parklife2uk Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Inspired by Allan (the plumber) today I have completed my portable 12v power supply - I'll upload some photos soon!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan the Plumber Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Looking forward to it Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parklife2uk Posted May 5, 2014 Author Share Posted May 5, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parklife2uk Posted May 5, 2014 Author Share Posted May 5, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parklife2uk Posted May 5, 2014 Author Share Posted May 5, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parklife2uk Posted May 5, 2014 Author Share Posted May 5, 2014 The lower compartment contains the 12v Leisure battery which is connected to a main on/off switch. The smaller switch allows for a choice between charging devices - although I only have a 240v CTEK charger at the moment. The push button switch is for the battery tester with the voltage level indicated by the LED's. Any questions - please ask! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Hi Steve, used the same bit of kit myself! 12v Baz's battery and a 300w 230v inverter in the base, EQ5 mount (less cables) in foam in the middle section and the rest in the top drawer. I have only one 12v out for the mount and 230v for the laptop. Nothing like you're wiring though!, nice bit of kit mate! Cheers Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parklife2uk Posted May 5, 2014 Author Share Posted May 5, 2014 Thanks Ron. Is it possible to power a laptop straight from the 12v supply? I've been looking on eBay at some cables that will do the job but everyone else seems to go for the inverter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Not as far as I know Steve, I've still to wire up the inverter only just got it! Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perkil8r Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 I've got a 12v adapter for my laptop, I run it off a slave battery in the van for 12hrs no worries. Not sure where it's from as it came to me via Sheila. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parklife2uk Posted May 5, 2014 Author Share Posted May 5, 2014 What's the make and model of your laptop Ron? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Packard Bell New 95, 19v.. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kheldar Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Thanks Ron. Is it possible to power a laptop straight from the 12v supply? I've been looking on eBay at some cables that will do the job but everyone else seems to go for the inverter? Yes Very few people actually use inverters ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parklife2uk Posted May 5, 2014 Author Share Posted May 5, 2014 Ron, There's a few on ebay, but not sure of your exact model: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xpackard+bell+Laptop+Power+DC+Adapter+Car+Charger&_nkw=packard+bell+Laptop+Power+DC+Adapter+Car+Charger&_sacat=0&_from=R40 Not that it matters if you have the inverter, but would like to know how you get on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+TasKiNG Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Looks great Steve. Neat job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 Will do Steve, hope to do it this week.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan the Plumber Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 very smart Steve very professional Concerning inverters, I use one of Baz's batteries with a 240V inverter. I wait for laptop battery to get low plug in battery and over about an hour or so the battery recharges, unplug Baz battery and turn off inverter back on to battery power, have had no power issues with this and from what my plug in volt meter says running the 240V inverter doesn't seem to flatten the Baz battery at all. Not sure if the 12V laptop power supply would recharge laptop battery? (Stephen !!?? you know these things) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xanthic Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 I use this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/80W-DC-12V-Car-Charger-Power-Supply-Adapter-For-Laptop-Notebook-DELL-IBM-HP-Sony-/320776357732?pt=UK_Computing_LaptopAccessories_PowerSupplies&hash=item4aafc2c764 It's got an adjustable voltage output and a selection of connectors so should suit most machines. I don't use the laptop battery in the field, just take it off if possible. Be wary of using mains voltage in a dewy environment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kheldar Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 (edited) very smart Steve very professional Concerning inverters, I use one of Baz's batteries with a 240V inverter. I wait for laptop battery to get low plug in battery and over about an hour or so the battery recharges, unplug Baz battery and turn off inverter back on to battery power, have had no power issues with this and from what my plug in volt meter says running the 240V inverter doesn't seem to flatten the Baz battery at all. Not sure if the 12V laptop power supply would recharge laptop battery? (Stephen !!?? you know these things) The 12V cable chargers the battery no problems. Think about it this way Scenario A Baz Battery - 12V DC Inverter - Steps up 12V DC to 230V AC Laptop Power Lead (AC) - Steps down 230V AC to 12V DC (or 14V DC or 19V DC depending on laptop) Scenario B Baz Battery - 12V DC 12V DC Power Lead - Steps up 12V DC to 12V DC (or 14V DC or 19V DC depending on laptop) Edited May 6, 2014 by Kheldar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kheldar Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Be wary of using mains voltage in a dewy environment. This Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Kheldar Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 There was another epic thread on this here - http://www.eastmidlandsstargazers.org.uk/topic/7015-power-supply/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stash Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Steve great job - one minor point I would use a rubber grommet for the "loose" connection as per the last picture else you might become "smoking" . E.G. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/220936526273?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+RonC Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 (edited) Thought about returning my inverter, (still inthe box) and getting one of those 12v to 19v convertors. Looks a lot safer.Will see how I get on! Thanks for all the info! Cheers Ron Edited May 6, 2014 by Ron Clarke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parklife2uk Posted May 6, 2014 Author Share Posted May 6, 2014 There was another epic thread on this here - http://www.eastmidlandsstargazers.org.uk/topic/7015-power-supply/ This was the thread I read a while back that convinced to go down the route of a simple 12v connector to the laptop instead of the inverter. Was a very helpful page! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parklife2uk Posted May 6, 2014 Author Share Posted May 6, 2014 Steve great job - one minor point I would use a rubber grommet for the "loose" connection as per the last picture else you might become "smoking" . E.G. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/220936526273?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108 Thanks Clive - are you recommending this to stop water ingress? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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