The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Z96J car adapter/ car voltage conveter

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by mgray, Nov 7, 2006.

  1. mgray

    mgray Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    87
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Just wondering if it is bad for the computer to plug it into a voltage converter for a car. I have a 300watt converter that outputs at 115volts 30amps. Will it hurt the computer to plug it into that? Or should I use the proper car adapter because it can regulate voltage spikes?? I would assume the regular AC adapter for house power would have the same protection built in it so it should be ok to plug it into the converter?

    Also anyone know a good site that sells the car adapter? I'm having a little trouble finding one right for the z96j
     
    mgray, Nov 7, 2006
    #1
  2. Jumper

    Jumper Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    65
    Messages:
    840
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I have charged my Z33 with a 90 watt inverter in my car, and the regular AC power cord... I bough the inverter so I could charge a few different things (phone, PC, etc) that I didn't have car chargers for, rather then buying a bunch of car chargers.
     
    Jumper, Nov 7, 2006
    #2
  3. Cerebral

    Cerebral Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    88
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    i was thinking about getting an adapter for my upcomming notebook.

    Though i was just curious about how this would effect the cars battery with charging a notebook?

    i only got my license just over a month ago...and i know jack all about cars!...

    (sorry for hijacking the thread!)
     
    Cerebral, Nov 7, 2006
    #3
  4. otakuoverlord

    otakuoverlord Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    23
    Messages:
    420
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    A power inverter running at 30 amps has the same power drain as leaving the headlights on, from what I recall... I may be wrong.

    What's bad for the computer is if that inverter doesn't have some way of preventing a surge or a short circuit from getting to the system. If your car outlet can't deliver that much current to the lighter, your adapter just won't deliver power to the computer. Cobverting DC to AC and then back again generates a lot of heat and loses power all over the place- if you can find one, a dedicated DC lighter adapter for your laptop will do a much better job.

    I would much more concerned about blowing the fuse that powers the radio and often the cigarette lighter in older cars... Though a lot of newer vehicles have a dedicated 'power' circuit (outlets marked for accessory use rather than a cigarette icon) that provides inherent protection against blown fuses or damaged components on the computer or charger end.
     
    otakuoverlord, Nov 7, 2006
    #4