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Q: How can I charge my Mac Book Pro from a 12V power supply? source?

How can I charge my MacBook Pro from a 12V power supply?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Oct 27, 2015 1:08 PM

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Q: How can I charge my Mac Book Pro from a 12V power supply? source?

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  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Oct 27, 2015 3:56 PM in response to duanefrombrea
    Level 9 (52,313 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 27, 2015 3:56 PM in response to duanefrombrea

    A decent deep cycle 12v battery will weigh twice as much as the Honda generator.  Small batteries (lead acid) will not last very long.

     

    If you are contemplating lithium ion batteries, make certain your bank account is fat and that you have the correct monitoring/regulating hardware required for them.

     

    Solar panels will require voltage regulators in the chain.  Bright sun = more than 12 volts which might result in unintended consequences.

     

    Ciao.

  • by duanefrombrea,

    duanefrombrea duanefrombrea Oct 27, 2015 4:10 PM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2015 4:10 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Sending and receiving text from the radio side does not take much power and is quick.

     

    I'm not sure what the draw is from a Mac Book Pro in sleep mode.

     

    There are some pretty small 12V batteries out there but even the little ones are heavy.

     

    Check out the link below. Anyway, my Go-bag has power supply and adaptors for all sorts of stuff.

     

    I really appreciate you staying with this conversation.

     

    http://www.powerwerx.com/batteries-chargers/sealed-lead-acid-absorbent-glass-mat -battery.html

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Oct 27, 2015 4:26 PM in response to duanefrombrea
    Level 9 (52,313 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 27, 2015 4:26 PM in response to duanefrombrea

    I am used to the 110 Ah batteries which weigh 72+ lbs.  As you probably know, you can expect no more than 50% of the Ah rating for a battery before it needs to be recharged.  Do the math and see what is the smallest that you anticipate will be needed.  I have never measured the current drain for a MBP but a good amp meter will do the trick.

     

    Ciao.

     

    Addendum:  Solar panels are not that light either, but there are flexible ones, but I suspect that the efficiency may be low on them.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Oct 27, 2015 4:35 PM in response to duanefrombrea
    Level 9 (50,417 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 27, 2015 4:35 PM in response to duanefrombrea

    One question, how do you internet so that you can send/receive email?

     

    Wouldn't an iPhone be a more efficient choice?

  • by Tom Gewecke,

    Tom Gewecke Tom Gewecke Oct 27, 2015 4:41 PM in response to duanefrombrea
    Level 9 (79,212 points)
    Oct 27, 2015 4:41 PM in response to duanefrombrea

    PPerhaps an iPad ?

     

    http://koomasi.com/pocketpacket/

     

    PProbably more capable software is available for an android or Windows tablet.

  • by duanefrombrea,

    duanefrombrea duanefrombrea Oct 27, 2015 4:48 PM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 27, 2015 4:48 PM in response to Csound1

    The iPhone only works if you have an internet connection or a connection to a cell tower. If you don't have access to those, the iPhone is a brick.

     

    Radio on the other hand is a totally different animal.

     

    It's a bit confusing to explain but for a brief tutorial, go to YouTube and check out Winlink.

     

    You must have a ham radio license to use these options, but that is not so difficult.

     

    Anyway, on looking at the power usage  of the MacBookPro charger, it seems to be an energy hog.

     

    It takes 60 Watts!

     

    Am I missing something here or is Apple not being energy efficient?

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Oct 27, 2015 4:57 PM in response to duanefrombrea
    Level 9 (50,417 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 27, 2015 4:57 PM in response to duanefrombrea

    A 13" MBP draws 38 watts to charge a flat battery and 5 to 11 watts to keep it charged. Recharge takes around 2 hours and lasts 4 to 6. You'll be doing less things so maybe more.

  • by Tom Gewecke,

    Tom Gewecke Tom Gewecke Oct 27, 2015 5:28 PM in response to duanefrombrea
    Level 9 (79,212 points)
    Oct 27, 2015 5:28 PM in response to duanefrombrea

    If you do consider a windows solution, I think the Surface does use 12V.

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