Charge ACER in car on trip

I have read the other posts about car chargers, but I'm really new at this and don't understand those posts. I would like to be able to recharge my Aspire One often in the car, but I have been told conflicting stories on the best way to go about doing that. Some people have said to just buy a cheap car charger and use it. Others say most car chargers will only deliver a trickle charge to the computer and will damage the battery. Others say I should buy an inverter; prices seem to range from about $20 to $200. Please tell me what I actually need to buy to do what I want to do without harming the computer.

 

A low cost Inverter would be enough since the AAO power brick uses very little power. A 150w model will be more than enough. I use one for all my laptops and ipods & iphone with no problems whatsoever. I'd recommend this over some cheap car charger with the same voltage, at least you have peace of mind that you're pluggin in the original AC adapter to your Aspire One. Cheers.

 

Maplins do a nice one, I use one in my lorry.

 

B&Q as well. Inverter looks like coffee cup and matching all the brackets for such a use. On top of that there is also USB output for mobile phones charging. I'm using and I'm really happy...


http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=97788 and this: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?cri ... &source=15

 

I bought the cheapest inverter I could find when two laptops ago, and have never had a problem with it. I've often let my laptop charge overnight; never had a problem with it damaging or draining the car's battery.

 

I've spent my entire career and more in electronics and I have never heard of a trickle charge damaging a battery and can't think of a way a trickle charge could damage a battery if it is designed for the proper or lower voltage and current.

 

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2421176

Will this one be alright to keep my AAO plugged into all the time? I'm not worried about when the car is off, its Japanese, so the cigarette lighter socket is switched off when the car is off.

 

maybe donec can answer this since he's spent so many years in electronics, but is one type of inverter better than another when it comes to powering sensitive electronic equipment, ie. our laptops, using an inverter?

 

Really it should be OK but it really depends on the circuitry in the inverter. If it is a transformer inverter then it is possible that leaving it plugged in with the battery inserted there could be some drain on the battery. I personally would disconnect the cable to the computer when you turn off the engine.

 

Yes it can make a difference.

Some inverters are not well filtered and if the engine powering the inverter is running ruff or the alternator is not producing a smooth signal then the poor quality current could be passed onto the computer but the brick for the AAO should offer enough protection. However! The inverters designed for electronics equipment are usually pretty well filtered so they can produce even current flow.

 

Sometimes less is better, especially when it comes to a tangle of cords in your car.

How about this?

http://www.expansys-usa.com/p.aspx?i=171139

 

darkteckno, I suspect that the adapter will get quite hot if used much and may not produce very smooth current.

 

One of the reviews says it melted the tip when used with a 19v laptop. Sounds like something to stay away from since the AAO is 19v.

 

I've had one of these adaptors (or a very similar looking one!) for the past couple of years, and had no problems using it on a Dell (also 19v), a Compaq (18v), a couple of Panasonic Toughbooks (15v), and now my AAO.

I got a second one for a friend and it worked fine on his Sony laptop for months in his own car, then melted the car end connector first time he used it in a rental car, so I suspect it was a bad contact on the lighter socket in the rental car causing the overheating. Replaced the connector and is still working fine.

Personally I prefer using a dedicated car adaptor rather than an inverter, as I've always got a backup method of charging my laptop if either adaptor fails. Also I don't have to carry the power brick around with me (and end up accidentally leaving it in the car overnight, then having to get out of bed on a cold morning to retrieve it).

 

I have an Empower (plane) adaptor that cost about 8 quid, it has a car plug adaptor with it as well