12v Universal USB C Laptop charger for van

[barryd]

I just bought a new Lenovo Thinkpad E15 to replace my aging Lenovo Thinkpad. Of course its now a USB C charger type. I can run it off my Bestek 300w inverter of course but for my old one I had a dedicated 12v charger which now of course wont fit.

Im thinking this one will do it. Charger says USB C, 20v, 3.25amp, 65w and this charger has those options. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charger-Un...=12v+lenovo+usb+c+charger,aps,104&sr=8-3&th=1

It just doesnt list my exact model as being compatible. All the compatible ones seem older models so I suspect its just not been updated.

Anyone used one or have one they could recommend?

 

[colinm]

I have charged one of my 18v Dell laptops with a USB-C phone charger which is only supposed to output 12v, quite how that works I don't know.
In your case if it's correct output voltage, and USB-C then I see no problem.

 

[TJBi]

Some years ago, I used a third-party 12v charger with my new Thinkpad T530. A couple of days from the end of the trip, on a very sunny day, the Thinkpad suddenly stopped charging. It also failed to charge when using a Lenovo mains charger. On return home, I was able to use it in the Lenovo docking station and had it repaired under warranty - replacement of motherboard. No clue as to what caused the issue, but I wondered whether it could have been due to high DC input voltage due to solar panels putting a good charge into the batteries and the third-party charger not coping. I decided to replace the 12v charger with a more expensive Lenovo 12v charger and have had no such issue in the many years since. Lenovo do a 12v charger that looks right for your device, but it is of course considerably more expensive than the LabTEC.

 

[barryd]

Some years ago, I used a third-party 12v charger with my new Thinkpad T530. A couple of days from the end of the trip, on a very sunny day, the Thinkpad suddenly stopped charging. It also failed to charge when using a Lenovo mains charger. On return home, I was able to use it in the Lenovo docking station and had it repaired under warranty - replacement of motherboard. No clue as to what caused the issue, but I wondered whether it could have been due to high DC input voltage due to solar panels putting a good charge into the batteries and the third-party charger not coping. I decided to replace the 12v charger with a more expensive Lenovo 12v charger and have had no such issue in the many years since. Lenovo do a 12v charger that looks right for your device, but it is of course considerably more expensive than the LabTEC.

Thanks. Generally good reviews but a few saying it wont charge when in use and if you look at some of the questions and answers they are a bit concerning. Im wondering if I might be better just using the Bestek 300w inverter with this one. However Now would be the time to test a 12v charger I guess while its under warranty.

 

[jagmanx]

Try power4laptops

 

[merl]

I just bought a new Lenovo Thinkpad E15 to replace my aging Lenovo Thinkpad. Of course its now a USB C charger type. I can run it off my Bestek 300w inverter of course but for my old one I had a dedicated 12v charger which now of course wont fit.

Im thinking this one will do it. Charger says USB C, 20v, 3.25amp, 65w and this charger has those options. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charger-Universal-2016-2020-Thinkpad-Chromebook-65W/dp/B0BL3GC3N5/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3NG9437A3902Z&keywords=12v+lenovo+usb+c+charger&qid=1685636444&sprefix=12v+lenovo+usb+c+charger,aps,104&sr=8-3&th=1

It just doesnt list my exact model as being compatible. All the compatible ones seem older models so I suspect its just not been updated.

Anyone used one or have one they could recommend?

The Amazon charger is no worse (spec wise) than the supplied one so it should be fine.
Personally I'd choose a charger that exceeds the device demand by quite a margin, especially as a cheap after market device from Amazon/Ebay so can I suggest you take a look on the thinkpad it's self for it's power requirements.
The voltage needs to match (20V) and choose a power supply that exceeds its demand (measured by watts or amps) by at least an additional 50%.

 

[barryd]

The Amazon charger is no worse (spec wise) than the supplied one so it should be fine.
Personally I'd choose a charger that exceeds the device demand by quite a margin, especially as a cheap after market device from Amazon/Ebay so can I suggest you take a look on the thinkpad it's self for it's power requirements.
The voltage needs to match (20V) and choose a power supply that exceeds its demand (measured by watts or amps) by at least an additional 50%.

This one goes up to 90w. I think the thinkpad max is 65, 20v, 3.25amps. This one states 20v 4.5amps though but that presumably is the max (90 watts)?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ARyee-Charger-12V-24V-Adapter-Microsoft/dp/B09ZV18HFX/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=Car+Laptop+Charger&qid=1685701805&sr=8-5

 

[Derekoak]

We charge our laptop and lots else with a usb c PD charger . That one says usb c PD too, so it should be fine. Usb pd knows what is plugged into it and charges at 3.5, 5 , 9 , 12 , 15 , 20 volts dep3nding on what it is charging, at up to 5 amps. If the wiring to it is not up to 100 watts it will blow the fuse at 20v x 5amps. It's the solution to laptops and any usb c device.

 

[barryd]

We charge our laptop and lots else with a usb c PD charger . That one says usb c PD too, so it should be fine. Usb pd knows what is plugged into it and charges at 3.5, 5 , 9 , 12 , 15 , 20 volts dep3nding on what it is charging, at up to 5 amps. If the wiring to it is not up to 100 watts it will blow the fuse at 20v x 5amps. It's the solution to laptops and any usb c device.

Thanks. Which one says PD, the first one I linked to or the one above. I reckon they are pretty much the same.

 

[merl]

PD is a bit of a red herring regarding your particular application Barry, go for the latter one you linked to at 90W.

 

[Derekoak]

The 90 watt one is pd. And the better. I have a 100 watt one by some chinese firm Baseus. It plugs straight into a cigarette socket. pd cables are male usbc both ends. I had to update my fuse. The cable was thick enough.