Help, I bought a laptop to use whilst I am away in my 'Bambi'. I bought from Maplins a transformer? which goes into a cigar lighter wired to my 'leisure' battery. The first time I plugged it in it blew a fuse, 10 amp? Do I need a stronger fuse, was I just unlucky and need to try again or should I just read a good book instead of playing on the computer?
Its obvious they did not sell you the right item, i use a small 75 watts inverter and never had any problems, but my wife can use lap top whilst travelling by plugging the cigar adaptor.That should have been supplied with your lap top, so to be on the safe side i would not use your lap top in the bambi until you know that you can use it safely without blowing any thing.
my laptop is a very large one but I am so not technical that I don't understand amps watts etc. What is an inverter, that may be what I bought, I have to set it at 19? All I know is that I know nothing. Thanks for your help.
Hi supersue, i don't understand, you set what at 19? Anyway, i would definetely recommend you get yourself a small inverter( its an electrical box )that when attached/plugged to your leisure batteries/battery you can run an electrical item from it as LONG THE OPERATING WATTAGE IS NOT ABOVE THE INVERTER. May i at this point suggest you take your lap top with you and go to your nearest maplin store and Explain in details what you need, i said i run mine from a 75 watt inverter and never had any problems. Stay in touch and let us know how you get on.
When we go away, I run my lappy from a jump start pack. When we are on site I charge the jump start pack and when we are not hooked up, I can use that to power the lappy. Less chance of any damage to the van and it can even be used outside.
Sara
------------- Why live for tomorrow, when you can live for today and tomorrow is yet to come?
Quote: Originally posted by soupersue on 18/5/2010
my laptop is a very large one but I am so not technical that I don't understand amps watts etc. What is an inverter, that may be what I bought, I have to set it at 19? All I know is that I know nothing. Thanks for your help.
A laptop charger like the one you bought is definitely the way to go (no idea why it blew a fuse though) When set to the correct voltage requirement of the laptop - sounds like yours is 19V, they are far more power efficient than an inverter which has to take volts up from 12 to 240 then back down to the 19 you require.
Quote: Originally posted by soupersue on 18/5/2010
I have to set it at 19?
A laptop charger like the one you bought is definitely the way to go (no idea why it blew a fuse though) When set to the correct voltage requirement of the laptop - sounds like yours is 19V, they are far more power efficient than an inverter which has to take volts up from 12 to 240 then back down to the 19 you require.
I have never quite understood how you get 19vDC from a 12vDC supply; any ideas?
I would say hard wire a 300w inverter and have done with it
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Topic: Charging my laptop
