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.

I would think that 20V * 4.5A = 90 watts. Small inverters are not real
efficient (some even have a fan) and the "brick" is not to efficent either
so:

Input power may be more like 90/.75 = 120 watts due to the efficiency of the
"brick".

and 120/0.75 = 160 watts for the inverter.

160 watts / 12 volts = 13 amps (are you fuzed for 10A? Probably need 20A)

This seems quite high. I run a inspiron (old style 266MHz) which only draws
about 5 amps on 12 vDC through an inverter and brick. Kind of cycles
between 2.5A to 5A. It could be all that horsepower of the 5100. Try
slowing it's CPU down (if possible) or at least charging up the batteries
prior to plugging it in.

By the way I use a Prowatt 250 or a real smaller one (size wise with fan -
whole thing plugs into the lighter) rated at 175W.


"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.

I would think that 20V * 4.5A = 90 watts. Small inverters are not real
efficient (some even have a fan) and the "brick" is not to efficent either
so:

Input power may be more like 90/.75 = 120 watts due to the efficiency of the
"brick".

and 120/0.75 = 160 watts for the inverter.

160 watts / 12 volts = 13 amps (are you fuzed for 10A? Probably need 20A)

This seems quite high. I run a inspiron (old style 266MHz) which only draws
about 5 amps on 12 vDC through an inverter and brick. Kind of cycles
between 2.5A to 5A. It could be all that horsepower of the 5100. Try
slowing it's CPU down (if possible) or at least charging up the batteries
prior to plugging it in.

By the way I use a Prowatt 250 or a real smaller one (size wise with fan -
whole thing plugs into the lighter) rated at 175W.


"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.

x-no-archive:yes


"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.

Why not just get the cigarette lighter connector from Dell? I can't
get one for my Dell Inspiron 600m, but I have one for the Inspiron
2500, and it says

Auto-Air Adapter designed for use with Dell (tm) Lat. C Family & Insp.
2500, 4000, 8000
Input 11-16 Vdc 8 Amp Max. Output 20V 3.5A
Model # DE2035A-259A
Made in USA Protection Class III
0137

LIND Electronics, Inc.
6414 Cambridge St.
Minneapolis, MN 55426

grandma Rosalie

S/V RosalieAnn, Leonardtown, MD
CSY 44 WO #156
http://home.mindspring.com/~gmbeasley/id2.html

x-no-archive:yes


"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.

Why not just get the cigarette lighter connector from Dell? I can't
get one for my Dell Inspiron 600m, but I have one for the Inspiron
2500, and it says

Auto-Air Adapter designed for use with Dell (tm) Lat. C Family & Insp.
2500, 4000, 8000
Input 11-16 Vdc 8 Amp Max. Output 20V 3.5A
Model # DE2035A-259A
Made in USA Protection Class III
0137

LIND Electronics, Inc.
6414 Cambridge St.
Minneapolis, MN 55426

grandma Rosalie

S/V RosalieAnn, Leonardtown, MD
CSY 44 WO #156
http://home.mindspring.com/~gmbeasley/id2.html

If the brick input requirement is 100-240 volts at 109 VA, use a 12
volt to 120 volt inverter rated 250 watts output for a rugged service
life. It will probably take about 10 amps on a 14 volt source like a
cigar lighter. Your car should fuse the cigar lighter at this
current (10A) or maybe 15 amps. You start up the inverter with the PC
off to stagger the startup surge. You could still be unlucky, if the
brick is switching low on the sine wave.

Brian W

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.

If the brick input requirement is 100-240 volts at 109 VA, use a 12
volt to 120 volt inverter rated 250 watts output for a rugged service
life. It will probably take about 10 amps on a 14 volt source like a
cigar lighter. Your car should fuse the cigar lighter at this
current (10A) or maybe 15 amps. You start up the inverter with the PC
off to stagger the startup surge. You could still be unlucky, if the
brick is switching low on the sine wave.

Brian W

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.

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

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

I got a 175 W for work lights and an Inspiron 8200. Works for me, but
that's pretty minimal.

Were I to go full bore and get updated weather charts, downloads via
wireless, etc., I would probably get a small tower for its robustness
and hardwire it into a bigger inverter, say 1500 watts or so. The draw
is mainly for hard drive spin-ups, fans and the monitor, so go LCD and
link it to all plotter/GPS/depth displays.

After all, a laptop is $2K, but an adequate sailor's PC tower could be
$500 or less (small HD, older processor, not excessive RAM). I would
suspect a decent flat-screen LCD of 15" or so would be more expensive
than an "under the nav table" minitower, particularly as a lot of the
guts could be salvaged from other PCs.

The amount of computing power required to display charts, weather data
and so on is greatly exceeded by the current crop of PCs, and the
current crop of proprietary "marine" systems are overpriced. You'd be
better focussing on the connectivity (Iridium, wireless, SSB, and so
on) than the computing power or need for a laptop. Laptops are easy to
steal and easy to take with you, although they don't travel well in an
open boat. Nobody will swipe a generic $500 tower...you could
wirelessly network to a heavily stowed second tower in the lazarette
and back up data and STILL pay less than a fragile laptop...

R.

On Fri, 26 Dec 2003 11:30:37 -0600, "Rick & Linda Bernard"
wrote:

I would think that 20V * 4.5A = 90 watts. Small inverters are not real
efficient (some even have a fan) and the "brick" is not to efficent either
so:

Input power may be more like 90/.75 = 120 watts due to the efficiency of the
"brick".

and 120/0.75 = 160 watts for the inverter.

160 watts / 12 volts = 13 amps (are you fuzed for 10A? Probably need 20A)

This seems quite high. I run a inspiron (old style 266MHz) which only draws
about 5 amps on 12 vDC through an inverter and brick. Kind of cycles
between 2.5A to 5A. It could be all that horsepower of the 5100. Try
slowing it's CPU down (if possible) or at least charging up the batteries
prior to plugging it in.

By the way I use a Prowatt 250 or a real smaller one (size wise with fan -
whole thing plugs into the lighter) rated at 175W.


"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.