OK Lets Talk Vehicle Mounts

I am looking really hard at the new Gamber/Johnson vehicle mount. The computer sits in this mount or vehicle replicator if you will. The company here in Atlanta is telling me that I need a seperate power supply running to the G/J. I was thinking that most/all of these mounts you use the existing power supply to the computer. that you already have, except it runs to the mount instead.

Does anybody here have any experience with these new G/J mounts? They are pretty new. I like the fact the finish is that like the TB, and it also has alot of really good features. Here is the link to it.

http://www.gamberjohnson.com/magDock.php

 

I have had two laptop mounts... One Kodiak (Still in the shop) and one Gamber Johnson... That I just sold. Both had/have power supplies built into them. All you need to do is to supply 12V power. The Gamber Johnson, I feel, is much nicer than the Kodiak.

 

That is what I was assuming with the power. I guess I better call Gamber and make sure. This dock is a new model, I hope they didnt make it to where you have to use a special power source. I was qouted $ 130.00 for the power supply, they said it was made Lind.

 

Are you buying straight from Gamber-Johnson? If so thy may not include the supply as it may be an option. Most of the ones I see are used with the PS already installed. You'd better check into that!

 

No, they referred me to a company here in Atlanta that is a reseller for them. It might be just the way the new unit might be? I will call them just to make sure.

 

The Kodiak's look like the power supply board is built into the rest of the replicator board, so I'm assuming those are ready to go (Just supply a 4-pin molex connector).

I've never seen the Gambler Johnson mounts in person (up close anyways so that I could see how they worked), but I think it's a safe bet that they have something built in.

 

I think we might be thinking of 2 different supply cords here?

I know once you pop your computer into the new G/M mount that the computer is powered. Its the cord going to the mount that they are saying I cant use my current CF-30 antenna for. I always assummed I could use that cord and plug it into my mount and I am good to go. I told them in my van I already have a pretty nice 3K watt pure sine wave inverter installed. I have been running my old and current laptops, gps, etc off the inverter for a while now.

They are telling me that the cord I have to buy is capable of me using the cig lighter, or a regular ac plug to power my vehicle docking station.

Just want to make sure we are on the same page........

 

On most Gamber Johnson units there is both an option to hard-wire and use the built in power supply or connect your regular laptop AC adapter. The docks power input should match the one on your Toughbook so there shouldnt be any problem using your existing power source. You should be able to get a spec sheet from Gamber J. to confirm.

 

Toyo,
I think you're talking two different voltages here. I'm not sure about G-J, but most vehicle docks by Kodiak and LEDco have a 12v adapter which feeds your Toughbook the 15-16v it requires. Just feed 12v to the dock and off you go. These docks will not accept 110v from your inverter. If the G-J dock allows you to use your OEM Panasonic adapter which works on 110v, then you can use that with your inverter, you would be bypassing the dock as far as power is concerned. I can't think why you would want to do that. Good luck.
Cap

 

Capt, I want to supply my G/J dock power by using my current 110v Panasonic power supply. I should be able to simply plug it into the docking station. If G/J made the new mag docking station for the CF-30 then my plug should work. I should not have to go an buy a Lind power cord. The Panasonic docking station I looked at accepted the same exact power plug that powers the laptop when its out of the mount.

I am going there this morning, so I will figure out what the heck is going on.

I was looking on the net over the weekend seeing how this particular company prices look and they seem to be one of the cheapest. The beat everybody with the dock by about 100.00 bucks. The misc vehicle mounting stuff was about the same. G/J sent my info over to them. I guess they are the local G/J reseller.

 

Toyo,
That may be the case, I just don't see why they would build a very expensive dock to build into a vehicle that requires a voltage that is not available. It will be interesting to hear what you find out. The upside to the Lind adapters is they turn off automatically when they sense a voltage drop in the vehicle battery so they can't leave you stranded if you forget to turn something off. Do let us know what you find out.
Cap

 

I went to the Gamber/Johnson resller today and looked at the new Mag Dock. The 1st thing I did was plug in my TB's power cord. It worked as I thought it would. It does not come with any type of power supply. I guess they are assuming since your getting this for a vehicle that you will need a power source from your vehicle via DC current. However I am not going to use DC current so my current Panny works just fine!

I got everything ordered and will be oh so happy to get this mounted the correct way finally.