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(slightly)les confused
By bob golding, Section Homebrewed Electricity Posted on Fri Sep 17, 2004 at 05:24:33 PM MST
update on my system

ok fixed my ammeter so have got some figures for my system.
inverter off load 0.53 amps
lights 21 watt CFLs (not 11 as i thought) 2.8 amps each
laptop 5.8 amps
radio 1 amp
tv and 1 lamp 11.00 amps
not sure how to work out the efficiency of the laptop but reckon the lights are 62% assuming 1.75 amps at 12 volts is 21 watts =100% 1.75 /2.8 =62%
the laptop is rated at 16 volts 3.16 amps = 50 watts and at the moment is drawing 12 volts 5.8 amps =68 watts so changing to a dedicated inverter for the laptop doesnt seem to be worth itto save 18 watts please correct me if i have the figures wrong maths is not my strong point. bit rusty.
bob golding

(slightly)les confused | 4 comments (4 topical)

Re: (slightly)les confused (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by Parameter on Fri Sep 17, 2004 at 05:45:21 PM MST

Can't you run the laptop on 12v? That would be it... weird to run on 16v... maybe to charge the battery? check if the battery is 12v... then you could just bypass it.

Para

Re: (slightly)les confused (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by TomW on Fri Sep 17, 2004 at 11:07:43 PM MST

para;

I have no less than 4 laptops that run completely from 12 volt batteries directly. 2 thinkpads a CompaQ An NEC and a G4 Ibook will all run off standard 12 VDC. They just seem to not charge the internal batteries with 12 volt dc supply but as these are mostly servers and controllers in stationary service it has worked fine for a good year or more and no damage or problems. A string of Trojan 105s makes a darned good UPS.

Cheers.

TomW

The Truth is the Truth, even if no one believes it; and a lie is a lie even if everyone believes it

[ Parent ]

Re: (slightly)les confused (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by bob golding on Sat Sep 18, 2004 at 01:32:29 AM MST

battery in the laptop is 10.8 volts

[ Parent ]

Re: (slightly)les confused (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by richhagen on Fri Sep 17, 2004 at 10:05:48 PM MST

If your laptop has to have 16V, you may be able to use a dc-dc converter there are various suppliers and you may be able to get one off of e-bay to suit your needs. I've seen 12V battery voltage range to 15V boost converters, and many have adjustable outputs which may allow you to match your needed output. This would probably be more efficient than generating 110AC from your battery and then converting that back to 16V. Look for the input and output voltages, the current rating, and the efficiency of the converter. Rich Hagen
'A Joule saved is a Joule made'

(slightly)les confused | 4 comments (4 topical)

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