12v inverter for laptop?

gotrocks · Oct 9, 2006

Greetings, I did a search and found numerous posts that contain "inverter" after reading for 20-30 min. I did not find an answer to my question.
I want to plug in an inverter to a 15A power outlet in the van, that will keep my laptop running on long trips.

Does the "sine wave" need to be any particular type?
Thanks a mini watt.

Modified Sine Wave Power Inverters ?
Pure Sine Wave Power Inverters

Digital Pure Sine Wave Power Inverters

MrJimi · Oct 9, 2006

Click on your links, they all go to same place? And yes sine wave thing is important.
Jim

gotrocks · Oct 9, 2006

That was quick MrJimi.
Thanks, now... can you tell me how important and which is the one to look for?

MrJimi · Oct 9, 2006

I am very sorry to say that I do know if you use the wrong one, you will smoke your laptop!!
Call a PC repair place that you know and trust and ask them and some members will chime in.
Samsclub has a great selection and very good prices, I have them in my vehicles and camper
Jim

TheKid · Oct 9, 2006

Depending on the brand of your laptop you may just be able to buy a automotive power adapter for it.

randy41 · Oct 9, 2006

i got one at advance auto for about $30 and it works good. i didnt worry about the sine wave thing at all. i use it on a dell inspiron 5100. the 'box' that is in line with the laptop power cord is rated for 100/240 v, 50-60 hz, 1.5 amps. its output is 20v, 4.51 amps. i am guessing that that is dc. if its dc than the frequency is a moot point. an automotive power adapter is much more expensive.

Dozernut · Oct 9, 2006

We got an inverter at Wally World for around $20 that plugs into the cigarette lighter. It converts the 12 volt to 110 volts and we just plug the power converter for the Dell into the inverter. It was in the automotive section and it said on the package it was compatible with laptops. We travel and use MS Streets and Trips on the laptop and have logged quite a few miles using the cheap inverter. The inverter functions fine and has not let us down, wish I could say the same thing about MS S&T.

shvl73 · Oct 9, 2006

I use one I bought from Sams Club. I think they were two in a package fro under $20. Works great with my Averatec Laptop and my HP printer that sits on the back seat. I gave one of the two to a friend before I thought about it, now if the laptop is low on power I have to charge it some before I can plug in the printer. I use it often throughout the week, every week.

hayden · Oct 9, 2006

There's a much easier way to solve the problem, and it's much more efficient on power consumption. Go to Radio Shack and get an iGO power adapter. There are a few different models, but I partiularly like the iGO Juce. It has BOTH an AC power cord AND a DC power cord that will work with a lighter outlet in a car or the power outlets in airplanes. They come with a bunch of power tips that make it work with most any laptop. You can also buy additional adapters for other devices.

These adapters are a bit expensive (around $120), but well worth it in my opinion. I now cary around one power adapter that works on AC or DC and can power/charge my laptop, cell phone, and Treo.

Bob_Skurka · Oct 9, 2006

We use iGo units, they are great for car, airline and home use. We also have 2 inexpensive inverters and have used several computers with them, all without any problems.