On Fri, 26 Dec 2003 16:45:01 GMT, "Fred Miller"
wrote:

Slightly Off topic but I know someone here can answer the question.

I am trying to run a Dell Inspiron 5100 in my truck using a small inverter
but all I do is blow fuses in the truck. This is a 6 month old Chev 1500 in
excellent condition.

My "brick" 110 V power supply reads:

AC 100-240 V - 103-109 VA 50-60Hz
DC 20 V 4.5 A

What size inverter in watts do I need to use with this power supply?
Can a cigar lighter outlet supply the required power?

TIA for your help.



109VA = Volt-Amperes = about 110 watts, give or take a few. You need
at least a 150 watt inverter, 300's are cheap and more useful and
won't be overloaded. I recommend the 300 watt Tripplite by name
because anything plugged into a Tripplite anything has a $50K
insurance policy plugged into it. A piece of Chinese crap from the
Shack does not. I've never had a Tripplite product fail, for any
reason. There's a 500W inverter that regularly goes into overload
running my stepvan shop out on the road, every day. If I can't tear
it up, you can't either.....(c; Tripplites are the best, hands down.

Now, let's talk about those durn fuses!

120 watts at 12 Volts is 120/12 = 10 Amps. How big was that fuse?
The 300 watt inverter needs about 360/12 = 30 amps at full
load....leaving a little to keep the fuse from blowing just because
you tried to start something.

Look at the fuse on the inverter, itself. If it has a 30A
fuse.....the circuit it plugs into must also have 30 amps of capacity
and a 30A fuse, too! Sound logical?

If the inverter blows the fuse with nothing plugged into it, even a 5A
fuse....IT'S TOAST! Time to junk the Chinese crap and go buy one of
those slick Tripplite inverters I've never been able to trash!....


Larry W4CSC

NNNN

There is a man who makes power supplies for laptops. I cant find his address a
present. Some one else might have it.

I also saw an add for an APU for mobile stuff in an add for Circuit city or
some other Sunday add. I'll try and find it. It charged the laptop, PDA &
cell phone, from 120 ac, 12 v dc and airplanes for around $100.00.

Mike

There is a man who makes power supplies for laptops. I cant find his address a
present. Some one else might have it.

I also saw an add for an APU for mobile stuff in an add for Circuit city or
some other Sunday add. I'll try and find it. It charged the laptop, PDA &
cell phone, from 120 ac, 12 v dc and airplanes for around $100.00.

Mike

"Fred Miller" wrote in message ...
Slightly Off topic but I know someone here can answer the question.

I am trying to run a Dell Inspiron 5100 in my truck using a small inverter
but all I do is blow fuses in the truck. This is a 6 month old Chev 1500 in
excellent condition.

My "brick" 110 V power supply reads:

AC 100-240 V - 103-109 VA 50-60Hz
DC 20 V 4.5 A

What size inverter in watts do I need to use with this power supply?
Can a cigar lighter outlet supply the required power?

TIA for your help.

Whether in a truck or a boat, it's inefficient to convert DC to AC
back to DC. You'd be better off powering a tower or laptop computer
directly from the DC off the vehicle. A trip to Radio Shack should
provide all the parts needed. An AT power supply for a tower computer
has +12V, -12V, +5V, -5V, and ground. For the +12V and -12V, you will
need to filter and regulate the DC feed from your battery bank. The
+5V and -5V can be derived from your filtered 12V side, just step the
voltage down via a stepdown transformer and regulate it. Make sure to
filter the ground as well or gremlins will get your electronics. Now
take the wires from your existing PC power supply and connect them to
your new power supply. This is overly simplified, but I think the
whole project can be built from schematics found in the Radio Shack
project books. Laptops are a little bit trickier. Find the voltage
rating of the battery, then step the 12V DC of the vehicle to the
proper voltage. The tricky part is determining if the voltage
regulator is built into the battery or the laptop itself. You may
have to make the voltage regulator yourself. If you don't need the
regulator, connect your new power supply to the battery contact pads
on the laptop. Just remember that you will definately void any
warranty doing this.

Dan Schiro
M/V Sea Ranch
Pensacola Sail and Power Squadron

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

On 30 Dec 2003 10:32:28 -0800,
Dan wrote:
"Fred Miller" wrote in message ...
Slightly Off topic but I know someone here can answer the question.

I am trying to run a Dell Inspiron 5100 in my truck using a small inverter
but all I do is blow fuses in the truck. This is a 6 month old Chev 1500 in
excellent condition.

My "brick" 110 V power supply reads:

AC 100-240 V - 103-109 VA 50-60Hz
DC 20 V 4.5 A

What size inverter in watts do I need to use with this power supply?
Can a cigar lighter outlet supply the required power?

TIA for your help.

Whether in a truck or a boat, it's inefficient to convert DC to AC
back to DC. You'd be better off powering a tower or laptop computer
directly from the DC off the vehicle. A trip to Radio Shack should
provide all the parts needed. An AT power supply for a tower computer
has +12V, -12V, +5V, -5V, and ground. For the +12V and -12V, you will
need to filter and regulate the DC feed from your battery bank. The
+5V and -5V can be derived from your filtered 12V side, just step the
voltage down via a stepdown transformer and regulate it. Make sure to
filter the ground as well or gremlins will get your electronics. Now
take the wires from your existing PC power supply and connect them to
your new power supply. This is overly simplified, but I think the
whole project can be built from schematics found in the Radio Shack
project books. Laptops are a little bit trickier. Find the voltage
rating of the battery, then step the 12V DC of the vehicle to the
proper voltage. The tricky part is determining if the voltage
regulator is built into the battery or the laptop itself. You may
have to make the voltage regulator yourself. If you don't need the
regulator, connect your new power supply to the battery contact pads
on the laptop. Just remember that you will definately void any
warranty doing this.

Dan Schiro
M/V Sea Ranch
Pensacola Sail and Power Squadron


In order to use a transformer to step the voltage down, you must by
definition be using AC. A transformer doesn't work with a DC level.


Rather than go to the hassle of designing and building your own
powersupplies, you can buy std AT style supplies that take 12VDC as an
input, but usually in limited power forms, don't try powering your 500W
game monster machine from one. Expect to pay $200 and up for one.

For the laptop, most manufacturers make a 12V car powersupply as an
option. If not, then Targus among others, will happily sell you one.

The downside to low voltage DC of course, is the I2R losses in the
cables, 120VAC may lose some in the translation from DC-AC, but it has
the advantage of low loss with relatively small gauge wire.



-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.2.3 (GNU/Linux)

iD8DBQE/8meQd90bcYOAWPYRAuUoAKCkpe7G1QMqI69rHIY/NDsUMufRMwCg35tZ
uQMzGFjAHt6OJ/BpercEcYM=
=jt/b
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

--
Jim Richardson http://www.eskimo.com/~warlock
Those who live by the sword are shot by those who don't.

FOR $55.00 UDS you can my a PW-70A which takes 12v dc and has all the
output for you computer..look at:

http://www.logicsupply.com/product_i...roducts_id/118

I've been running only for 4 months.

Hanz


Jim Richardson wrote:
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

On 30 Dec 2003 10:32:28 -0800,
Dan wrote:

"Fred Miller" wrote in message ...

Slightly Off topic but I know someone here can answer the question.

I am trying to run a Dell Inspiron 5100 in my truck using a small inverter
but all I do is blow fuses in the truck. This is a 6 month old Chev 1500 in
excellent condition.

My "brick" 110 V power supply reads:

AC 100-240 V - 103-109 VA 50-60Hz
DC 20 V 4.5 A

What size inverter in watts do I need to use with this power supply?
Can a cigar lighter outlet supply the required power?

TIA for your help.

Whether in a truck or a boat, it's inefficient to convert DC to AC
back to DC. You'd be better off powering a tower or laptop computer
directly from the DC off the vehicle. A trip to Radio Shack should
provide all the parts needed. An AT power supply for a tower computer
has +12V, -12V, +5V, -5V, and ground. For the +12V and -12V, you will
need to filter and regulate the DC feed from your battery bank. The
+5V and -5V can be derived from your filtered 12V side, just step the
voltage down via a stepdown transformer and regulate it. Make sure to
filter the ground as well or gremlins will get your electronics. Now
take the wires from your existing PC power supply and connect them to
your new power supply. This is overly simplified, but I think the
whole project can be built from schematics found in the Radio Shack
project books. Laptops are a little bit trickier. Find the voltage
rating of the battery, then step the 12V DC of the vehicle to the
proper voltage. The tricky part is determining if the voltage
regulator is built into the battery or the laptop itself. You may
have to make the voltage regulator yourself. If you don't need the
regulator, connect your new power supply to the battery contact pads
on the laptop. Just remember that you will definately void any
warranty doing this.

Dan Schiro
M/V Sea Ranch
Pensacola Sail and Power Squadron



In order to use a transformer to step the voltage down, you must by
definition be using AC. A transformer doesn't work with a DC level.


Rather than go to the hassle of designing and building your own
powersupplies, you can buy std AT style supplies that take 12VDC as an
input, but usually in limited power forms, don't try powering your 500W
game monster machine from one. Expect to pay $200 and up for one.

For the laptop, most manufacturers make a 12V car powersupply as an
option. If not, then Targus among others, will happily sell you one.

The downside to low voltage DC of course, is the I2R losses in the
cables, 120VAC may lose some in the translation from DC-AC, but it has
the advantage of low loss with relatively small gauge wire.



-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.2.3 (GNU/Linux)

iD8DBQE/8meQd90bcYOAWPYRAuUoAKCkpe7G1QMqI69rHIY/NDsUMufRMwCg35tZ
uQMzGFjAHt6OJ/BpercEcYM=
=jt/b
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 06:25:43 -0500,
hanz wrote:
FOR $55.00 UDS you can my a PW-70A which takes 12v dc and has all the
output for you computer..look at:

http://www.logicsupply.com/product_i...roducts_id/118

I've been running only for 4 months.

Hanz


That will work fine, provided your power requirements are 100W



Jim Richardson wrote:
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

On 30 Dec 2003 10:32:28 -0800,
Dan wrote:

"Fred Miller" wrote in message ...

Slightly Off topic but I know someone here can answer the question.

I am trying to run a Dell Inspiron 5100 in my truck using a small inverter
but all I do is blow fuses in the truck. This is a 6 month old Chev 1500 in
excellent condition.

My "brick" 110 V power supply reads:

AC 100-240 V - 103-109 VA 50-60Hz
DC 20 V 4.5 A

What size inverter in watts do I need to use with this power supply?
Can a cigar lighter outlet supply the required power?

TIA for your help.

Whether in a truck or a boat, it's inefficient to convert DC to AC
back to DC. You'd be better off powering a tower or laptop computer
directly from the DC off the vehicle. A trip to Radio Shack should
provide all the parts needed. An AT power supply for a tower computer
has +12V, -12V, +5V, -5V, and ground. For the +12V and -12V, you will
need to filter and regulate the DC feed from your battery bank. The
+5V and -5V can be derived from your filtered 12V side, just step the
voltage down via a stepdown transformer and regulate it. Make sure to
filter the ground as well or gremlins will get your electronics. Now
take the wires from your existing PC power supply and connect them to
your new power supply. This is overly simplified, but I think the
whole project can be built from schematics found in the Radio Shack
project books. Laptops are a little bit trickier. Find the voltage
rating of the battery, then step the 12V DC of the vehicle to the
proper voltage. The tricky part is determining if the voltage
regulator is built into the battery or the laptop itself. You may
have to make the voltage regulator yourself. If you don't need the
regulator, connect your new power supply to the battery contact pads
on the laptop. Just remember that you will definately void any
warranty doing this.

Dan Schiro
M/V Sea Ranch
Pensacola Sail and Power Squadron



In order to use a transformer to step the voltage down, you must by
definition be using AC. A transformer doesn't work with a DC level.


Rather than go to the hassle of designing and building your own
powersupplies, you can buy std AT style supplies that take 12VDC as an
input, but usually in limited power forms, don't try powering your 500W
game monster machine from one. Expect to pay $200 and up for one.

For the laptop, most manufacturers make a 12V car powersupply as an
option. If not, then Targus among others, will happily sell you one.

The downside to low voltage DC of course, is the I2R losses in the
cables, 120VAC may lose some in the translation from DC-AC, but it has
the advantage of low loss with relatively small gauge wire.



-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.2.3 (GNU/Linux)

iD8DBQE/8meQd90bcYOAWPYRAuUoAKCkpe7G1QMqI69rHIY/NDsUMufRMwCg35tZ
uQMzGFjAHt6OJ/BpercEcYM=
=jt/b
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----




-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.2.3 (GNU/Linux)

iD8DBQE/8y7+d90bcYOAWPYRAqSDAJ9JDBhAt/1MvskrvEcIZeAmDVCv1wCfdPAW
isMKA9pMKSVoob5g2swpdSE=
=Sf7n
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

--
Jim Richardson http://www.eskimo.com/~warlock
We aim to please. Ourselves, mostly, but we do aim to please.
Anthony DeBoer

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 06:25:43 -0500,
hanz wrote:
FOR $55.00 UDS you can my a PW-70A which takes 12v dc and has all the
output for you computer..look at:

http://www.logicsupply.com/product_i...roducts_id/118

I've been running only for 4 months.

Hanz


That will work fine, provided your power requirements are 100W



Jim Richardson wrote:
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

On 30 Dec 2003 10:32:28 -0800,
Dan wrote:

"Fred Miller" wrote in message ...

Slightly Off topic but I know someone here can answer the question.

I am trying to run a Dell Inspiron 5100 in my truck using a small inverter
but all I do is blow fuses in the truck. This is a 6 month old Chev 1500 in
excellent condition.

My "brick" 110 V power supply reads:

AC 100-240 V - 103-109 VA 50-60Hz
DC 20 V 4.5 A

What size inverter in watts do I need to use with this power supply?
Can a cigar lighter outlet supply the required power?

TIA for your help.

Whether in a truck or a boat, it's inefficient to convert DC to AC
back to DC. You'd be better off powering a tower or laptop computer
directly from the DC off the vehicle. A trip to Radio Shack should
provide all the parts needed. An AT power supply for a tower computer
has +12V, -12V, +5V, -5V, and ground. For the +12V and -12V, you will
need to filter and regulate the DC feed from your battery bank. The
+5V and -5V can be derived from your filtered 12V side, just step the
voltage down via a stepdown transformer and regulate it. Make sure to
filter the ground as well or gremlins will get your electronics. Now
take the wires from your existing PC power supply and connect them to
your new power supply. This is overly simplified, but I think the
whole project can be built from schematics found in the Radio Shack
project books. Laptops are a little bit trickier. Find the voltage
rating of the battery, then step the 12V DC of the vehicle to the
proper voltage. The tricky part is determining if the voltage
regulator is built into the battery or the laptop itself. You may
have to make the voltage regulator yourself. If you don't need the
regulator, connect your new power supply to the battery contact pads
on the laptop. Just remember that you will definately void any
warranty doing this.

Dan Schiro
M/V Sea Ranch
Pensacola Sail and Power Squadron



In order to use a transformer to step the voltage down, you must by
definition be using AC. A transformer doesn't work with a DC level.


Rather than go to the hassle of designing and building your own
powersupplies, you can buy std AT style supplies that take 12VDC as an
input, but usually in limited power forms, don't try powering your 500W
game monster machine from one. Expect to pay $200 and up for one.

For the laptop, most manufacturers make a 12V car powersupply as an
option. If not, then Targus among others, will happily sell you one.

The downside to low voltage DC of course, is the I2R losses in the
cables, 120VAC may lose some in the translation from DC-AC, but it has
the advantage of low loss with relatively small gauge wire.



-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.2.3 (GNU/Linux)

iD8DBQE/8meQd90bcYOAWPYRAuUoAKCkpe7G1QMqI69rHIY/NDsUMufRMwCg35tZ
uQMzGFjAHt6OJ/BpercEcYM=
=jt/b
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----




-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.2.3 (GNU/Linux)

iD8DBQE/8y7+d90bcYOAWPYRAqSDAJ9JDBhAt/1MvskrvEcIZeAmDVCv1wCfdPAW
isMKA9pMKSVoob5g2swpdSE=
=Sf7n
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

--
Jim Richardson http://www.eskimo.com/~warlock
We aim to please. Ourselves, mostly, but we do aim to please.
Anthony DeBoer

FOR $55.00 UDS you can my a PW-70A which takes 12v dc and has all the
output for you computer..look at:

http://www.logicsupply.com/product_i...roducts_id/118

I've been running only for 4 months.

Hanz


Jim Richardson wrote:
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

On 30 Dec 2003 10:32:28 -0800,
Dan wrote:

"Fred Miller" wrote in message ...

Slightly Off topic but I know someone here can answer the question.

I am trying to run a Dell Inspiron 5100 in my truck using a small inverter
but all I do is blow fuses in the truck. This is a 6 month old Chev 1500 in
excellent condition.

My "brick" 110 V power supply reads:

AC 100-240 V - 103-109 VA 50-60Hz
DC 20 V 4.5 A

What size inverter in watts do I need to use with this power supply?
Can a cigar lighter outlet supply the required power?

TIA for your help.

Whether in a truck or a boat, it's inefficient to convert DC to AC
back to DC. You'd be better off powering a tower or laptop computer
directly from the DC off the vehicle. A trip to Radio Shack should
provide all the parts needed. An AT power supply for a tower computer
has +12V, -12V, +5V, -5V, and ground. For the +12V and -12V, you will
need to filter and regulate the DC feed from your battery bank. The
+5V and -5V can be derived from your filtered 12V side, just step the
voltage down via a stepdown transformer and regulate it. Make sure to
filter the ground as well or gremlins will get your electronics. Now
take the wires from your existing PC power supply and connect them to
your new power supply. This is overly simplified, but I think the
whole project can be built from schematics found in the Radio Shack
project books. Laptops are a little bit trickier. Find the voltage
rating of the battery, then step the 12V DC of the vehicle to the
proper voltage. The tricky part is determining if the voltage
regulator is built into the battery or the laptop itself. You may
have to make the voltage regulator yourself. If you don't need the
regulator, connect your new power supply to the battery contact pads
on the laptop. Just remember that you will definately void any
warranty doing this.

Dan Schiro
M/V Sea Ranch
Pensacola Sail and Power Squadron



In order to use a transformer to step the voltage down, you must by
definition be using AC. A transformer doesn't work with a DC level.


Rather than go to the hassle of designing and building your own
powersupplies, you can buy std AT style supplies that take 12VDC as an
input, but usually in limited power forms, don't try powering your 500W
game monster machine from one. Expect to pay $200 and up for one.

For the laptop, most manufacturers make a 12V car powersupply as an
option. If not, then Targus among others, will happily sell you one.

The downside to low voltage DC of course, is the I2R losses in the
cables, 120VAC may lose some in the translation from DC-AC, but it has
the advantage of low loss with relatively small gauge wire.



-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.2.3 (GNU/Linux)

iD8DBQE/8meQd90bcYOAWPYRAuUoAKCkpe7G1QMqI69rHIY/NDsUMufRMwCg35tZ
uQMzGFjAHt6OJ/BpercEcYM=
=jt/b
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

Jim Richardson wrote in message ...
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

On 30 Dec 2003 10:32:28 -0800,
Dan wrote:
"Fred Miller" wrote in message ...
Slightly Off topic but I know someone here can answer the question.

I am trying to run a Dell Inspiron 5100 in my truck using a small inverter
but all I do is blow fuses in the truck. This is a 6 month old Chev 1500 in
excellent condition.

My "brick" 110 V power supply reads:

AC 100-240 V - 103-109 VA 50-60Hz
DC 20 V 4.5 A

What size inverter in watts do I need to use with this power supply?
Can a cigar lighter outlet supply the required power?

TIA for your help.

Whether in a truck or a boat, it's inefficient to convert DC to AC
back to DC. You'd be better off powering a tower or laptop computer
directly from the DC off the vehicle. A trip to Radio Shack should
provide all the parts needed. An AT power supply for a tower computer
has +12V, -12V, +5V, -5V, and ground. For the +12V and -12V, you will
need to filter and regulate the DC feed from your battery bank. The
+5V and -5V can be derived from your filtered 12V side, just step the
voltage down via a stepdown transformer and regulate it. Make sure to
filter the ground as well or gremlins will get your electronics. Now
take the wires from your existing PC power supply and connect them to
your new power supply. This is overly simplified, but I think the
whole project can be built from schematics found in the Radio Shack
project books. Laptops are a little bit trickier. Find the voltage
rating of the battery, then step the 12V DC of the vehicle to the
proper voltage. The tricky part is determining if the voltage
regulator is built into the battery or the laptop itself. You may
have to make the voltage regulator yourself. If you don't need the
regulator, connect your new power supply to the battery contact pads
on the laptop. Just remember that you will definately void any
warranty doing this.

Dan Schiro
M/V Sea Ranch
Pensacola Sail and Power Squadron


In order to use a transformer to step the voltage down, you must by
definition be using AC. A transformer doesn't work with a DC level.


Rather than go to the hassle of designing and building your own
powersupplies, you can buy std AT style supplies that take 12VDC as an
input, but usually in limited power forms, don't try powering your 500W
game monster machine from one. Expect to pay $200 and up for one.

For the laptop, most manufacturers make a 12V car powersupply as an
option. If not, then Targus among others, will happily sell you one.

The downside to low voltage DC of course, is the I2R losses in the
cables, 120VAC may lose some in the translation from DC-AC, but it has
the advantage of low loss with relatively small gauge wire.



-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v1.2.3 (GNU/Linux)

iD8DBQE/8meQd90bcYOAWPYRAuUoAKCkpe7G1QMqI69rHIY/NDsUMufRMwCg35tZ
uQMzGFjAHt6OJ/BpercEcYM=
=jt/b
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----



Jim,
Good catch about the transformers. A simple analog voltage divider would work.