Would this be a drain on battery?

lukin · 24-03-2006 8:44am #1

Was thinking of buying this for charging my laptop in the car:
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10001&catalogId=4501&langId=-1&searchTerms=6768858&go.x=0&go.y=0
I don't want to risk my battery dying on me though. Has anyone here used one of these before? I drive a 94 Corolla by the way.

The Doktor · 24-03-2006 9:14am

Should be grand. However, if the max power this will deliver is 300W, at 12V, it means that it will draw 25Adc, which will mean that it could blow the fuse for the cigerette lighter. BUT, a laptop Power supply will only draw about a max 5A dc, with say an extra 1A for the converter meaning a total of 6A and if there is a 10A fuse in your cig lighter, you will be grand.
I use one a lot myself and its always been fine.
Once you dont leave it on with the engine off for any length of time you will be fine. Besides the cig lighter would probably be off with the ignition off anyways...

lukin · 24-03-2006 9:48am

Thanks, I found a customer rview here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008Z9Y5/026-5200785-0747665

It comes with an adapter that allows direct connection to a battery using crocodile clips when you are using something that needs a lot of voltage.

crosstownk · 24-03-2006 9:54am

I'd be inclined to buy an adapter that converts the cars 12VDC to whatever voltage your laptop requires - it would be a lot neater but probably more expensive.

24-03-2006 11:27am

Maplin sell invertors cheaper than argos so id look there for one.

Or if your really on the bargain hunt try ebay!

The only problem ive had with the 300w ones before is that they can give off an awfull hum/drone regardless of them being grounded well.It seemed to depend on what i was running from it tho.

lukin · 24-03-2006 1:26pm

So is this one better than the Argos one d'ya think?
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=47711&criteria=invertors&doy=24m3

It's £10 cheaper too.

Would this be a drain on battery?

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