[ILQSO] Powering a laptop

[Mel Crichton]

I just went thru this.... I bought an old Compaq Armada cheap but it needed 16 volts minimum,  I tried a Tripp lite inverter and a cheap DC-DC adapter... both caused RFI in the IC-706 mobile.... The Tripp Lite was fine until I started the ignition....

I have been told that the expensive (100 bucks) Lind Electronics DC-DC adapter has no RFI..... but I choose to go with a laptop that will run on 12 volts... unfortunately, I did not find one using Win 98 before ILQP 2007, so I ran my 1999 Sony Vaio with Win XP on 12 volts and tried MM Logger while mobile... not a pretty experience, but the laptop was fine on its own 12 volt circuit (NOT with the rig!!!)... it could draw about 6 amps at times..

So I  just found a Panasonic Toughbook running Win 98 for 70 bucks... they use the 11 volt Panasonic Video Cam battery, and will run on 12 volts DC directly from the car supply without battery.... however, batteries don't charge much from the 12 volt supply, so my intent is to leave the battery OUT except when the ignition is off.... (i.e. push battery in, switch off ignition so the laptop does not crash, then pull battery out after igntion starts again).... The deep cycle marine battery is another good idea for QSO parties and Field Day...

There are MANY laptops (circa 1995-2000) that can run on 12 volts (or even 11 volts) but need 17v  or more to charge their batteries.... if you have a laptop, plug it into the cig lighter outlet, start it up, then pull the battery and see if it continues to run. Before you buy, look up the model number (Google works) and download the manual to get the battery spec.

Mel KJ9C