Charging laptop by solar

mickietucs

Getting close to purchasing a laptop before I go full time. Will be staying in the western part of the U.S. and although I realize there will be many days without sun (will miss AZ for that reason!), I would love to get some solar device for charging the laptop without breaking the bank (perhaps that's too far a reach). I know about GoalZero. Anyone have anything else they use for charging a laptop? Another question - if boondocking and the portable solar panel has done its job by keeping the T@B's battery a.o.k., can a laptop be charged at night inside with a dc to ac inverter? Does it drain the battery too much? I'll eventually get a generator to supplement my Zamp but wondered about solar possibilities. Thanks!

jkjenn

mickietucs said:

Getting close to purchasing a laptop before I go full time. Will be staying in the western part of the U.S. and although I realize there will be many days without sun (will miss AZ for that reason!), I would love to get some solar device for charging the laptop without breaking the bank (perhaps that's too far a reach). I know about GoalZero. Anyone have anything else they use for charging a laptop? Another question - if boondocking and the portable solar panel has done its job by keeping the T@B's battery a.o.k., can a laptop be charged at night inside with a dc to ac inverter? Does it drain the battery too much? I'll eventually get a generator to supplement my Zamp but wondered about solar possibilities. Thanks!

Michele, there are a lot of options and because the charging tips and power requirements are so diverse, I recommend you pick out your laptop first, then find a matching battery bank. The GZ devices are really means to be a multi-purpose charging tool, and you might find other good multi-pupose charging tools, too, but you can definitely find cheaper solutions. One advantage to the GZ products, like the Yeti line, is that you can replace the battery inside, However, you don't necessarily need an inverter to do this as some battery packs will convert the power or give you a DC adapter for your laptop. Once you have a laptop purchased, I would do an Amazon and an Internet search for your laptop mode and battery pack. So, for example, I would search for Surface Pro 3 battery pack. I then generally search the Amazon reviews to make sure that the people who are using it for the same device as me are happy with the performance. Here is a list of what is out there for just a general search: http://amzn.to/1KhCWHo

Nomad

Michele - I have a MacBook, iPad, iPhone, camera batteries, electric razors, bluetooth speakers, etc. - Generally they all get charged via my T@B battery via my main Zamp panels. Those with USB cables connect into the cigarette lighter and I find they don't draw much or affect my T@B battery charging overnight or anytime for that matter. For the rest which are AC, I have an inverter wired directly to my T@B battery and once my T@B is fully charged each morning via the Zamp, I plug in whatever needs charging. The inverter just sits in the propane tub on top of the dump hose. I run an extension cord to the side window if I'm not sitting outside and charging. Works great.
I have another small inverter in my Jeep so I can charge none usb devices while traveling.
Of course I use the generator - or hit a library or something - on the bad weather, no sun days.

Verna

Just match the size of inverter to the size that you need for your laptop.  My small inverter will not charge my Dell, so I have changed to a MacBook Air, which is easily charged by the inverter.  I can charge the iPad and iPhone via the USB ports inside the T@B or the Tacoma, so they don't take anything special.  

Nomad

The MacBooks have really great battery life also. If one hasn't had a new laptop for awhile, you'll be amazed.

jkjenn

In general, newer PCs, especially ones with solid state laptops are going to be more energy efficient and give you better battery life. 

mickietucs

I am leaning toward the MB Air. So what inverter did you get for it Verna?  I can't just get a dc to ac adapter for inside the T@b?  I need an inverter to charge the Air in the truck? The truck has both a 12v plug AND a usb plug. Sorry - this stuff confuses me a bit. 

Nomad

The MabookAirs are very energy efficient. The circuitry takes up hardly any more room than an iPhone and the rest is a custom shapped battery to fill it out.

Verna

mickietucs said:

I am leaning toward the MB Air. So what inverter did you get for it Verna?  I can't just get a dc to ac adapter for inside the T@b?  I need an inverter to charge the Air in the truck? The truck has both a 12v plug AND a usb plug. Sorry - this stuff confuses me a bit. 

As PXLated says, they are very power efficient.  But, you'll need a 110V outlet (with the equipment that came with mine), and that means you'll need an inverter with a 110V outlet.  I have an inexpensive (under $50) Stanley 500 watt inverter.  BUT, I have it plugged into a 12V accessory outlet (cigarette lighter outlet), which takes the available wattage down to 100 watts.  IF I wired it directly to the battery, it would have an output of 500 watts. So, you do need to read the instructions that come with it.

Yes, I guess you could charge it from your truck during the day with the 12V plug, as long as your inverter will work with the alternator in your truck.  

If there is a USB adapter available for the MacBook Air, Michele, I am not aware of it, nor have I looked for one.  I've just used the cords that came with it. 

I do have a 600 watt inverter that must be wired to the battery.  I ran out of time at home, so it didn't get installed in time for my trip.  It may or may not get installed while I'm enjoying the warm temps.  Since I know I can charge the MacBook Air with the Stanley inverter, I'm not in as much of a hurry to get the permanent one installed. 

Nomad

I have a 300 watt inverter in the Jeep I plug into the cigarette lighter plug and it charges my MacBook-Pro just fine while traveling.
They used to make (maybe still do) a cigarette lighter plug but they called it an airplane charger - looked just like one for a car but they didn't recommend it for that for some reason.

jkjenn

PXLated said:

I have a 300 watt inverter in the Jeep I plug into the cigarette lighter plug and it charges my MacBook-Pro just fine while traveling.
They used to make (maybe still do) a cigarette lighter plug but they called it an airplane charger - looked just like one for a car but they didn't recommend it for that for some reason.

I am able to charge with the built in inverter in the Jeep. Why do you go a different route? Faster?

Nomad

I don't have one of those fancy Jeeps with a builtin inverter like some evidently do :-)
Or, if there is one I've never come across it.

mickietucs

Jenn - I like the GZ products but was looking for other options as well.

PXL - wouldn't know the first thing about hard wiring an inverter to my battery. I don't have any other devices other then my iPhone and Kindle so perhaps an inverter like Verna has will work.

Verna - how would I know if an inverter "works with the alternator in my truck" --- I thought if a vehicle has usb ports one could charge a device by plugging right into that.  But I guess, like inside T@B even if there are usb plugs, if we're boondocking we still need the inverter --- correct?

Nomad

Michele - Verna and I are talking the same thing (inverters) I just happen to have two. One I plug into my Jeep cigarette lighter and one that could be plugged into a cigarette lighter but I just connected the wire directly to my battery. Both of my inverters came with two cables, one for the cigarette lighter and one for direct connection. Connecting the latter was no more than connecting the red wire to the positive battery terminal and the black one two the negative. The only reason I hooked it directly was it has a fan that drives me nuts when plugged into the cigarette lighter inside the T@B. The side benefit (as Verna mentioned) is it puts out more watts so harges things faster.
For anything that has a USB cable you don't need an inverter. You only need the inverter for things that have a standard household plug - computer, etc.
I've never heard of a standard low wattage inverter 3/400 watt not working with a cars alternator - I could see it with one of the high wattage units like big RVs and truckers use but those do require a direct battery connection. Maybe Verna could explain her thinking on that.
Again, you only need an inverter for things that require standard household current and have a standard plug like a coffee pot or hair dryer.

Here's what one looks like - This one has two 110 outlets o the front...The cigarette lighter or battery cable connect to the back...

Nomad

I bought mine in large truck stops as I needed them but most auto supply stores would have them also if you wanted to look at one. The box usually has a chart on the back listing what size inverter you'd need to run various items - computer, hair dryer, etc.

jkjenn

PXLated said:

I don't have one of those fancy Jeeps with a builtin inverter like some evidently do :-)
Or, if there is one I've never come across it.

I thought it was standard on the Wranglers? Mine was on the center console and had a cover over it. After plugging it in, you had to turn it in with a button on from center console, towards the bottom.

Nomad

Nothin on my center counsel - Maybe it an auto tranny thing.

Ratkity

You "Jeep Peeps" are a unique bunch!! I only say that because my future Bro-in-Law has one and geeks out with the other Jeepers in the camping group. Just makes you more interesting when reading your posts!!

mickietucs

PXL - good explanation (thank you) and picture of what you got. Guess that wiring doesn't sound too complicated.  I will be seeing Verna in a few weeks at Why so will take a look at her set-up and talk more about her MB Air. I'm about a month or so out from buying the laptop so have a little time (as if you couldn't tell, I tend to do a bunch of research and ask questions before making purchases of this nature)!

jkjenn

PXLated said:

Nothin on my center counsel - Maybe it an auto tranny thing.

You have the Sport model, right? I think that was the only one that didn't include it, IIRC. Doesn't charge more than a laptop, but it does the trick. My Grand Cherokee has one, too, plus USB and DC outlets.

Nomad

Nope - Sahara.

Verna

mickietucs said:

PXL - good explanation (thank you) and picture of what you got. Guess that wiring doesn't sound too complicated.  I will be seeing Verna in a few weeks at Why so will take a look at her set-up and talk more about her MB Air. I'm about a month or so out from buying the laptop so have a little time (as if you couldn't tell, I tend to do a bunch of research and ask questions before making purchases of this nature)!

Yes, we can talk later.  I saw a MacBook Pro here at Yuma and it's really not that much larger than my Air.  But it sure costs a lot more!  My Air is smaller than my energy hog Dell and I like that.  I bought the MacBook Air at an online Best Buy 4-hour sale.  I checked Amazon and couldn't get one less expensive, so I purchased it.  It had to be shipped to follow the 4-hour sale rules, so I had to wait a couple of days while it was shipped free to the closest store. 

Your USB port is fine for charging lower voltage gadgets like the iPhone and battery packs and hot spots.  The MacBook Air takes more power than the the USB port takes.  That's why you need an inverter with a 110V plug (household plug).  I actually have a built-in inverter in the rear of my truck, but I've never used it.  I get 100 watts if the ignition is turned on, and 400 watts if the engine is turned on.  Nothing with the engine and key turned off.  I guess I could charge my cordless drill batteries or my Dust Buster while traveling with it, but there's nothing else that I can think of to charge while moving. I wouldn't want my laptops in the rear of the truck--that just a "me" thing.  Mileage may vary with others. 

In my research, I found that I could use a non-pure sine wave inverter (meaning a less expensive inverter such as my Stanley) as long as I didn't turn the MacBook Air on during charging.  If I want to charge it while using it, I must have a pure sine wave inverter, such as my 600 watt that must connect to the battery.  While I haven't tried connecting it to the 12V accessory plug, the directions say it must be connected to the battery.  I'll connect it to the battery when I figure out how to run the two #2 leads to the battery from inside the T@B.  I do not want to drill holes through the floor.  I know Jenn went through the floor with the vent for the fridge, but I really haven't looked at my different options.  My #2 cables are 72" long, so I'm limited to that length.  I'll figure it out....obviously not in a hurry since the 12V to the Stanley inverter is working for my needs.