Laptop Dies

Capn Jack · Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:31 pm Post subject: Laptop Dies

I use a laptop with Capn's Voyager for a chart plotter and recently, on long trips, I found the computer battery would die. Crook

This unit is hooked into the 12VDC charging circuit of my 40 Evinrude and I think the line loss, what with upping the voltage to 18VDC and keeping the computer battery charged is too much for the circuit. Sad

Suggestions anyone? Teeth

Oh, one thing I have yet to try is plugging in an inverter and using the A.C. adapter, but that might be even worse. Smile

Cker · Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:15 pm Post subject: Planned obsolescence

I've used desktops for many years, macs and windows (ugh) machines and I bought my first laptop a couple of years back. $1100 - it worked Okay but within a year the batteries died and I contacted the manufacturer about a replacement. No replacements, no aftermarket batteries so now if I want to use it, I have to carry the $%^%^&$ cord and transformer around and find an outlet. I need a new laptop because of the convenience while traveling but can't find one that will give much of a promise of having batteries either that will last or can be replaced. On the other hand, I have power tools that have batteries 6 and 8 years old and they're still going strong. My techie friends tell me that 20 months is a good long life for a battery.
My suggestion would be to buy a refurbished laptop and not put a lot of money into it.

BrentB · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 7:20 am Post subject:

I bought a HP netbook running XP and has a good 6 hrs or longer battery run time for $299. It has a 3cell and a 4 cell battery pack too for longer run times as an option
check
www.dealnews.com
www.techbargains.com

Check ebay for replacement batteries.
I bought a new and used iBook batteries, etc, Very useful traveling and didnt need a charger until I arrived at hotel or conference.
I gave it away to a relative in college and on the new netbook the power setting is set to increase battery life

Without knowing the specs, a notebook transformer isnt a big draw

K7MXE · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:09 am Post subject: Laptop battery

I have a Qosmio by Toshiba. It has a few years on it now. It is supposed to run off a 15 volt transformer and I went to Radioshack and got a plug and now run it off the boats battery that is less than the power unit so will run the laptop but not charge the battery. The laptop has a built in TV but that is mute now with the new digital tv service. So keep a eye out for a laptop that will run on 15 volts DC and run it off the boats battery. I can run it in the towing rig as well. Sometimes wifi is hard to steal out on the water but it can be done so the laptop with a built in wifi is a good thing.
Thats what worked for me. Bob Heselberg in Eatonville Wa

BrentB · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:15 am Post subject:

I just bought an inexpensive portable battery charger that has a 12v outlet from Menards for $60. There might be better deals and better models with more features. I didnt check. It was an impulse item b/c I had store credit check burning a hole in my pocket

toyman · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:45 am Post subject:

I just ordered my wife an Acer with an 11.6" screen ($299). I have and Asus with the 10.1" screen. Her new one is SUPPOSED to have an 8 hour battery life, mine has ~6 hours. We've (she) has ALWAYS used her laptop in the RV on an inverter (batteries as you know crap out after a couple of years), but what we try to do is shut off the inverter before we start the engine to protect it from voltage peaks. I believe I'd do the same if plugged directly into a lighter.

The problem, as you point out, may be voltage drop, and the inverter may be more sensitive to it than the computer transformer/power supply.

JMOO