Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!mips!samsung!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!unix.cis.pitt.edu!dpbst3 From: dpbst3@unix.cis.pitt.edu (David P Brennan) Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops Subject: Re: Can Laptops be powered from Car Batteries? Summary: Voltage inverter Message-ID: <128961@unix.cis.pitt.edu> Date: 16 May 91 14:25:18 GMT References: <18820001@hpspdra.spd.HP.COM> Organization: University of Pittsburgh Lines: 27 In article cpetterb@glacier.sim.es.com (Cary Petterborg) writes: >In article <18820001@hpspdra.spd.HP.COM> tomm@hpspdra.spd.HP.COM (Tom Menten) writes: > >I saw in a magazine (or catalog) a converter which you could plug into >a car cigarette lighter and get 110V AC out. Anyone else know about >one of these things? Do they work very well (low wattage output if >I remember), or do they drain the car battery too much? Does anyone >know where you can get one? > The thing you're talking about is a "voltage inverter" - Radio Shack has been selling these things for years, as have any electronics supply companies. All it is (basically) is a transformer that steps 12V to 110V with a few rectifiers and assorted filters. Not having used one, I can't say how well it would work for an extended period. I would assume (and I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong :-) ) that it would be most efficent if the alternator were running from whatever 12V source you're using. Tough on a boat in the middle of a lake, eh? :-) Dave Brennan UPitt SLIS dpbst3@unix.cis.pitt.edu +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Question: If you were locked in a room with Saddam, the Ayatollah, and a lawyer and your gun only had two bullets, who would you shoot? Answer: Shoot the lawyer twice. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++