electronics advice on 12vdc to 120ac power inverters

[cessnajfb]

Hi,
Need some electronic advice here. Want to power my laptop in my auto and am looking at power inverters (true sine vs modified). My laptop power supply outputs 19v 3.42amps. How many watts would you recommend and does true sine vs modified matter once it goes thru my stock power supply (ac to converter to 19v dc)?


Specific brand recommendations are also welcome.

Thanks in advance,

Frank

[Gary Warner]

You'll need about 65 watts for the computer. I find cheap inverters about 60% efficent, better ones at about 80%. I'd say, to be safe about not running the inverter too close to its max, I'd go for 150 watts or more.

[cessnajfb]

Thanks Gary. Does it matter if it's a true sine wave or modified sine wave if the power is going thru an ac to dc converter?

You'll need about 65 watts for the computer. I find cheap inverters about 60% efficent, better ones at about 80%. I'd say, to be safe about not running the inverter too close to its max, I'd go for 150 watts or more.

[Gary Warner]

Thanks Gary. Does it matter if it's a true sine wave or modified sine wave if the power is going thru an ac to dc converter?
Yes. The sine versions are the usually most efficient. This can be splitting hairs as much of the efficiency has to do with over all circuit design.

[z-matrix]

Hi,
Need some electronic advice here. Want to power my laptop in my auto and am looking at power inverters (true sine vs modified). My laptop power supply outputs 19v 3.42amps. How many watts would you recommend and does true sine vs modified matter once it goes thru my stock power supply (ac to converter to 19v dc)?


Specific brand recommendations are also welcome.

Thanks in advance,

Frank

you only need 1 inverter, 10-15V => 19V inverter

what a co-incident, i just put a few to my assembling queue
it will be about $50

[cessnajfb]

Gateways 12v => 19v inverter is $99. If I am going to pay that much I thought might as well get a dc to ac inverter that I can use for other ac devices. How much are yours and do they have the right plug to plug into a gateway laptop?

you only need 1 inverter, 10-15V => 19V inverter

what a co-incident, i just put a few to my assembling queue
it will be about $50

[z-matrix]

Gateways 12v => 19v inverter is $99. If I am going to pay that much I thought might as well get a dc to ac inverter that I can use for other ac devices. How much are yours and do they have the right plug to plug into a gateway laptop?

Sure its a bit expensive for $100, you can get a dc to ac inverter for less and use it for other things too, it will only reduce efficiency a bit, but you can use your existing charger.

That connector thing is a little problematic, i can only use connectors i can get in the shop, so currently is ok only for users having a dead charger, or if it can be tested to fit the laptop.

there are some cases the connector seems to be ok, but if you plug it in it won't fit ;/

Z