added an on/off switch to turn the whole works off (and turn off the red voltage monitor light when I go to sleep).

[TaftCoach]

Where did you pull the wire from?

[RoyBraddy]

I have what I call my duty PSW Power Inverter that is usually always ON and has two drop cords with multiple 120V receptacles on it with one cord going to the Home Entertainment area and the other cord going to the night table close to where we sleep.

This is a 600WATT AIMS PSW Power Inverter I purchased from AMAZON back in 2009. It is rated at 600WATTS but I very seldom pull anything higher than 300WATTs from it. Being PSW I don't have to worry what is plugged into it...

I also have a couple of locations where I use one of these Blue Sea USB ports units wired directly into 12VDC like POP UP PILOT is showing...

One has an 12V Outlet with the two USB ports and the other one has a 12VDC VOLTMETER with the two USB ports. Both these get used alot keeping things charged up that uses the USB ports. Both units purchased from AMAZON...


Google Image


Google Image

The downside with the one that has the 12VDC Voltmeter is it is always ON and is perhaps too bright but makes for a good night light I guess... Blue Sea also has a three hole adapter panel where you could get a ON-OFF switch unit to use to turn off the panel when not needed... The ROUND HOLE accessories can be rotated in the hole allowing you to mount vertical or horizontal... These Blue Sea panels are pretty handy to have around...


Google Image


Google Image

Roy Ken

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by bono

Thanks Guys! I will get a small inverter. I thought the adapter I mentioned would be better, because it does not change 12V to 110V, so it would be 12V to 12V...

If you can charge from a 12VDC source that is your best option

Don

[M&A]

Something like this - https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Not...p+power+supply

I have it and it works well.

[dewey02]

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

Where did you pull the wire from?

There was a light fixture in the front pass through that I never used.
So I ran wiring from there. No large loads go on these outlets.

[mike837go]

From 2004 until 2013, I carried a laptop routinely.


I bought and installed inverters in each vehicle and RV I owned.


I felt it was silly to recharging a battery from a battery, so I avoided such practice in the TT.


In late '13 I bought an iPad and moved certain stuff to a desktop PC. Since the iPad and iPhone recharge from USB ports. No more inverters anywhere!

[TaftCoach]

Originally Posted by dewey02

There was a light fixture in the front pass through that I never used.
So I ran wiring from there. No large loads go on these outlets.

I'm looking at my closest 12v line.