How to charge a laptop from a car. DIY laptop charger from cigarette lighter

Content

Today, a laptop is a popular gadget, second in popularity only to smartphones. It is used for work, study and entertainment. Modernity dictates new rules of life: people do not sit in one place, they love to travel and they always take their favorite laptop with them. And they often encounter a problem when the computer’s power indicator quickly becomes empty and the only available option is to put it in the car to charge.

Ways to charge a laptop

In fact, not everything is as hopeless as it might sound. Modern technologies include three working options for charging a laptop in a car:

12V adapter. Specialized equipment for 220V, which is connected to the cigarette lighter. It has outputs for charging various devices, including laptops, smartphones, electric shavers, etc. Provides sufficient energy only when the ignition is on.
Car charger for laptops. Universal or suitable only for the model of your laptop computer. It is desirable that the manufacturer be the same as that of the laptop, but not all brands produce such devices.
Autonomous starting and charging device. A small box that works on the principle of a power bank. First, the portable device is charged from the mains, after which you can connect almost any device to it.

How to choose the right charger

A car charger adapter works in the same way as a regular laptop charger - it converts the current received from the network into the energy needed by the gadget. The only difference is what such equipment is connected to. The main parameters to pay attention to when choosing:

Characteristics of a laptop computer. It is necessary that the auto adapter corresponds to them - it does not overload the power supply, but passes a sufficient amount of charge.
Type of laptop output connector. Ports such as USB are standard on all devices, but charging sockets may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Your task is to select a plug compatible with the connector.
Wire fastening. Look for models that offer additional protection for the area where the plug connects to the rest of the equipment.
Length of the wire and dimensions of the accessory. This is especially true if you plan to charge your laptop from the cigarette lighter. It is better if the kit is compact and the length of the wire is adjustable, but this is a matter of convenience and does not affect performance in any way.
Price. Can be purchased inexpensively in an online store with delivery. However, in a regular store, you can consult a salesperson and conduct testing using a dealer scanner. On the Internet, there is no guarantee that immediately after purchase the device will work normally and that it will not have to be taken to a service center.

Laptop charger from cigarette lighter

Connecting to the cigarette lighter is easy - you just need to connect a suitable plug to the connector. It requires minimal effort. It is much more difficult to choose the right equipment among the assortment. There are no instructions for this, but there are general rules:

Volts and amperes should be the same as indicated on the power supply of the “native” laptop charging.
It is recommended to purchase equipment with overload protection.
Pay attention to the voltage of the cigarette lighter, if you have a car and the accessory was purchased for a truck, the car battery or the laptop itself will fail due to such recharging.

12 V adapter

This is a charger for a laptop in a car in the form of an inverter - an adapter that connects to the car's cigarette lighter on one side and has a USB output (or another type of port) on the other. The average power of the device is 150 V. It functions as a converter of car battery energy into power for a laptop or other device powered by electricity.

The advantages are ease of use, compactness and versatility - you can maintain the performance of not only a laptop, but also a smartphone or tablet (but you shouldn’t get carried away so as not to overload the engine). The main disadvantage is that the equipment charges only if the ignition is turned on. The price range of the adapter is from 1,490 to 6,130 rubles.

This accessory is only suitable for computers. It looks like a regular charger, but it receives electricity not from the mains, but directly from the cigarette lighter, so it has a plug corresponding to this connector. In order for the device to fit all laptop models, adapters are needed. The advantage of such a charger is that it is very easy to charge. Disadvantage: wires. You can buy an accessory for RUB 2,000.

For those who travel for long periods of time, it is important to know whether you can charge your laptop in the car. Yes, it is possible to do this, you just need to know some subtleties. The procedure is carried out from the cigarette lighter, and thanks to this there is no need to wait until the equipment is charged from the outlet at home.

How to charge a laptop in the car? This process will not be difficult for any computer owner.

Cigarette lighter charging

A car laptop adapter is considered an important thing for a business person, especially for someone who is constantly driving. Equipment discharges at any time, and there are not outlets everywhere. This means that in order to constantly have access to a computer, you need to use modern tools.

How to charge a laptop in a car using the cigarette lighter? Connecting to the named source will be sufficient for the operation of your equipment. But the voltage of the device is not 220 V, but less. Therefore, you need to use a special adapter that converts voltage and supplies electrical current with the necessary parameters.

Operating from the mains, it also has such a device. The network parameters are not suitable for the type of current that the power supply requires, so the converter is considered its main component. The adapter has a similar operating principle.

Features of chargers

Chargers have different characteristics. The back panel of the equipment contains information about what output voltage is suitable for the equipment. As a rule, this indicator is 15-25 Volts, and the current strength is 4-5 Amperes. This information must be taken into account when choosing an adapter.

Power supplies have different connectors, since each equipment has its own types of outputs. Therefore, it is advisable to choose a device from the same manufacturer as your laptop. Another characteristic is the properties of the cigarette lighter. The output voltage is 10-12 Volts, and the truck's is 25 V. Chargers are not suitable for every vehicle.

Is it harmful?

Not everyone knows that you can charge a laptop in a car. It won't harm the car, but what about the laptop? How does this affect technology?

There is an opinion that you should not connect a laptop computer to the cigarette lighter, since the power supply here is completely different when compared to a regular power supply. This is true, but this is precisely why the adapter is used. And if you choose a device that is suitable for all its properties, then you can easily charge your laptop while traveling. And on the road there will be no problems with this.

Charger Specifications

It is better to consult a specialist on how to charge a laptop in the car. To do this, it is advisable to contact electronics stores. They sell car power supplies from different manufacturers, suitable for specific ones. Each charger has its own parameters, and they are tested before being put on sale.

Let's continue to figure out how to charge a laptop in the car. To recharge, you need to use a car inverter - in the car it will serve as a 220 V outlet for your laptop. In principle, it can be used for any technique. In general, an adapter connected to a laptop computer through the cigarette lighter is considered the most convenient charging option, since it consumes little energy and is safe.

Standalone device

If it is not entirely clear how to charge a laptop in a car, then you should familiarize yourself with the principle of operation of the transport adapter. Its power is kept within 150 W. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a device that is protected from overload. Charging occurs with the ignition on, that is, with the engine running, since when the converter is connected to the cigarette lighter, the battery quickly runs out.

You need to purchase a stand-alone adapter with the same number of Volts and Amperes as on the equipment’s power supply. Better yet, as we have already said, buy a device of the same brand as the computer. The charging process lasts about 3 hours, while the phone can be charged in an hour.

Purchase

Often in the assortment of specialized stores you can find universal devices that help solve the problem of how to charge a laptop in a car. The said set usually contains at least 4 adapters. When purchasing, you need to check if there is a suitable connector. The cost of universal devices ranges from 500 to 2,000 rubles.

But no matter which adapter you choose, it is connected in the same sequence - one end of the charger is connected to the cigarette lighter, and the other (with a suitable adapter) to the laptop.

If the store does not have a device with a suitable connector, then you should contact the dealer network of your laptop manufacturer. But the original charger costs more - about 2,000-2,500 rubles.

When choosing, pay attention to some nuances:

There must be protection at the junction of the wire and the connector. If it is missing, then this is where the wire will break.
Wire length. In all cars the cigarette lighter is located in different places. Therefore, it is advisable to buy a charger with a long wire that can be adjusted.

It should be taken into account that high-quality devices have special protection against short circuits. The remaining characteristics do not matter, so the product can be anything in appearance, design and weight. If you buy a suitable charger, you can always infect your laptop in the car. This is very convenient, because the equipment can work on the go.

Summer is the time for vacations, travel and forays into the forest or sea. Who among us doesn’t dream of getting out of a stuffy office on a fine summer day, jumping into a car and heading off to adventure?

When traveling, there is often a need to charge various gadgets, without which many can no longer imagine their lives. In such cases, a socket (car inverter) in the car is very useful, which is not difficult to install.

It is difficult to find a second accessory for a car that is as useful as a voltage converter (inverter). In short, it adds a 220V outlet to any vehicle, allowing you to plug in anything from a laptop to a flat screen TV.

Imagine a TV (up to 30 inches) broadcasting a live match right inside your car. Or plug in the microwave and heat up something tasty for yourself.

What is a car inverter?

Modern cars are equipped with a huge number of battery-powered devices. They are all rated for 12V, but what about situations where 220V is required? A car inverter will come to the rescue - a voltage converter from 12 V to 220 V. This is a real lifesaver for motorists, which will allow you to use household appliances in the car, such as a home audio system, TV or refrigerator. A high-quality converter is equipped with protective mechanisms that protect the device from fire if it overheats. There are also models on the market that provide active air-type cooling.

Externally, inverters are small boxes connected to the cigarette lighter or to the vehicle's electrical system. They are equipped with multiple outlets for household appliances, and some units even include USB ports for connecting mobile gadgets.

Car inverter, or how to make a 220 volt outlet in a car?

Almost all modern car power converters are equipped with two USB ports and an AC outlet. Dual USB ports can charge most phones and tablets simultaneously, and AC outlets are great for lights, laptops, breast pumps, ventilators, inhalers, game consoles, TVs, refrigerators, DVD players, grinders, drills , microwaves, flashlights, iPads and many other electronic devices.

The inverter can be powered through the cigarette lighter in the car using the appropriate cable or directly from the battery.

A car inverter is ideal for travel: it is often a small device, about 20 cm long and about 10 cm wide, compact and convenient. Extremely portable and lightweight. Weight – about 1 kg.

A good inverter always has a protection system - a built-in fuse to protect your device. Safe charging design provides protection against overheating, surges, short circuits and overloads.

The durable metal casing provides improved protection against moisture and shock. Built-in ultra-quiet cooling fan helps prevent overheating.

Depending on the planned tasks, when purchasing, be sure to pay attention to the value of the output power that the converter has.

How do expensive inverters differ from cheap ones?

Unlike most devices and gadgets, the cost of a converter does not depend on the popularity of the brand, but on its power and other functions. Experts divide inverters into three categories:

Up to 300 W– the least powerful models, which are most often connected through the cigarette lighter. Some devices in this category can be connected directly to the car's electrical network, but this will require a lot of effort. Motorists mainly buy such devices to charge mobile devices and some laptop models, although most often it is easier to simply connect the charger to the cigarette lighter.

300 W - 1500 W– standard inverters that are connected to the machine’s electrical network. They can be used to connect a TV, microwave oven, laptops and other devices.

Over 1500 W– especially powerful converters that are connected only to the car’s battery. They can be used for work in wild areas (for example, when it comes to construction).

When choosing an inverter, make sure that it exceeds the power of your gadgets by about 20-30%. Connecting a device that is too powerful can result in failure of the inverter and damage to the wiring in the car (at least in theory).

If you intend to use appliances that require at least 220V, choose inverters with a capacity of more than 1500 W, since 300 W models are unlikely to provide voltage above 200V.

Three modes of operation of automobile inverters

Startup mode- in this mode, the device quickly delivers maximum power in order to “start” something demanding. In this mode, the converter will not be able to operate for a long time.

Normal mode- in this mode, the inverter maintains its normal power as long as required.

Overload mode- especially powerful mode. In this mode, the device can operate for up to half an hour and produce power 1.5 times greater than declared.

Any qualified specialist will confirm that no device can function at its maximum capacity for a long time. The same applies to inverters - if you do not want the device to fail, try to use it in normal mode and do not overload it too often.

One of the most vital accessories for a motorist is a charger for a laptop, tablet or phone. Moreover, it doesn’t matter at all whether you are going on a long business trip or watching a movie on your laptop on the way to work, since today most of our lives are spent using these useful gadgets and devices.

Let’s immediately answer the question: is it harmful to charge a laptop using such a charger? Many people believe that a laptop “charger” from the cigarette lighter can cause a short circuit, since the power supply in this case will not be the same as when connected to a regular power supply. This conclusion would be appropriate if the conversation was about direct connection to the cigarette lighter, but if you use a special adapter for charging, you won’t have such problems. The main thing is to choose a high-quality cigarette lighter charger for your laptop, phone or tablet. To do this, you need to pay attention to the features of such devices.

Phone charger

In order to quickly charge a phone, a voltage of 5 Volts is required, with a current of at least 0.5 A (it is better to give preference to 1 Amp models).

Important! Be sure to pay attention to the output of such a “charger”; it should have the inscription “Output” on it. Such devices last the longest, and failure of the smartphone due to charging in this case is excluded.

If we talk about the types of these devices, then a phone charger from a cigarette lighter may differ in design and characteristics, for example there are:

If we talk about price, then such a car charger for a smartphone from a cigarette lighter with several USB costs from 200 to 650 rubles.

Healthy! The voltage (V) on the charger can exceed the corresponding value on the phone by no more than 5%.

Tablet charger

Most car owners mistakenly believe that charging from a smartphone can also be used for a tablet. In fact, modern tablets with “serious hardware”, which are gradually turning into very powerful units, require a higher charge current, equal to 9 Volts. The output ampere in this case still needs 1-2 A.

Based on this, if you connect the tablet to a 5-volt phone charger, its controller will burn out. Therefore, under no circumstances should you use a telephone charger for tablet computers.

In order not to risk your gadget, it is best to purchase a charger specifically for your tablet or use a Power Bank equipped with outputs for all modern devices, including laptops.

Laptop charger

A charger for a laptop is an adapter that allows you to convert the amount of current received into that required by a specific device. The principle of operation of such a “charger” is the same as that of a conventional charger that you use at home.

To choose a car option, you need to pay attention to the characteristics of the laptop. To do this, look at its bottom panel, where the required voltage is usually indicated. Most often it ranges from 15 to 25 Volts, with a current of 4-8 A.

You should also pay attention to the type of laptop output connector. They usually differ depending on the manufacturer, but sometimes gadgets of the same brand may have different connectors.

Another important point is that not all laptop chargers may be suitable for your car. Therefore, when choosing, do not forget to check the output voltage in the cigarette lighter. If the incoming voltage in the laptop is 12-16 Volts, and the charger was purchased for a truck or van, where the voltage at the cigarette lighter is 24 V, then this can lead to failure of the charger, and sometimes the laptop itself.

What characteristics should you pay attention to when purchasing a charger?

When choosing a charger, pay attention to:

Wire fastening. Particular attention should be paid to the junction of the rein and the connector, since this area must be sealed with special protection. If it is not there, then it is in this place that the wire will break, which is why the “charger” will quickly fail.
Wire length. The cigarette lighter is located in different places in different cars. Based on this, make sure that the wire is not short. It is better to buy a charger with a long wire, which you can adjust and secure in a way that is more convenient for you.

In addition, it is worth noting that good chargers are equipped with special short circuit protection.

Other characteristics, such as the physical size of the charger, the presence of a charge indicator and much more, do not play any role and are not responsible for the performance of a particular charger model.

In conclusion

Although today you can find many Chinese devices on the market, manufacturers who promise that they are suitable for emergency situations should not be trusted. Especially if you plan to charge your laptop in the car. It may be much more convenient to purchase an additional battery or find another, safer way to recharge such a large gadget.

Recently, the need arose for an adapter to power a laptop from a 12-volt vehicle electrical system. Such devices are quite rare on sale; to be honest, I have never seen them in my electronics store. Well, of course, an experienced radio amateur can always do it with his own hands. Without thinking twice, I used a search engine to “dig up” diagrams of such devices.

Charging circuit for a laptop from a car cigarette lighter

I assembled the most popular circuit using the NE555 timer. In the circuit, the timer is connected in pulse generator mode; in my case, I set the frequency to around 110 kHz. The power of the circuit as a whole is about 100 watts, the output voltage is 19 volts (stabilized) at a current of up to 5 Amps, but I think you can remove more if you really want to.

The power element is a powerful field-effect transistor, I used the most affordable one - IRFZ44 with a current of 49 amperes, but if desired, you can use the more powerful IRF3205 - in order to increase the output current of the circuit. The trick of such an adapter is that the output voltage is stabilized and is not affected by changes in the vehicle’s on-board network.

It is advisable to install a 10 Amp fuse at the input and a diode to prevent power overload. The choke is wound on a ring made of powdered iron, consists of 21 turns with a 1-1.5 mm wire, it can be dug out in a computer power supply.

In our charging circuit, the charging choke plays the role of a storage device, the pulses from it are rectified by the diode assembly and accumulated in the output capacitor, the operating voltage of the latter is at least 25 Volts, the capacity is 1000-4700 μF. It is worth installing a small filter at the input of the device to smooth out ripples and interference from the car network, but if desired, they can be excluded.