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    DC Power Adapters (Do They Work?)

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by ngamer007, Jan 13, 2006.

  1. ngamer007

    ngamer007 Notebook Geek

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    I'm looking at getting a DC Adapter. But I'm wondering if they actually work. I've heard of DC Car adapters not delivering enough power, of overheating, dropping out, all sorts of delicious things that make them not work. I mean, I tried to power a PlayStation One using my car's cig lighter about a year ago, and the thing barely got enough electricity to turn on. The light was in brownout mode, and the LCD screen wasn't working right. To avoid risk of damaging it, I haven't tried any DC adapters for electronics since.

    This one for example seems to be a wise choice:

    http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Kens...33728/catOid/-13225/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

    http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Kens...sem/rpsm/oid/133734/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
     
    ngamer007, Jan 13, 2006
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  2. ngamer007

    ngamer007 Notebook Geek

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    *bump*

    Anyone?
     
    ngamer007, Jan 15, 2006
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  3. unseen

    unseen Notebook Enthusiast

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    uhhhh i've nvr actually used one. since everywhere i go i normally have access to an outlet and if i dun... i have enof battery life to last a solid 5 hours, and that should last any ride i will take.

    maybe u should go with a battery backup...
     
    unseen, Jan 16, 2006
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  4. alexjl

    alexjl Notebook Consultant

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    I was considering some 3rd party DC power adapter or inverter. But finally decided to get the HP DC adapter since it's made by HP... it SHOULD work.

    Online price is about $150, I paid $75 for a new one off ebay. Works at home/air and car.
     
    alexjl, Jan 16, 2006
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  5. ngamer007

    ngamer007 Notebook Geek

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    I planning on going on a 600 mile road trip this spring. Another battery isn't going to cut it, and I can't have the laptop going into standby constantly.

    I'll probably just bite the bullet and buy it. If it doesn't work, I'll have someone take a look at my car's electronics.
     
    ngamer007, Jan 18, 2006
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  6. alexjl

    alexjl Notebook Consultant

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    Office max, staples, bestbuy, compusa... one of those places had the targus DC adapter with ALL adapters or $49 after rebate.

    It was in the sunday paper.

    BTW for the money you could spend at circuit city, you could buy a DC adapter manufactured by your notebooks company off ebay.
     
    alexjl, Jan 18, 2006
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  7. Cacinok

    Cacinok Notebook Enthusiast

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    i didn't look at the adapters you linked to, but i have used them in the past, w/ my lappy w/o a problem. i bought mine at walmart. don't recall what it cost. on the back of the package it gave an estimate of what wattage a lappy would use. i went one size up from that and had no prob's. we used the lappy as a dvd player for our 2 y.o. used it for about 11 or so hours straight, w/ nary a problem.
     
    Cacinok, Jan 18, 2006
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  8. strikeback03

    strikeback03 Notebook Deity

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    I have a larger DC to AC inverter, 400W max, but that is with direct connection to the battery. Out of the cigarette lighter I think the max is 240W. Got it for $20 at PepBoys. running off the cigarette lighter it powers my laptop fine.
     
    strikeback03, Jan 18, 2006
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  9. Cacinok

    Cacinok Notebook Enthusiast

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    strikeback, my power inverter is at least 400w and probably more like 600w, i'll have to look, and i ran it fine through the cigarette lighter, for over 10 hours.
     
    Cacinok, Jan 19, 2006
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  10. alexjl

    alexjl Notebook Consultant

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    inverters are nice but they do make a little bit of noise if the radio is off.
     
    alexjl, Jan 19, 2006
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  11. nrweaver

    nrweaver Notebook Enthusiast

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    i think that power inverters are the best idea and also the cheapest way to go i got my 300 watt power inverter for like 25 at samsclub
     
    nrweaver, Jan 19, 2006
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  12. alexjl

    alexjl Notebook Consultant

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    You cant bring a inverter on the plane :p
     
    alexjl, Jan 19, 2006
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  13. nrweaver

    nrweaver Notebook Enthusiast

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    i did not know that will they just not plug in or they do not allow them

    i have never been on a plane ive done a lot of freaking driving though
     
    nrweaver, Jan 19, 2006
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