temp power point for computer

[kjango]

Would it be ok to get a power point kit from an auto store & wire it up with alligator clamps to hook up directly to battery terminals & use for a temporary power source for a computer til I get to where I'm going & can do it right & mount a permanent one ????

[ckgreenman]

Sure, just don't expect it to last very long. There's no reason why it wouldn't work for a little while anyway.

[ckgreenman]

A couple things I should note. you probably should ONLY connect it up while using it. DO NOT leave it there. Also connecti it to the batteries BEFORE connecting the laptop and disconnect the laptop BEFORE disconnecting from the battery. This will eliminate sparking at the battery which is an explosion hazard.

[kjango]

thanks guys.....I never had electricity til I was 38 & it still seems like some sort of dark magic to me at 60

[ckgreenman]

You're talking about a cigarette lighter type receptacle right?

[kjango]

yepper I am

[ckgreenman]

Ok Do be careful about what I said with regards to sparking. When batteries are charged they emit hydrogen gas which is VERY flammable (explosive even).

[sailingdog]

Should say when batteries are CHARGING.... when they're fully charged, they really don't release much of anything.

BTW, most modern laptops require more than 12 VDC and do much better on stabilized voltage power supplies. If you're going to run the laptop off an inverter, it would make much more sense to just hard-wire the inverter to the battery or put clips on the ends of the inverter input wires.

Originally Posted by ckgreenman

Ok Do be careful about what I said with regards to sparking. When batteries are charged they emit hydrogen gas which is VERY flammable (explosive even).

[ckgreenman]

True however unless I'm mistaken, power inverter take more power to run than DC step up converters. Ac inverter also introduce electrical noise although this is usually only an issue when charging with an engine alternator.


and tes. I meant charging

[sailingdog]

If he's using a DC-to-DC power converter, he should probably hard wire that instead. Most people use an inverter, cause they're a lot easier to find, and a lot more versatile.