inverter + laptop problem

**javii** · 01-03-2005, 06:58 PM

i'm having problem with a 300w inverter and a laptop, i have connected the inverter directly to my battery, and then connected to my laptop, i can see the laptop lcd charging his battery, but when i push the power on button on the laptop, the inverter does BEEEEEEP!, and the battery led on the inverter change from green to red, and the come back to green, and the laptop seems to be reseted and doesn't boot up.

But if i disconnect the laptop from the inverter, and then power on directly from his own battery, it starts (of course), and if I then connect it to the inverter, the laptop keeps on and charging his battery without any problem.

any help would be appreciated

**n8scstm** · 01-03-2005, 07:05 PM

is that a 300w surge(max) or 300w continuous? Not that it matters much because either way it should be over the required watts for a laptop. I know that some rechargable devices will not operate correcly(in fact it will kill the batteries) if your using a modified sine wave inverter (like you most likely have) rather than a pure sine wave inverter (which costs a fortune). Anyone know if mod. sine inverters will harm a laptop battery?

**KyferEz** · 01-03-2005, 08:35 PM

I have used an el-chepo inverter with a laptop for years, no problem. Most likely there is some other issue. What gauge wire did you use to connect the inverter to the battery, and how long is that wire?

The red light is most likely occuring because the inverter is sensing a low voltage, which leads me to believe you used too small of wire.

KyferEz

**n8scstm** · 01-04-2005, 04:10 PM

Its only a 300 watt inverter so a 10 guage wire at 15 feet would be sufficient. I didnt mention that because I assumed that he at least used 10 gauge wire. But you know what they say when you assume something. "You make an *** out of u and me." Sorry for missing that.

**EBFoxbat** · 01-04-2005, 05:06 PM

What's the output on the Laptops transformer brick? If it's 12 you could bypass the inverter infavor of a regulator.

**toadster123** · 01-04-2005, 05:30 PM

maybe the car's battery just didnt have enuff voltage to power the laptop right away (after starting the car)... try it without the car on... or after starting the car give it a minute

**javii** · 01-04-2005, 06:14 PM

is that a 300w surge(max) or 300w continuous?

i'm not sure which one it's, i haven't it here (it's in the car), in the box it said 300w inverter

Its only a 300 watt inverter so a 10 guage wire at 15 feet would be sufficient

I'm using the wire which came with the inverter, it's about 1 or 1.5 meters (3 or 5 feet said my nokia phone

), it's a temporary install still.

What's the output on the Laptops transformer brick?

18.5v 3.5A

try it without the car on... or after starting the car give it a minute

i have tried it

thank you for your help!

**n8scstm** · 01-05-2005, 12:17 PM

Does that mean it worked? If so, consider using a capacitor to compensate for those variations. I dont think it would take a very large one for something like that. Maybe a half farad.