DC - AC power converter

Question

Level 1

50 points

DC - AC power converter

I'll be doing quite a bit of traveling in the next couple of days by car, and would like to be able to use my powerbook for the duration of the trip. Problem is...I don't have the hundred dollars (bleh...for ONE charger..) at the moment to buy a car charger for my powerbook. I do, however, have several older DC - AC powerbricks (brick plugs into the lighter outlet, then the brick has an AC outlet or two) sitting around from when we used to go camping. We used them for tv's and such. Now - Does anyone know if this is safe for my powerbook? I'd hate to blow out the powerbooks brick or worse, damage the computer itself..

1.67GHz Powerbook 17', Mac OS X (10.4.4), 100GB HD / 1 gig ram

Posted on Mar 7, 2006 10:02 PM

Reply

Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Mar 19, 2006 6:14 PM in response to C. Thomas

I don't think that brick is rated for the 70 watt power that your Powerbook needs. If anything, it would be undercharged, or the Powerbook would be overdrawing the power from that connector. Speak to Radio Shack. They may have a good power inverter for what you need. As for not having $100, I think you need to save up more for your trip in case you get lost, need to pay more for a hotel in emergency, or worse need to pay for a car to be towed or something. These things can happen on trips, and it is better to be prepared than not.

Reply

Answer 2

Hardy Geer

Level 4

3,166 points

Mar 20, 2006 6:56 AM in response to a brody

I think you are confused about what a power rating means. The rating gives the maximum it can supply and does not mean that must supply that much. The ac mains in your house can supply 1500 Watts but it is safe to connect a 60 Watt light.

Reply

Answer 3

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Mar 20, 2006 3:53 PM in response to Hardy Geer

Hardy,
A car is hardly a house! If it can supply 70 Watts of power as a steady A/C current with the right adapter, great. But if it underpowers the computer that won't be good either.

Reply

Answer 4

C. Thomas Author

Level 1

50 points

Mar 20, 2006 5:22 PM in response to a brody

Brody,
I travel more in a month than most travel their entire lives, i've got that covered, thanks for the advice, though. Now, let me get down to the specs of this device, maybe it'll shed some light on the subject.

It is called, '150 Watt power Inverter: Convert 12V DC to 120V AC'
Specifications:
Output voltage range: 110 -125 Volt AC RMS
Max Continuous Power : 150 Watt
Surge Capability (peak power): 300 watt/1 second
Input voltage range: 10 -15 volts DC
Replaceable fuse: 20 AMP

Reply

Answer 5

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Mar 21, 2006 3:17 AM in response to C. Thomas

That sounds like it will do the trick. It still is higher than the amount of wattage used by the power brick of the 17" Powerbook.

Reply

Answer 6

Apr 29, 2006 8:59 AM in response to C. Thomas

I'm sure this is waaaay after the fact, but just in case you are still traveling far more than the average bear (I do as well), and your adapter set-up isn't working ideally - or even if it is - TechRestore has a great auto/airplane adapter for about $50. I'm not sure what the shipping/tax situation for your home state, but if you travel that much, you can probably work that to your best favor, too.

Anyway, it's not $100+ so I thought I'd pass it along.

PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Reply