Help hardwiring my work laptop to 12v system

in Will's book,,,, he addresses powering a laptop via 12v....he says:

Powering a Laptop without an inverter
Powering a laptop with an inverter is a bit more inefficient than powering it with DC power, directly from your battery. If you use a laptop often, you will want to power it directly from a 12-volt source with a voltage converter. This will take your solar systems 12 volts, and bump it up to 17/19/24 volts, or whatever your laptop requires. The easiest way to do this is to find a laptop charger that can plug into a cigarette lighter. These chargers usually come with a variety of adapters so that they can work with different laptops. Usually, they can output different voltages to work with different laptops. If this works for your needs, you can splice the two power wires into your system, and attach it directly to the fuse block like any other appliance. You can also wire it directly to an XT-60 connector plug so that you can plug it in at different locations of your vehicle (if you have female plugs wired around your vehicle).
If you want to complicate things, you can buy what is called a bulk DC-DC converter. This simple device takes your solar system’s 12-volt power and converts it to whatever voltage you please. This complicates things because you will need to find a plug adapter so you can connect the converter to the laptop. Using a Bulk DC-DC converter can be incredibly useful for powering strange appliances that require weird voltages.
I will be charging these 2 laptops if possible:

1. Work laptop (Asus-like) --- 19.5v-- 6.15a--120w X 7 hrs .= 840 watt hrs.
2. Lenovo laptop -------------- 20v----2.25a---45w X 7 hrs = 315 watt hrs

Has anyone here used either of these ways to connect their laptop to 12v system?
1. (The easiest way to do this is to find a laptop charger that can plug into a cigarette lighter)
2. (If you want to complicate things, you can buy what is called a bulk DC-DC converter)
Thanks guys in advance,,
Blessings,
Russ

I have the pwr adapters for a Dell and Lenovo. They work just fine.

Have used both, but using the factory AC adapter via an inverter is the most reliable.

I think you mean "Buck dc-dc converter"

Thanks so much bgflyguy...... I'm assuming you are working directly from your cigarette lighter? And, did the charger come with a variety of adapters? (as mentioned in Will's book?)
Thanks again,
Russ

Thank you pollenface,,,,,, 2 things in your answer.
1. I do have a 2000 w inverter if needed,,,,, but,,,, when you say "is the most reliable",,,,,, do you mean inverter is more reliable than hardwiring to the 12v system?
2. I had to check Will's verbiage again,,,,,and he does say "bulk",,,,, you're right,,,, I'm sure he meant "buck" (I had to look it up,, not ever used one before)

I have 12v cigarette plugs, but you could splice them like Will says. They didnt come with other adapters though.

1. have had mixed reliability with "buck converters" (never heard of bulk converters). I have also had mixed reliability with aftermarket 12v adapters for my laptops (on one trip I was unable to charge my laptop at all after the first day and had to do everything on my smart phone therafter). I have never had an issue with using the OEM AC power supply via an inverter so in my experience this is the most reliable.

2. What is this "Wills verbiage" you speak of?

Thanks guys,,,, so helpful,,,,
Because this is a work computer,,, ,power reliability,,, and internet reliability are really important....... so I'm sad to hear that pollenface has had mixed reliability with "buck converters"
Copyright © 2017 William Errol Prowse IV wrote a book "Mobile Solar Power Made Easy!",,,,,,, He is a 10 yr. Rv'er,,,,,, and is really sharp on things electrical.
Thanks again guys,,,, awesome.
Russ

RussM said:

so I'm sad to hear that pollenface has had mixed reliability with "buck converters"

Click to expand...

Hah, all good mate

Why would you try to DIY this when you can buy something this for $30.


My daughters laptop cost $1200, my work laptop cost closer to $4K. No way on earth would I want to risk damaging either doing this.

not to mention that most laptops run on 20v not 12v

You can really use in good faith a boost DC converter at the place of your original power supply.
Inside the computer there is a bench of switching step down DC converters anyhow to build all the different voltages required by the electronics.
These step down converters will gracefully accept pretty much anything coming in around 19 volt with enough power.

But if you really absolutely want to use your original power supply, which is a switching power supply built for 100V-240VAC, you can also run it in confidence with 100V DC.
Just be a bit careful with yourself: 100V DC is more dangerous than 240V AC.

Thanks guys ,,,, all good thoughts...... I agree it may be too risky for the benefit to try this,,,,, I am just looking at all possibilities at this point.
1. To see if it is possible to run everything via DC,,,, not need my inverter at all.
2. I put this question to my computer guys yesterday,,,,,,to see if this is safely possible,,,, haven't heard back yet,,,
3. yes, my work laptop does require 19.5v,,,,,
Great thoughts,,,,, really appreciated,
Blessings,
Russ

Thanks for sharing the information! Hardwiring a work laptop to a 12V system sounds like an interesting project. I haven't tried it myself, but Will's suggestions seem like solid options to explore. Using a laptop charger that plugs into a cigarette lighter seems like the simpler approach, while a bulk DC-DC converter offers more flexibility but may require additional adapters.
I was just wondering how you did on that. It's always insightful to hear about others' experiences with DIY projects like this.
On a different note, if you're still searching for a laptop for other projects, I think I found the best laptop for Photoshop on a budget.