Charging laptop, camera, monitor etc. W/O an inverter?

[Jammer]

I have one of these 12v industrial USB/USB C converters and can't say enough good things about it. I charge my phone and my handheld VHF with it, and can charge my laptop if I want. It puts out 45 watts on the USB-C connection, enough to fast charge tablets and laptops.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077BL3GT4


Doesn't overheat and fold back the power, small, reliable.

[boat driver]

Originally Posted by scottrgrewe

I understand it’s more efficient to charge these items directly from the battery bank. Buck transformer? It would also help to keep a tidier “charging station” if I could splice everything into 19v source.
Anyone have experience with this?

Lots of good interesting ideas but three critical suggestions.
Inverters are square and pure sine wave. Many of today’s small electronics chargers , particularly acer and some of the new dewalt type chargers do not like square wave a/c power inputs and will fail. Cheap inverters and old inverters are more often square wave.

Tablets/iPads in particular need higher amperage output chargers, or the batteries take a long time and do not top off, thereby shorting life.

Higher voltage may assist speedier charging, but 19v dc on 5v inputs is likely to overcharge if left on charger to long, thereby not very efficient

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by boat driver

Higher voltage may assist speedier charging, but 19v dc on 5v inputs is likely to overcharge if left on charger to long, thereby not very efficient

No one suggested that, very silly idea.

Many if not most laptops use 19V.

Whatever a given device needs, is what you give it.

Obviously USB is a non issue available OTS no knowledge or DIY needed. Same with devices where the mfg makes car adapters available.

[Tillsbury]

Originally Posted by andyful20

I have an old Dell latitude e6410 running 19v 4.2 amps DCFrom it's converter 230v ac--can't find an adapter from anywhere for it -- for my 12-14v dc asystem. Any suggestions? Apart from using my 300 watt inverter !!!

If the link below works, this is what I'm using. Give it anything from 3 to 35v, output anything from 5 to 45v at 5A. Dial up the voltage you want.

Digital DC-DC Converter Module Boost Step Up Module DC 3V-35V to DC 5V-45V Boost Converter Board 5A
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/bJMkV5BK

[srt]

I am having trouble with 12v to 2 USB outlets causing RF interference. Have anyone else experienced this? When using the USB outlets upsets TV reception. Tried first cigarette lighter adapters, then installed dedicated outlet, both type a problem.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by srt

I am having trouble with 12v to 2 USB outlets causing RF interference. Have anyone else experienced this? When using the USB outlets upsets TV reception. Tried first cigarette lighter adapters, then installed dedicated outlet, both type a problem.

Common. There are some things to try.


1) A different USB adapter.
2) Put ferrite beads on the 12v in. (over both wires together)

3) Put a capacitor across the 12v in.
4) Put a ferrite bead over the USB cable, close to the adapter.

[bcboomer]

Originally Posted by andyful20

I have an old Dell latitude e6410 running 19v 4.2 amps DCFrom it's converter 230v ac--can't find an adapter from anywhere for it -- for my 12-14v dc asystem. Any suggestions? Apart from using my 300 watt inverter !!!

I think your stuck buying one from Dell. Our 2 Dell laptops would only charge from the correct Dell charger. Wouldn't even accept a different Dell charger.
Some bit of software that identifies the charger.

https://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/acce...546#polaris-pd
This is supposed to work.

[jen1722terry]

We carry two Apple Macbooks and an iPad mini on board. We have some cigarette lighter 12 outlets around our 31-footer and use an Apple plug-in charger for all the Apple devices. A few other devices (fans, work lamp) plug into these outlets. Other stuff we charge off a small inverter.

Cheers!

Jenn and Terry

[scottrgrewe]

Thank you all for the excellent advise!

[HankOnthewater]

here is another solution:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1200W-20...53.m2749.l2648
A voltage converter up and down, up to 20 amps, price under $20. I have a few, each set for a different voltage, work well. One of them powers a small computer 24/7.

[Maka]

I have 4 automobile cigarette lighter type 12v charging outlets on my boat.
1 aft cabin, one forward cabin. one in the salon and one in the cockpit. They all run off of the D8 house battery.

So anything you can charge in your car will work on these.
Had one guest run his C pap machine at night on one of them.
You can also get solar chargers for phones et al from Amazon for under $25


https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...=2DLCZMA7JE3DE

[john61ct]

Make sure to put kill switches on these gadgets, many are vampire draws when unloaded.

Also while you're still fighting the RFI issues

[SoonerSailor]

I used this for a 19V supply:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This feeds an Anderson Powerpole outlet on the panel (like this but with blue instead of red: https://powerwerx.com/panelpole-pane...erpole-housing

Did the same for a 12.0V outlet for the netbook and AA charger. Both have their own on/off switches. Of course you have to fabricate your own Powerpole to computer/accessory cable, but it has worked well for me.

[SoonerSailor]

My link above was for the 12.0 Volt supply, but you can also find them for 19 Volts, and for much less than the one in the link.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Going DC-AC-DC can't really be called "simpler" IMO.

As you say depends on the usage, but for occasional charging of the drill or razor then yes it is simpler even for those living full time on board. How often do you need to charge a battery powered drill? The current Acer laptop is quite efficient, so saving 30% of 2 amps even for a whole evening of us isn't worth getting excited about compared to say the heating or slow cooker.

The previous Dell laptop circa 2007 was a bit power hungry with a 120w adapter. However, an 3rd party charger did work okay, it just gave a warning on the screen saying "the charger isn't a genuine Dell" which just needed a good stiff ignoring. There is something about Dell using a third contact on their chargers.

Pete