Car Battery to 220V AC convertor / inverter for charging laptop etc

ghpk · 1st July 2009, 02:50

Since last few days I am thinking of getting a Car Inverter like this one.

Car Battery to 220V AC convertor / inverter for charging laptop etc-invert.jpg

photo courtesy ebay

Has any one used it ?
Can someone be kind enough to post the Price for it and the supported wattage.

My primary requirement is to charge my laptop.

Thanks for your time,

Peace

passion4cars · 1st July 2009, 07:37

Hi Bro,

Just a suggestion , instead of having a charger just for the laptop , you could go in for the one which has power plug like our household sockets , this can be used to charge anything like your mobile / laptop or any other small / light power withdrawing units . let me know if you want a picture of the same as I am using the same in my car.

Thanks

phamilyman · 1st July 2009, 07:39

They do work - i've tested them - you get them between 500-1500 depending on how high end the point of purchase is.

However, I'm just a bit concerned about the quality of AC it'll generate - any long term users?

PAVAN KADAM · 1st July 2009, 08:16

Nice thread,

I am planning to use a similar setup for my 1971 VW Baywindow Bus.

I have purchased a 500 kva APC inverter and am going to use big batteries that'll hold more power.

This set-up needs to run a mini fridge,a electric coffee kettle, and some other small gadgets.

Anyone with more and precise detail, pls write

Abes · 1st July 2009, 09:58

Panvan, it must be 500VA; 500kVA (500,000VA) big is enough to power a small village. You should go in for a 1500VA inverter if you are planning to use all of the equipments simultaneously; assuming that your kettle is 800-1000W and mini fridge is around 200W. Otherwise, 500-1000VA would be enough, depending on the wattage of the equipments and the nature of the use. Also the battery needs to be properly sized, based on the power requirement and duration of usage.
(W=VA*0.8 approximately)

ghpk, the laptop might be around 20-30W, you may require a 40VA inverter. Calculate the VA 20% more than your requirement; an inverter rated for 40VA might not safely give you 40VA continuously in the longer run.

gpa · 1st July 2009, 10:02

My friend is a long term user of one of these gadgets. We picked it up at a Crossword store here in Bangalore sometime in early 2006. He used to use it primarily for his old Thinkpad which didn't have an old battery and lasted for 10 mins or so on its back up.

He used to initially use it in his Santro and then has been continuing to use it in his i10 as well. He has not reported any problems with the power from the device.

Well, he still uses the Thinkpad, so it could also mean IBM's rugged construction hasn't let anything happen

tsk1979 · 1st July 2009, 10:44

If your inverter is upto 100W its okay. The car lighter socket is rated for 10A, If you use a more powerful inverter, the fuse can blow.

If you are connecting directly to the battery, then you can go higher, esp if its a bus. The alternator in that case will be pumping out 150A approx, and tapping 45A for your 500W setup should be okay.

akp · 5th April 2010, 08:53

Maximum load a car lighter socket can take is 120W (12V, 10A) -- does this mean that I should not connect an inverter rated higher than 120W, or is it ok to connect a higher capacity (say 200W) inverter as long as the devices I connect to the inverter do not exceed that 120W limit?

Thanks in advance.

adnaps · 5th April 2010, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by akp

Maximum load a car lighter socket can take is 120W (12V, 10A) -- does this mean that I should not connect an inverter rated higher than 120W, or is it ok to connect a higher capacity (say 200W) inverter as long as the devices I connect to the inverter do not exceed that 120W limit?

Thanks in advance.

You can connect a inverter of a higher rating as long as the load is limited to 120 W.

ghpk · 13th April 2010, 03:49

I am using a CAR Laptop charger, this doesn't gives 220 volts, so less power drain from battery.

but charges my laptop perfectly, Been using it for months now, Its All good till now.
Cost me around 500 from ebay.in

SS-Traveller · 16th April 2010, 19:23

Found this Belkin Inverter at my neighborhood electricals shop today. Output 220V 200W. Carries a warranty of 3 years. Price asked is Rs.1650.

It does mention that the fuse rating required is 20A.

Car Battery to 220V AC convertor / inverter for charging laptop etc-belkink150.jpg

akp · 16th April 2010, 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Found this Belkin Inverter at my neighborhood electricals shop today. Output 220V 200W. Carries a warranty of 3 years. Price asked is Rs.1650.

It does mention that the fuse rating required is 20A.

Attachment 330914

You will get it a little cheaper at Nehru Place. Picked it up from there at Rs. 1425/-. But I guess its much more hassle free to be able to pick it up from a neighbourhood store rather than running to Nehru Place. Do they have other car electrical items as well? If yes, mind telling where is this shop? I am pretty near to VK.

deky · 22nd November 2010, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

Found this Belkin Inverter at my neighborhood electricals shop today. Output 220V 200W. Carries a warranty of 3 years. Price asked is Rs.1650.

It does mention that the fuse rating required is 20A.

Attachment 330914

Some more photos of the same adapter, but out of the box. The specifications as mentioned on the electrical unit are

BELKIN
AC Anywhere with USB charging
model# F5L071ak200W

input : 11-15VDC
output: 220V AC/50hz
constant output : 200W
peak output : 400W

fuse rating : 20A

ghpk · 23rd November 2010, 00:34

Recently bought a Android phone (galaxy3) from futurebazaar, they offered a similar belkin inverter for free, however this one is 85W with peak of 170W.

They shipped the belkin charger real promptly however the phone is still out of stock since last 12 days.

I think this inverter/charger can charge laptop of 65W or a Handycam atleast.

Any existing user of 85W belkin inverter ?
how's the performance of this unit ?

I'll fix this permanently in car somewhere with a separate switch and wiring at a later date so it can be used instantly if needed.

Car Battery to 220V AC convertor / inverter for charging laptop etc-img_b1.jpg

Car Battery to 220V AC convertor / inverter for charging laptop etc-img_b2.jpg

Car Battery to 220V AC convertor / inverter for charging laptop etc-img_b3.jpg

SirAlec · 23rd November 2010, 22:23

Bought these at NP long ago for 1800/-. So far its been almost two years and has not given any problems yet.

1st July 2009, 02:50	#46
ghpk BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ghaziabad Posts: 870 Thanked: 211 Times	CAR INVERTER, Are you using it, If Yes Details Please Since last few days I am thinking of getting a Car Inverter like this one. photo courtesy ebay Has any one used it ? Can someone be kind enough to post the Price for it and the supported wattage. My primary requirement is to charge my laptop. Thanks for your time, Peace
	() Thanks

1st July 2009, 07:37	#47
passion4cars BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 156 Thanked: 6 Times	Hi Bro, Just a suggestion , instead of having a charger just for the laptop , you could go in for the one which has power plug like our household sockets , this can be used to charge anything like your mobile / laptop or any other small / light power withdrawing units . let me know if you want a picture of the same as I am using the same in my car. Thanks
	(1) Thanks

1st July 2009, 07:39	#48
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	They do work - i've tested them - you get them between 500-1500 depending on how high end the point of purchase is. However, I'm just a bit concerned about the quality of AC it'll generate - any long term users?
	() Thanks

1st July 2009, 08:16	#49
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,602 Thanked: 2,549 Times	Nice thread, I am planning to use a similar setup for my 1971 VW Baywindow Bus. I have purchased a 500 kva APC inverter and am going to use big batteries that'll hold more power. This set-up needs to run a mini fridge,a electric coffee kettle, and some other small gadgets. Anyone with more and precise detail, pls write
	() Thanks

1st July 2009, 09:58	#50
Abes BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Muscat Posts: 201 Thanked: 60 Times	Panvan, it must be 500VA; 500kVA (500,000VA) big is enough to power a small village. You should go in for a 1500VA inverter if you are planning to use all of the equipments simultaneously; assuming that your kettle is 800-1000W and mini fridge is around 200W. Otherwise, 500-1000VA would be enough, depending on the wattage of the equipments and the nature of the use. Also the battery needs to be properly sized, based on the power requirement and duration of usage. (W=VA*0.8 approximately) ghpk, the laptop might be around 20-30W, you may require a 40VA inverter. Calculate the VA 20% more than your requirement; an inverter rated for 40VA might not safely give you 40VA continuously in the longer run.
	(1) Thanks

1st July 2009, 10:02	#51
gpa Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,789 Thanked: 340 Times	My friend is a long term user of one of these gadgets. We picked it up at a Crossword store here in Bangalore sometime in early 2006. He used to use it primarily for his old Thinkpad which didn't have an old battery and lasted for 10 mins or so on its back up. He used to initially use it in his Santro and then has been continuing to use it in his i10 as well. He has not reported any problems with the power from the device. Well, he still uses the Thinkpad, so it could also mean IBM's rugged construction hasn't let anything happen
	() Thanks

1st July 2009, 10:44	#52
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	If your inverter is upto 100W its okay. The car lighter socket is rated for 10A, If you use a more powerful inverter, the fuse can blow. If you are connecting directly to the battery, then you can go higher, esp if its a bus. The alternator in that case will be pumping out 150A approx, and tapping 45A for your 500W setup should be okay.
	() Thanks

5th April 2010, 08:53	#53
akp BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 320 Thanked: 177 Times	car inverter query Maximum load a car lighter socket can take is 120W (12V, 10A) -- does this mean that I should not connect an inverter rated higher than 120W, or is it ok to connect a higher capacity (say 200W) inverter as long as the devices I connect to the inverter do not exceed that 120W limit? Thanks in advance.
	(1) Thanks

13th April 2010, 03:49	#55
ghpk BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ghaziabad Posts: 870 Thanked: 211 Times	I am using a CAR Laptop charger, this doesn't gives 220 volts, so less power drain from battery. but charges my laptop perfectly, Been using it for months now, Its All good till now. Cost me around 500 from ebay.in
	() Thanks

16th April 2010, 19:23	#56
SS-Traveller Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 8,164 Thanked: 27,144 Times View My Garage	Found this Belkin Inverter at my neighborhood electricals shop today. Output 220V 200W. Carries a warranty of 3 years. Price asked is Rs.1650. It does mention that the fuse rating required is 20A. Last edited by SS-Traveller : 16th April 2010 at 19:24.
	() Thanks

23rd November 2010, 00:34	#59
ghpk BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ghaziabad Posts: 870 Thanked: 211 Times	Recently bought a Android phone (galaxy3) from futurebazaar, they offered a similar belkin inverter for free, however this one is 85W with peak of 170W. They shipped the belkin charger real promptly however the phone is still out of stock since last 12 days. I think this inverter/charger can charge laptop of 65W or a Handycam atleast. Any existing user of 85W belkin inverter ? how's the performance of this unit ? I'll fix this permanently in car somewhere with a separate switch and wiring at a later date so it can be used instantly if needed.
	() Thanks

23rd November 2010, 22:23	#60
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,393 Thanked: 726 Times	Bought these at NP long ago for 1800/-. So far its been almost two years and has not given any problems yet.
	() Thanks