12v Supply

[phils]

Hi all.

I see most people recommend running their electronic items, where possible straight from the 12volt leisure batteries supply and avoid the inverter.

i understand this but how do you accommodate the different current rating of each item to charge when running from the one 12volt supply. For example my phone charger supplies a different output than my laptop charger or my speaker charger. If i was powering them using the inverted then the power pack of each charger would handle the step down from ac to the correct output, but how would this be done if running straight from the 12volt batteries?


This is all new to me :-(

 

[Tony Lee]

Quick answer is that it is just about impossible to use a single 12V power supply to charge a range of gadgets. As you say, the voltages range from 3V to over 20 and the range of plugs and connectors is just about infinite. Try charging any i-product using standard plugs.

What was suggested was to use the lighter plug adaptors that are often available for many items. GPS always come with them and some phones too. Also many can be charged via USB so that gives another possibility where an appliance with a minature USB connector can be charged using a lead witth the same connector and plugged into the lighter socket.
Never any guarantee that the pin connections are the same even if logically they should be. Can't just plug any round plug into a matching socket because there is no standard voltage. At least USB based systems should be compatable if the plugs fit - but no guarantee.

Either way you are going to end up with a basket full of leads, power bricks and lighter plugs.

Alternative is to leave half of it home.

The other problem with trying to run several items off the same supply is that the batteries in many of the devices never last as long as claimed and for instance, a GPS not plugged in and with screen brightness up a bit, might only run for minutes before giving up.

You can buy multioutput lighter sockets with USB outlets as well and that will allow up to 6 items to be powere from the one board, but good luck with the lead tangles.

 

[phils]

Drat,

so what was suggested is really meaning to use the corresponding lighter plug adapter for each item in question.

 

[AIKIDOMO]

I really would not worry about this to much experience will teach you over time the things that need charging and those that last, a good 12v lighter socket inside the van positioned in a quiet place, and a usb 12v connector will usually get you out of trouble. again from experience.
clive

 

[phils]

thanks guys, what about laptops. how do i go about charging them on the 12volt supply?

 

[dave and mary]

thanks guys, what about laptops. how do i go about charging them on the 12volt supply?

Hi ya, We charge every thing on the 12v i have a asus laptop mary a dell and we got the appropriate chargers of ebay Also for the ds phone etc We tried an inverter once all we managed to do was fill the van with smoke so got put of a bit lol :drive: :drive: