Alternator or Not!!!

[RIDE N FLY]

hey guy, i am trying to use my laptop in my truck using a inverter. but the problem is that i cant charge the laptop unless the vehicle is running. do i need a high output alternator? i have already installed a new battery. thanx for the help.

 

[WrenchGuy]

Cant you just leave it plugged into the inverter? You should be alright. Although i would hook the inverter up like an amp to the battery with 10GA. It will be easier on the electrical and the unit instead of tapping into the cigarette lighter.

 

[RIDE N FLY]

Even when its plugged into the inverter it will not keep it charged unless the truck is running. so i would need to run it straight to the battery itself?

 

[bahollis]

Inverter

It's probably the output of the inverter that's giving you issues. It may require a certain amount of power to charge, that the battery itself can't deliver.

Dunno, that's just my guess. It may even be that the battery does not have enough output all by itself for the inverter to charge.

BH

 

[Godti]

It's probably the output of the inverter that's giving you issues. It may require a certain amount of power to charge, that the battery itself can't deliver.

Dunno, that's just my guess. It may even be that the battery does not have enough output all by itself for the inverter to charge.

BH

+1


I have a inverter, it has a little gauge that tells how much its drawing and how much is being fed. When I come to a red light, the feed drops, and if I sit there too long, it will error out cause the laptop is pulling too much. Nature of the beast. Installing a different alternator does nothing unless the truck is running anyways. I know you can install a low rpm/high output alternator, which would cure my sitting at a light problem, but its not worth it to me.