Message Forums

Help, I bought a laptop to use whilst I am away in my 'Bambi'.  I bought from Maplins a transformer? which goes into a cigar lighter wired to my 'leisure' battery.  The first time I plugged it in it blew a fuse, 10 amp?  Do I need a stronger fuse, was I just unlucky and need to try again or should I just read a good book instead of playing on the computer?

my laptop is a very large one but I am so not technical that I don't understand amps watts etc. What is an inverter, that may be what I bought, I have to set it at 19?  All I know is that I know nothing. Thanks for your help.

Hi Sue

If you have a look at aldi they have a 12v extention lead with usb socket which would charge your laptop from cigar lighter.

Gerry

When we go away, I run my lappy from a jump start pack.  When we are on site I charge the jump start pack and when we are not hooked up, I can use that to power the lappy.  Less chance of any damage to the van and it can even be used outside.

Sara

Quote: Originally posted by soupersue on 18/5/2010

---

my laptop is a very large one but I am so not technical that I don't understand amps watts etc. What is an inverter, that may be what I bought, I have to set it at 19?  All I know is that I know nothing. Thanks for your help.

---

Quote: Originally posted by neilmac on 28/5/2010

---

Quote: Originally posted by soupersue on 18/5/2010

---

I have to set it at 19? 

---

A laptop charger like the one you bought is definitely the way to go (no idea why it blew a fuse though) When set to the correct voltage requirement of the laptop - sounds like yours is 19V, they are far more power efficient than an inverter which has to take volts up from 12 to 240 then back down to the 19 you require.

---

I have never quite understood how you get 19vDC from a 12vDC supply; any ideas?

I would say hard wire a 300w inverter and have done with it

edit: to save space