Hey Mark,

I have a 1000 watt Harbor Freight inverter in the van that isn't noisy
and draws negligible current when idling or driving low loads.

But for computer use, I have an eBay 12 volt input DC power supply.

Most laptops I've seen use 19VDC, and those eBay universal power
supplies are switchable to 19VDC, among other voltages.

The power supplies come with a selection of plugs, you need to pick the
one that fits the computer. Then make sure it's not hooked up with
polarity (+ and -) reversed.

The AC power supply that came with the laptop will have a symbol on it
indicating whether the center pin is + or -, and the desired DC voltage
(19V or other) will be marked as well.

--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
Bend, Ore.
1984 Westfalia. A poor but proud people.
1971 "Ladybug"-brand utility trailer ca. 1972 from a defunct company in
San Clemente, Calif., now repurposed as The Westrailia.

Sent from my kitchen.

On 11/10/2011 02:22 PM, Mark Tuovinen wrote:
> We need to add a power inverter to our van as we will be traveling and want
> to be able to charge the laptop computer battery.  Would any List Member
> whom has knowledge on this subject please advise/assist in helping me
> choose a unit that we be sufficient for this and maybe able to handle a bit
> more should need arise.  For now our primary concern is the computer but if
> there is a unit that can handle more for a reasonable price I would
> probably purchase it as our needs may change in the future.
>
> TIA
>
> Mark in AK
> `87 Westy Syncro