Date:         Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:47:13 -0700
Reply-To:     David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: OK to Power a Laptop W/ Inverter?
Comments: To: John Carpenter <jcarp2001@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <75d3f60903200712m4d38aa48re68602ee11e20334@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Take a look at your AC adapter for your laptop. These days computer
power supplies (including AC adapters for laptops) are inverters.
They are mostly designed to accept input AC from 100 - 240V. This
is what I see on my HP AC adapter for my Omnibook.

The inverter you are going to use in your Vanagon probably accepts
DC input of a wide range too. It may be from 11.5 - 16V something like
that. But its output will be at 120V AV regardless what the input DC
voltage is. Since the AC adapter for your laptop can handle 100 - 240V
AC so even if the inverter output is not stable it will be able to
deal with it safely.

The internal power supplies of laptop computers are in fact inverters.
Power supplies of desktop computers are inverters too. Those AC or DC
adapters for laptop computers are inverters as well. They mostly can
accept a wide range of input voltage.

David


--- On Fri, 3/20/09, John Carpenter <jcarp2001@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> From: John Carpenter <jcarp2001@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: OK to Power a Laptop W/ Inverter?
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Friday, March 20, 2009, 7:12 AM
> Hi All,
>
> I know we touched on this a few months ago.
> But I'm Still not sure If it's Safe to Power my
> Laptop with My Van Inverter.
>
> I'd very much appreciate any advise !!!
>
> The Toshiba Tech said it's safe, but ....
>
> I'd Fell a Lot Better
> Hearing from the Experts !!!!  :o)
>
> Thanks So Much !!!
> John C....