Inverter

[rldriver]

I am looking to purchase a 400 watt or more inverter for my truck to run my computer so I can use it with Earthmate GPS LT-20 & Street Atlas USA 2008. Can any type of inverter work for this or do I need to be concerned with the type of 110VAC output? I have noticed there are two types out there with a big price difference. I am over my head on this one.

Thanks for any thoughts.
Dick

[c5racer]

I just bought a power cord for my laptop that plugs into the cig lighter.

[OntMont]

I use a "modified sine wave" (square wave) inverter, that is the cheaper kind. It works fine for me. If you were running directly off the inverter, it might be a problem, but I would expect that in reality, you are just charging the computer's battery and the computer is taking straight DC power from that battery. I bought mine here in Canada, but Camping World sell the same unit under a different name.

[c5racer]

This is what I have.
http://www.buy.com/prod/hp-dc-auto-a...203081167.html

[Ozz]

I bought a small cheap inverter from Wally World, around a 400 watt. I use it to power a 120 outlet in the truck for my cordless battery charger and the 'puter while on the road.
Direct wired it, fused, and have the outlet box 2x4 handy box on the passenger side.
Nothing has frizzled or burned up, so I would go with the 400 Watter from wherever you want to buy it.
I was your Guinea pig on this one....
120 outlet in truck:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...pressor005.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...pressor002.jpg

[rldriver]

Thanks all, I guess I forgot that all I am doing is charging the battery and not operating the computer from the inverter so cheep here I go. Now I have to go out and get the Earthmate GPS that operates off the USB port. The input on my Toshiba is 15V so I would not think it a good idea to run it directly from the 12 volt truck system.

I have a tool store in town that sells them real cheep. It's one of those stores that keeps going and going and going until your lost and have to buy more tools to find your way out.

Thanks again for the help ,
Dick

[Countryfolks]

quote:Originally posted by rldriver

I am looking to purchase a 400 watt or more inverter for my truck to run my computer so I can use it with Earthmate GPS LT-20 & Street Atlas USA 2008. Can any type of inverter work for this or do I need to be concerned with the type of 110VAC output? I have noticed there are two types out there with a big price difference. I am over my head on this one.

Thanks for any thoughts.
Dick

I use a Targus DC-DC for my Toughbook and I used the same one on a Dell. They have replaceable plugs on the end.
Something like these may work for you;

http://cgi.ebay.com/Targus-ORIG-APM1...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/TARGUS-UNIVERSAL...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/IGO-EVERYWHEREPO...QQcmdZViewItem

If you're looking be sure to verify they have the DC input cable, the one that fits the lighter socket. Some are AC input only. I did the search using "targus adapter" and "igo 7500" without the quotes. targus.com should have a chart that shows which tip fits your laptop. I think Radio shack has something similar and there are other brands, Igo 7500, Lind and Kingston. Igo probably makes the others.
The DC-DC adapters don't have the noise that the WM inverters have, no fan. They are solid state devices.
I also use one of the WM 400W inverters when I have 2 laptops running or need 120v for something.

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