[Public-list] inverter
Rod Symmes
harmony at aztec-net.com
Thu Oct 12 12:02:52 PDT 2006
J.
The answer to your question should probably be " Maybe.......it depends on your laptop"
The manufacturer usually says you should buy there grossly overpriced DC adapter......but her is my experience.
I have a Toshiba Satellite 1800 series. It has an AC adapter that puts out 15VDC so I don't worry about feeding it directly with 12vdc even when the alternator is charging at 14.4. Low voltage is not a problem for the Toshiba either - it will not shut itself down until the DC input falls below 11 volts and I shouldn't be draining the battery further than that anyway. I would suggest you check the following and then you should be able to decide for yourself it you want to try your computer on direct DC power.
1.. Check the manual ( you do know what that looks like, don't you.......;-) it should quote min. & max dc input and if it has the low voltage shut down feature and at what voltage.
2.. Check the voltage of the internal battery. That will give you a clue about what min. voltage the computer will tolerate. My power pack is 15vdc but the internal battery is only 10.8, so little surprise that mine will work just fine on 12.? dc. I don't know if my computer will charge it's internal battery when the solar panel has the boat system at 12.8 ( because my internal battery crapped long ago) but I wouldn't be surprised if the 13 or 14 volts while charging would do it fine.
Hope this helps;
Cheers, Rod
~~~~ _/)~~~ _/)_/) ~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~
----- Original Message -----
From: J Bergquist
To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 3:47 PM
Subject: Re: [Public-list] inverter
Thanks bobby. This is very helpful. I was not aware of the difference on the
modified sine wave vs. pure sine wave issue. Given price difference, and my
requirements, I think that modified sine wave should work for me.
One question...my laptop has a dc power supply in its power cord. It
requires 18V or something. Would it be possible for me to use a step-up
transformer or soemthing to power the laptop? Seems to me the laptop should
be pretty okay to deal with a messy AC signal since it is just gonna convert
it to DC anyway.
J
On 10/11/06, Bobby <capricebob at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> See below which I poached from Jack Rabbit Marine: You may wish to
> contact them and speak with a sales rep. They are very helpful. I ended up
> with a pure sine wave XS 400 wt in my boat. I had intended on using my
> laptop and the manufacturer of the laptop said that I couldn't use a
> modified sinewave. If you intend on using sensitive stuff, check with the
> manufacturer to see if the equipment can take modified sinewave.
>
>
> From Jack Rabbit Marine:
> Inverters convert DC power from the batteries into AC power that can be
> used to power 120V or 240V appliances. In order to choose the right inverter
> for your application, you should consider these factors:
>
> • Pure Sine Wave or Modified Sine Wave: A pure sine wave inverter will
> produce AC output that is indistinguishable from domestic grid power. These
> inverters can be used to power any kind of equipment. A modified sine wave
> inverter will produce AC output with a more jagged, square sinewave shape.
> This is OK for use with appliances such as microwaves, hair driers and
> blenders but should not be used for sensitive equipment such as stereos, DVD
> players or satellite communications sets. The price premium for pure sine
> wave inverters is slowly decreasing, but modified sine wave inverters still
> represent the best value for money.
>
> • Power Output and Surge Capability: The inverter should be sized so that
> its rated power output can handle all the simultaneous loads that will be
> put on it. Some devices cause a temporary power surge on startup, and the
> unit must be rated to handle that surge without overloading.
>
> • Battery Capacity: Make sure your battery bank has enough capacity to
> support the DC load that the inverter will place on it.
>
> • Hardwired or Outlet: Hardwired inverters can be permanently wired in to
> your onboard AC system. Inverters with AC outlets are connected with an AC
> cord with a three-pin plug.
>
> • Battery Charger: Inverters with built-in battery chargers provide an
> efficient means of obtaining two functions in the same unit.
>
> • Automatic Transfer Switch: These switches are found on combined
> inverter/chargers. When the shorepower is connected, the unit functions as a
> battery charger. When the shorepower is disconnected, the inverter function
> takes over and the boat's AC circuits are automatically switched to inverter
> power.
>
> Toll Free : 1-800-473-3981 l Phone : 1-203-961-8133
>
> J Bergquist <jbergqui at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> I am trying to decide between a Xantrex 1000W and 1800W.
>
> I have not figured it out yet. They retail at West Marine for $250 and
> $350
> respectively.
>
> J
>
> On 10/11/06, Peter Staehling wrote:
> >
> > What size inverter? I have used a small cigarette
> > lighter plug in one for various stuff with mixed
> > success. I never used any larger ones.
> >
> > --- J Bergquist wrote:
> >
> > > I am thinking of installing an inverter. Has anybody
> > > got any particular
> > > items for discussion on this topic?
> > >
> > > Also, I bought some sweet Schaeffer towable jib
> > > leads on sale at APS and
> > > want to rig them up. Any advice on how much purchase
> > > is needed to move the
> > > leads around smoothly with the jib loaded up? Is 3:1
> > > enough? I saw some
> > > boats at the show have 4 or 5:1.
> > >
> > > What size jib sheets do most people use? Mine are
> > > monster 1/2" line that I
> > > bought at Bacons before I knew anything about buying
> > > line. I want to replace
> > > them and was thinking 3/8". I have heard some
> > > people say they like 7/16" is
> > > that for strength or for cleat holding? How do most
> > > folks attach jibsheets
> > > to the clew? Currently I use a lark's head which is
> > > nice because there is no
> > > metal at the sheet/clew interface, no chance of
> > > catching on something, and
> > > it's never slipped on me yet. But I was thinking of
> > > maybe splicing these
> > > lines to the clew (then have a set for each sail...a
> > > bit expensive...) or
> > > using a shackle. I have seen some people just use
> > > bowlines. I'd be
> > > interested in knowing if anybody has a particularly
> > > good method for doing
> > > this.
> > >
> > > Finally, what do people use for light weather
> > > spinnaker sheets? Diameter?
> > > Means of attachment? I figure you could use a VERY
> > > small ronstan shackle
> > > spliced to the sheet and that would probably be no
> > > heavier than a bowline.
> > > Has anybody tried the plastic shackles? They are
> > > really light.
> > >
> > > Thoughts?
> > >
> > > J Bergquist
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > These businesses support your Association:
> > > http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
> > > Please support them.
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Public-list mailing list
> > > Public-list at alberg30.org
> > > http://alberg30.org/mailman/listinfo/public-list
> > >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> > http://mail.yahoo.com
> > _______________________________________________
> > These businesses support your Association:
> > http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
> > Please support them.
> > _______________________________________________
> > Public-list mailing list
> > Public-list at alberg30.org
> > http://alberg30.org/mailman/listinfo/public-list
> >
> _______________________________________________
> These businesses support your Association:
> http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
> Please support them.
> _______________________________________________
> Public-list mailing list
> Public-list at alberg30.org
> http://alberg30.org/mailman/listinfo/public-list
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done
> faster.
> _______________________________________________
> These businesses support your Association:
> http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
> Please support them.
> _______________________________________________
> Public-list mailing list
> Public-list at alberg30.org
> http://alberg30.org/mailman/listinfo/public-list
>
_______________________________________________
These businesses support your Association:
http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
Please support them.
_______________________________________________
Public-list mailing list
Public-list at alberg30.org
http://alberg30.org/mailman/listinfo/public-list
1160679772.0
More information about the Public-List
mailing list