Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Notebooks > Car power adapter

Car power adapter
Thread Tools
ParabolStellavento
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Wareham, MA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 28, 2007, 11:04 PM
 
Is there any way to use a macbook through an adaptor to a cigarette lighter in a vehicle etc.?
     
mduell
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 28, 2007, 11:43 PM
 
Yes, with an inverter: Newegg.com - TRIPP LITE PV150 150W Power Inverter - Retail

It's not the most efficient way to do it, but it works and it's the cheapest way to do it.
     
peeb
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Mar 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Mar 1, 2007, 03:24 AM
 
BTW this is not specific to the MB, any electrical equipment can be plugged in.
     
Chaoticjoe
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Right behind you....
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Mar 2, 2007, 06:23 PM
 
Doesn't the Mag Safe Airline Adapter do that?
Hey...
     
mduell
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Mar 2, 2007, 07:14 PM
 
Originally Posted by Chaoticjoe View Post
Doesn't the Mag Safe Airline Adapter do that?
No. The MagSafe Airline Adapter is not compatible with automobile power ports.

And even if it was, it costs twice as much as an inverter.
     
walkerjs
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Mar 2, 2007, 10:52 PM
 
Originally Posted by peeb View Post
BTW this is not specific to the MB, any electrical equipment can be plugged in.
Not a 1/4 HP mini ShopVac, a hair dryer or a coffee maker. At least with the inverter I have (300 watts.)

But yes, an inverter will power just about any Mac power brick. 80 watts (or is it 85?) for a MBP, 60 watts for a MB. Well within the capacities of the cheaper inverters.
     
peeb
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Mar 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Mar 6, 2007, 08:13 PM
 
Well, I had that coming I suppose...
     
Bob Marley
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Mar 7, 2007, 06:54 PM
 
so do you have to buy a 65 watt one?
     
C.A.T.S. CEO
Professional Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: eating kernel
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Mar 7, 2007, 07:50 PM
 
Originally Posted by Chaoticjoe View Post
Doesn't the Mag Safe Airline Adapter do that?
Well look at the name.... Mag Safe AIRLINE Adapter
Signature depreciated.
     
mduell
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Mar 7, 2007, 08:06 PM
 
Originally Posted by Bob Marley View Post
so do you have to buy a 65 watt one?
65 watt what?

You want to oversize the inverter compared to the computer's power adapter because 1) consumer electronics always overstate power abilities and 2) DC-AC conversion isn't 100% efficient.
     
peeb
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Mar 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Mar 7, 2007, 08:42 PM
 
You want an inverter that has a capacity higher than the thing(s) that you want to run on it.
     
   
 
Forum Links
Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Top
Privacy Policy
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:16 AM.
All contents of these forums © 1995-2017 MacNN. All rights reserved.
Branding + Design: www.gesamtbild.com
vBulletin v.3.8.8 © 2000-2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.,