Thread: Powering my laptop without a docking station.

Originally Posted by Thefdog

You need to look into the various solutions for powering on a laptop. Soldering another button onto the switch is only one way and not necessarily the best or easiest. Even if your inverter powers on, the laptop generally won't.

You can rig a switch, look into power on with USB device (mouse, keyboard, etc), power on with LAN connection, power on with modem, etc. There are posts for all of these options. You can generally set your laptop to run for a certain amount of time or battery life before it turns off, so you won't have to worry about that: except -->

When you windows crashes, and it will crash, only a hardwired switch can cut the power. Either one on the laptop switch or perhaps the inverter, but it may still run on batteries even with the inverter off. I wired a switch to the docking station that runs to the front of my car and gives me complete control. My start-up system goes like this - start computer by pressing button, start car (laptop batteries allow the pc to survive engine cranking), start monitor, listen to music.

Also, an inverter is generally a poor solution. I tried one and it introduced terrible alternator/engine whine into my sound system. A DC-DC laptop power supply is much better. I've wired a Kensington 120W power supply directly to my battery, with a relay that cuts power to the DC supply with the ignition switch. Car off, power to laptop off, laptop can run on batteries if desired, can start car and not lose a beat. I also spliced into the wires from the Kensington unit and found a 5V line that I use to power my USB hub.

Don't skimp on the power supply or you will regret it later. Read some more on the best way to do it, as it is likely the most important component of your setip. Most inverters, if left on, will eventullay drain your battery and then you be even more ****ed than the noise it may (will probably) cause. They are also very inefficient - DC to AC back to DC = lots of heat and power loss.

Just my two cents...

By inverter do you mean the thing that would go in between your laptop and the power source of the car?

So could i do this:

Wire one end of a Micro Shutdown Controller to the cigarette lighter 12V line and the other end to a Laptop Car charger. Then wire a switch somewhere on my dash to power the laptop (or use a wake on lan or usb device setup or something similar).

???

You said that "an inverter is generally a poor solution". In the setup i mentioned above, would the "inverter" be the "car laptop charger cord"? And also you said you wired a 120W power supply to your battery? Isn't the battery 12V? sorry about all my confusion, i'm not very knowledgeable with automotive electronics.


THANKS GUYS!