AC/DC adapter?

Question

Level 1

56 points

AC/DC adapter?

Does anyone make an AC/DC adapter for a dual USB G3 iBook? By AC/DC I mean one that's capable of plugging in to both 110 volt AC in a house and 12 volt DC in an automobile. I've found DC adapters and of course AC adapters, but I'm looking for one adapter that can do both jobs. Thanks for your help.

Scott

466MHz "Digital Audio" G4 PowerMac, 1.5GB RAM, 120GB 7200rpm HDD, DVR-108, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jun 23, 2008 12:02 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 23, 2008 10:24 AM in response to Scott Cook

I don't think so, no. At least, I've never seen one, and I've pretty much scoured the internet for adapters for iBooks, so I think I'd have come across one if one existed.

You can buy an inverter and use your AC adapter with it (they are cheaper and more readily available than a DC adapter), if you like, but, of course, that's not the all-in-one device you have requested.

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Answer 2

Scott Cook Author

Level 1

56 points

Jun 23, 2008 12:31 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

That's too bad. The 12" iBook is such a compact and versatile computer, it ought to have a power adapter to match. Having two separate power adapters, or an inverter, just doesn't seem like an elegant Apple solution for computing on the road... hmmm

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Answer 3

Jun 30, 2008 9:00 PM in response to Scott Cook

if you have an AC cord and want it to be dc as well, than buy a power inverter for your car.
thats what I did.

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Answer 4

Scott Cook Author

Level 1

56 points

Jul 1, 2008 4:02 PM in response to darthrevan945

Yeah, I could do that I suppose. I just really don't like converting 12 volt DC to 120 volt AC only to convert it back to 12 DC again, you know? I'll probably get a separate DC adapter instead.

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Answer 5

Jul 1, 2008 5:00 PM in response to Scott Cook

Why not? It's more readily available and quite a bit cheaper than a DC adapter.

Just be certain to unplug it when starting your car. I was told that surges caused by starting the car could present a potential problem for the iBook.

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Answer 6

Scott Cook Author

Level 1

56 points

Jul 2, 2008 1:29 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

DC to AC inverters are very wasteful devices. They have to create an artificial sine wave in order to make AC. They produce a lot of heat and not a lot of electricity compared to the amount of power they use. My car is a 1965 Chevrolet with a 36 amp alternator. With the air conditioning running it just barely generates enough power to charge the battery. Adding extra heat for the air conditioning to remove and wasting a bunch of electricity doesn't seem like a good idea. The car generates 12 volt DC, which is what the iBook uses, so I don't need an inverter. Maybe I'll build my own DC adapter?... It's true that there's a huge power surge when the car starts, especially mine. My car has one of those big direct drive starters. It sounds really cool when it starts. All modern cars have small starters with gear reduction.

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Answer 7

Jul 2, 2008 3:32 PM in response to Scott Cook

I have a small inverter that doesn't produce a lot more electricity than the iBook needs. It cost less than $20 at Wal-Mart.

I've never noticed a heat problem. I don't think it gets any hotter than the AC adapter.

Likely, if someone did manufacture an all-in-one device, it would use inversion.

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Answer 8

Scott Cook Author

Level 1

56 points

Jul 3, 2008 2:01 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

Hmmm, I will have to check that out the next time I'm at Wally World.

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Answer 9

Scott Cook Author

Level 1

56 points

Jul 28, 2008 4:49 AM in response to Scott Cook

Here's the power supply I've been looking for:

http://files.acco.com/KENSINGTON/K33079/K33079-40.pdf

It provides power for Mac laptops at home, in the car, or in an airplane.

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Answer 10

Jul 28, 2008 11:03 AM in response to Scott Cook

Thanks for letting us know that one exists. I haven't been able to locate a place to buy one, though. Amazon had them at one time, but most of the reviews are less than enthusiastic. Maybe Kensington is rethinking the design?

http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-Universal-Macintosh-Notebooks-33079/dp/B0000T70 T0

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Answer 11

Scott Cook Author

Level 1

56 points

Jul 28, 2008 12:41 PM in response to Ronda Wilson

There's also the MFuel "World Pak" series, which is sold under the Belkin name too. There are different wattages available including 72W, 100W, and 120W. The iBook only uses about half the wattage any of these supply, so they're all overkill.

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