inverters

[delicagirl]

hello guys and gals.... the ongoing electrical saga of my van has taken a new twist. i have had 2 entirely separate garages (both with some electrical expertise), plus a campervanner of many years experience ask me why i don't use the inverter for my laptop. Both have mentioned that 12v cigar sockets (no matter how well wired) are simply not designed for several hours of use for a laptop and that i should consider using the inverter. The fact that this 12v socket has burnt out once, sometimes gets very hot and the fuse has blown once might indicate that this is true.

my naive brain has always thought that a 240v 3 pin electrical appliance such as my old laptop (19 volts and 3.42 amps are written on the bottom of it) would drain a 12v battery in minutes. This may or may not be true as it is more than likely that i don't understand this relationship.

Do others use an inverter when wilding ?

The other way i have looked at my electrical problems is that i have 3 leisure batteries and only one 100A solar panel... do i need another solar panel maybe to stock up the batteries more quickly ?

all comments gratefully received.....

 

[Wooie1958]

Oh dear, what a can of worms you`ve opened :scared:

I have a Sterling Pro Power Q 350W Inverter connected directly to the leisure batteries Sterling Power - Pro Power Q 12v, 350w Inverter [PN: I12350]

It will happily power the Laptop, TV, Satellite etc. although we don`t have them all going at the same time.

The reason i went down the inverter route was so that i didn`t need to keep changing from mains power leads to 12V leads and back again.

This way works for us and i`m happy with it.

 

[Admin]

Hello,

I am :

A qualified Electrician
A qualified electrical inspector
A qualified electronics engineer
Qualified in Electronic systems

I am experienced with motorhome electrical systems and computer systems
This does not of course mean I am right, but as it was me they first suggested they you should not use the inverter to charge your laptop (at Rutland Water) I guess that it was my opinion that you are weighing up against the other opinions.
Using an inverter to convert 12v to 230v then plugging in a power adaptor to convert in back down is a wasteful use of power. If you feel they you have enough surplus energy then this method is fine.

Most 12v laptop power supplies use a max of 90w or 7.5 amps. The rated power of a cbe 12v socket is 120w or 10 amps. And they are made to supply this continuously.

12V Socket - Auto | Leisureshopdirect

 

[delicagirl]

Thank you - yes indeed one big can of worms, slowly getting it less wriggly !!!!!

so how many hours a day do you estimate the inverter would power a laptop for ? Re electrical equipment i only have a phone charger/camera battery charger/laptop in the van.

i recall different discussions on here about sine wave etc (whatever that might be!!) would it help if i found the inverter booklet and gave some technical information about it here ?


back later.....

 

[Deleted member 5816]

The cigarette lighter socket is a poor idea at best if this has ever been used as a cigarette lighter socket even worse.( dirty connections )
It's better to use a proper 12v socket wired either to the leisure battery or the van battery.
The use of an inverter for anything is a poor idea.

Alf

 

[jagmanx]

Do not use an inverter for a laptop NO NEED

It will use more battery power
12V to 240V and then to 19V

Simply get an extra good socket fitted connected to your leisure battery (ies) with a suitable extra fuse
19 volts at 3.4 amps means your cigarette lighter socket should use 19Vx3.4A = 64.6 watts divide by 12V =5.38888 amps so 6 amp fuse would be Ok but you would probably have to use a 10amp fuse ... if not using your laptop it may take 20mins to charge 20 x 6 amps =120 amp minutes or 2 amphours you have "loads of power".
Just make sure you get good quality fittings.

I only have 1x 85amphour LB and a 120W solar.. I also charge a tablet and phone and mi-fi ALL off 12V. ( as well as my laptop which I use extensively )
We rarely use a camp-site and even then avoid EHU if it costs extra.

If

 

[Admin]

The cigarette lighter socket is a poor idea at best if this has ever been used as a cigarette lighter socket even worse.( dirty connections )
It's better to use a proper 12v socket wired either to the leisure battery or the van battery.
The use of an inverter for anything is a poor idea.

Alf

Yes,

A purpose made socket for the supply of 12v power is the best option.


The newer CBE style 12v power sockets are much better than standard vehicle cig lighter sockets, although they look the same. They have more surface area from the four negative contacts and this also gives a tighter connection for the positive pin.

 

[jagmanx]

So 100% agreement

Is this a first ?

 

[Derekoak]

Cigarette socket

All my cigarette type sockets even supposedly good ones have failed. I have converted all 12 volt plug in connections to Anderson powerpole connections 15 , 30 and 45 amp as required. We have a small inverter connected with a 45 amp powerpole but would not use it for anything that would run off 12 volt .

 

[Wooie1958]

Is this a first ?

No, what about me :mad1:

 

[Obanboy666]

Last but not least buy another modern laptop.
My MacBook Pro lasts for hours.

 

[Deleted member 13859]

I have a a universal adaptor from maplin which i asked them was this ok to use for my laptop so would this meet the requirements as ive never used it

tranivanman

 

[Johnnygm7lsi]

I use my 2KW inverter for everything 240v, but you need plenty battery power and a quick way to recharge them, which I have, what you would be better with is a Hella 20 amp 12v socket and plug wired directly to the battery with high amperage cable, then swop your cig laptop socket for a Hella one, like these hella 20 amp 12v socket - Google Search

 

[delicagirl]

The cigarette lighter socket is a poor idea at best if this has ever been used as a cigarette lighter socket even worse.( dirty connections )
It's better to use a proper 12v socket wired either to the leisure battery or the van battery.
The use of an inverter for anything is a poor idea.

Alf

thank you Alf.... i have indeed got a new proper 12v socket wired to the leisure battery and which has never seen a fag in its life !!

 

[Nesting Zombie]

hello guys and gals.... the ongoing electrical saga of my van has taken a new twist. i have had 2 entirely separate garages (both with some electrical expertise), plus a campervanner of many years experience ask me why i don't use the inverter for my laptop. Both have mentioned that 12v cigar sockets (no matter how well wired) are simply not designed for several hours of use for a laptop and that i should consider using the inverter. The fact that this 12v socket has burnt out once, sometimes gets very hot and the fuse has blown once might indicate that this is true.

my naive brain has always thought that a 240v 3 pin electrical appliance such as my old laptop (19 volts and 3.42 amps are written on the bottom of it) would drain a 12v battery in minutes. This may or may not be true as it is more than likely that i don't understand this relationship.

Do others use an inverter when wilding ?

The other way i have looked at my electrical problems is that i have 3 leisure batteries and only one 100A solar panel... do i need another solar panel maybe to stock up the batteries more quickly ?

all comments gratefully received.....

Hi ya DG,
My Laptop is 20v @ 2.25amp.
I Haven't got a cig Charger for it, I use an 150w inverter via my Cig lighter to Charge whatever rechargeable bits n bobs I have while I'm running my Engine Or Traveling, THEN if needed I use my Power Pack to Top it up if I'm staying put for a second night.
Now I HAVE drilled some extra ventilation holes in my small inverter to aid air flow cooling. But this all works for me.
BUT have to agree a Proper Plug connection is by far the best solution.

 

[Silver sprinter]

Agnes calm down, that's nice

 

[trevskoda]

I use the heavy duty cigy/usb sockets and thick wiring ,these usb combos can be bought of ebay.

 

[mistericeman]

I use the heavy duty cigy/usb sockets and thick wiring ,these usb combos can be bought of ebay.

Best will in the world chap .....theyre NOT that heavy duty ....soft plastic melts soon as it gets even slightly warm ....the Bakelite DIN type are far better at dealing with anything like sensible draw OR go the anderson socket type .

My 300w inverter was happy as larry whilst charging my video camera ....however the 3000w one is best wired direct to battery bank directly via a fuse lol

 

[trevskoda]

Best will in the world chap .....theyre NOT that heavy duty ....soft plastic melts soon as it gets even slightly warm ....the Bakelite DIN type are far better at dealing with anything like sensible draw OR go the anderson socket type .

My 300w inverter was happy as larry whilst charging my video camera ....however the 3000w one is best wired direct to battery bank directly via a fuse lol

From what i can recall there ok to 20ah but i do agree the bakelite ones will be a good job.
I have only used mine to charge phone / phablet and a 10 inch tv,cant see a l/top pulling to much power to charge.
I would not run a inverter of a socket but wire direct to batt via a fused link.

 

[mistericeman]

From what i can recall there ok to 20ah but i do agree the bakelite ones will be a good job.
I have only used mine to charge phone / phablet and a 10 inch tv,cant see a l/top pulling to much power to charge.
I would not run a inverter of a socket but wire direct to batt via a fused link.

Don't get me wrong.... I've a couple fitted in the transit BUT wouldn't plug In much more than phone chargers/tv power supply....
when you look at the space terminals on the rear they are a tad cheap plastic....
mind as long as fused properly... shudnt be probs.