My laptop runs off 24 volts DC. I built an inverter using the Linear Tech
LT1070 chip. It generally draws between 0.5 and 1 amp at 24v (that's 1 to
2 amps at 12v) when the disk drive is running but that power comsumption
drops when the disk drive goes idle.
I've run it at least 12 hours from a small tractor battery with no
problems.
The neat thing about the LT1070 supply in "current-boosted boost mode" is
that the input voltage can vary from anything between 5 and 50 volts and
the output will stay rock-solid at 24 volts; the input current demand just
changes in proportion to the input voltage.
73, Zack W9SZ
On Sun, 20 Jun 2004, Bill Tippett wrote:
> Do any of you folks have experience running
> a laptop from battery power via an inverter? I will be
> operating Field Day from a remote location and cannot
> use a generator. I'll be using my K2 QRP with a fully-
> charged 75AH deep-cycle marine battery topped off by
> a 3W solar cell. I'm planning to dedicate my RV's 84AH
> battery to the laptop via an inverter. I'll put the laptop into
> maximum power-conservation mode but I cannot seem
> to find any specs on what its power consumption may be.
> The label on the laptop simply says "100-240V and 0.68-
> 0.37A" which I assume is at maximum power-consumption.
> This implies about 70 Watts and I'm wondering if I can make
> it through 24 hours even in max power-conservation mode.
> Has anyone been down this road before?
>
> If the 84AH battery dies, backup plans are:
>
> 1. Run the laptop for 3 hours from its internal battery.
> 2. Switch to a second laptop for another 3 hours.
> 3. Switch to the 75AH battery if there is enough power
> left for both the K2 and laptop.
> 4. Switch to my truck battery...last resort since I also
> need to get home! ;-)
> 5. Pencil and paper (ugh!)
>
> Help please!
>
> Bill W4ZV
>
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
|