Cigarette lighter adapter for laptops.

[Spazosaurus]

Ok, so some might know where I coming from. Does some device exist that allows one to use the cigarette lighter jack in a vehicle to power a lappy?

[Nephilim]

well i was just doing some research there and run across this, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cigar_lighter_receptacle

These sockets were not originally designed to provide electrical power, and are not an ideal power connector for several reasons, notably the fact that three sizes exist (two for 12 V DC and one for the older 6 V DC systems) and the mating of the different sized 12 V DC plugs and jacks is problematic. Because of this, and the small gauge wiring sometimes used, the power connections they provide are sometimes unreliable and not suitable for high power devices. Despite these limitations, they are often used for many purposes; for example, electric razors, portable spotlights, laptop computers, mobile phones, PDAs, USB adapters, digital audio players, or even thermoelectric coolers. For devices that run on regular line voltage, a plug-in inverter will convert to alternating current, and transform it up to 120 or 240 volts AC

so in other word yeah the they exist but as the article part in bold indicates, is if you want to risk it.

http://www.laptopsforless.com/laptop-accessories/dc-ac-power-inverter/

I don't think the actual charger will be a prob, i think the power going into it will pose some difficulty, as it is with PC's power supplies a good quality charger may have a voltage/current regulator on both sides of the equation, or not if you unlucky, if you sure you can have a steady 12v (although i think car batteries are actually 13.8v or sum) I see no problem, short of a short (ha ha electrical joke!) of course.

[Arcmanov]

Nah man, don't go through all that.  You can just get a DC-to-AC inverter.  One end plugs into your car's cigarette lighter, and the inverter
itself will provide a normal 120 V 2-prong or 3-prong power outlet.  APC has a product just for this application.



OK, this is not exactly what I was referring to, but it will do what you want.
I want to get one of those eventually.






EDIT:  THIS is what I was speaking about

[W1nTry]

Even so, the voltage is one thing... the WATTAGE is another... laptops these days eat up quite a bit of power.. esp dual core lappys... so you're going to need the inverter to handle well over 100Watts...

[Crixx_Creww]

well i think the ideal use for such a thing would be to CHARGE a laptop batter using this device as opposed to using the device while its plugged it.

Yu wont have to worry about wattage while just charging.

[Spazosaurus]

Yea boy Arc that is the reaaaaal ting self right there. I'll be snagging one of those asap. Thanks. Some interesting high power devices on that page you post too WASD.

According to the specs on this one, its 150watts. Any ideas on the amount of power a decent modern laptop (read 17" Turion 64) will draw?

[Arcmanov]

Well, the power output from my Dell Inspiron adapter is 20V x 4A = 80 W max.
The laptop itself cannot draw more than that, or else it would fry the adaptor.

So I would say anywhere from 60 W to 100 W would be the max power draw for most laptops.
There are a few, like them monster gaming-beast laptops that would fall outside this envelope,
but I think you safe with the APC inverter.  Its rated up to 150 W max output.