[C320-list] Inverter size?

[Graeme Clark]

Scott

Seems a bit crazy to start with 12v, use an inverter to get it up to 120v and then plug in a mains charger that brings it down to (about) 12v again!

Apart from anything there will be an energy loss at each stage.

Why not buy a car charger for your pc. Plugs into the cigarette lighter socket but easy enough to hardwire it if you wanted

Typical example here

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Charger-Adapter-ThinkPad-Computers/dp/B07FY9TXNV/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=Laptop+car+charger&qid=1577213931&sr=8-7

Graeme

1996, #366

Sent from my iPad

> On 24 Dec 2019, at 18:12, Scott Westwood <scottwestwood at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> 
> Any other ideas out there?  Just bought and tried a 500W pure sine wave (Made in China???) and the PC says "plugged in not charging".   "say" it is pure sine wave.
> Getting frustrated since we can't charge our PCs from the boat Batt Bank.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net C (919)- 819-9794
> 
> 
>    On Tuesday, December 17, 2019, 07:18:25 PM EST, Scott Westwood <scottwestwood at bellsouth.net> wrote:  
> 
> Could be issue. This one is modified sine wave. Will take it back to harbor freight and look for real sine wave one. let you all know what happens.
> 
> Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android 
> 
>  On Tue, Dec 17, 2019 at 6:37 PM, Stephen Cox<scox at timmin.com> wrote:   Does the inverter put out a sine wave, a modified sine wave or a square wave?
> Switch mode power supplies really need a sine wave to work properly and cheap
> inverters often don't provide that.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Stephen Cox
> Tegwen #1141 
> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: C320-list 
>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of 
>> Scott Westwood
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2019 10:09 AM
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Inverter size?
>> 
>> FWIW. My PC power supply  is 1.5A 120v input and output 19v 
>> 4.74A 90w max. My wife's  ps is 135w 20v with details of 
>> input 100-240v 2A and output 20v 6.75A. Left hooked up 
>> motoring about 5 hours hooked directly to house bank on brand 
>> new (but cheap harbor freight) 400w inverter and did not 
>> charge. Hers or mine. Maybe bother ps's are "bad"?  Charge 
>> when in regular a/c outlet???
>> Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android 
>>   
>>   On Tue, Dec 17, 2019 at 3:23 PM, Scott 
>> Westwood<scottwestwood at bellsouth.net> wrote:  About 4 or 6 
>> gauge 2ft long with batt clamps that came with it. directly 
>> on batt (to test)
>> 
>> Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android 
>>   
>>   On Tue, Dec 17, 2019 at 2:10 PM, Graeme 
>> Clark<cg at skyflyer.co.uk> wrote:  150W was fine for an older 
>> windows laptop I had but wouldn't keep a MacBook charger 
>> happy. I switched to 300w and its been fine since.
>> 
>> Do you have a true 12v at the input to the inverter? I used 
>> some pretty thick gauge wire to wire up my cigar lighter into 
>> which the inverter plugs but you might be suffering a voltage 
>> drop or other resistance that drops the input voltage?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Graeme Clark
>> “Jaskar”
>> Built 1996
>> Hull #366
>> Location: Falmouth, United Kingdom
>> 
>>> On 17 Dec 2019, at 18:31, jackbrennan 
>> <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi Scott:
>>> Something sounds wrong. 400 watts should be plenty. That's 
>> roughly 25 amps in 12 volts or 2.5 amps at 110 volts. 
>>> My 400 watt inverter will charge a laptop easily.
>>> 
>>> Jack Brennan
>>> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
>>> Tierra Verde, Fl.
>>> Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Bay
>>> 
>>> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
>>> 
>>>   On Tue, Dec 17, 2019 at 1:23 PM, Scott 
>> Westwood<scottwestwood at bellsouth.net> wrote:  Traveling so 
>> hard to research.  Does anyone know what size inverter I need 
>> to charge an older laptop onboard?  We had a 175w then tried 
>> 400w. The 409w sort of maintains (plugged in not charging).  
>> Any thoughts?
>>> 
>>> Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android
>>    
> 
>