explorer0863
Lake Mary, FL
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I was always under the impression that when you are boondocking, you can charge your cell phone or your laptop computer by plugging the item to any camper outlet. Apparently I was wrong. My assumption was that TCs come with some type of converter to convert the power generated by the batteries to the regular household voltage. I haven't found one in my TC yet.
I wanted to know if the only way to charge/use my laptop is by buying one of those converters that plug in a cigarette lighter plug (my TC has one) and then connect the laptop or the cell phone to that.
Tony
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jauguston
Bellingham, WA
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If your TC doesn't have a built in inverter a power plug inverter will work just fine. I use a 100w max 75w continuous one for my DW's Dell.
Jim
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Rick From Sequim
Sequim, WA
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You can buy an INVERTER that plugs into the cigarette light type socket to charge both the phone and the laptop. The "home style 120 volt outlets" are only hot when on 120 volt shore power or with a generator connected to your shore power cord. A small inverter (400 watts or so) will be more than enough for the laptop and phone.
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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You may be able to buy a laptop brick that will run on 12V and charge the laptop.
We also have a 12V adapter for the cells which has proved handy for both car and MH trips.
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lanerd
Ridgecrest, CA
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You "convert" 120vac to 12vdc... and inversely, you "invert" 12vdc to 120vac.
If your TC doesn't have an "inverter" and you boondock frequently, you need to get one installed or buy a 2000 watt gas generator.
Be aware that "inverters" are not very electrically efficient and can drain a 12vdc battery quite rapidly if you're not careful.
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77charger
fullerton ca
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I added a 400 watt inverter under my sink cabinet area.Then put a household outlet under my 110 outlet that came with my lance(one by the kitchen counter).
I then got a small cord and ran that from my inverter to the outlet i added and wired that one.
NOw when i need 110 power for tv,sat,or whatever small things i need without the gen running i can use the inverter for that.When i switch to gen or shorepower i only have to move the cords a few inches.Is funny when someone plugs into my inverter outlet whenit is off and says my outlets dont work.
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Steve_in_29
29 Palms (SEMPER FI), CA 92277
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Just use your "car charger" to keep your cell phone charged.
The laptop can go either way, a 12V adapter or the inverter route.
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explorer0863
Lake Mary, FL
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77charger wrote:I added a 400 watt inverter under my sink cabinet area.Then put a household outlet under my 110 outlet that came with my lance(one by the kitchen counter).
Do you have pics of what you did? Sounds interesting.
In the meantime, I bought a Statpower Portawattz, dual receptacles, 300 watts inverter. It should do the trick for my laptop and cellphone.
Appreciate the opinions and ideas.
Tony
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mkirsch
Rochester, NY
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Don't get too crazy using that inverter. Even at 300 Watts, it'll suck your battery down FAST.
300 Watts is 25 Amps at 12 Volts at 100% efficiency. In reality the Amps are much higher than that, at least 35 Amps.
That's only about 2 hours of operation on a typical camper battery.
Of course a phone and computer won't draw anywhere near that... Laptops typically operate off 150 Watt inverters, and don't even push those to 100%.
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smkettner
Southern California
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The draw depends on what is plugged in. Cell phone will be very minor, laptop is usually about 65 watts or about 7 amps out of the battery.
BTW an inverter can be wired into your existing electric system with a transfer switch.
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