• Have you tried out dark mode?! Scroll to the bottom of any page to find a sun or moon icon to turn dark mode on or off!

diy solar

diy solar

Laptop/Camping Charger

F

fakdaddy

New Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2022
Messages
58
Hey guys
What do you need to use an existing LIFEPO4 battery to safely charge a macbook pro when out in the field so to speak.
I assume some sort of voltage regulator and a way to plug it in ?

Assume its been done many times - link ? or video ?


thanks
 
If it's not ...... can you just wire an inverter direct to the battery and run your accessories from that ?
 
fakdaddy said:
If it's not ...... can you just wire an inverter direct to the battery and run your accessories from that ?
Click to expand...
yes wire your inverter with fuse to battery, plug in normal ac adapter. watch battery voltage as to not run down battery if engine not running
 
fakdaddy said:
If it's not ...... can you just wire an inverter direct to the battery and run your accessories from that ?
Click to expand...
Only a pure sinus inverter can do this .

A cheap modify sinus wave inverter will kill the adapter.

But you can go for a car charger and plug that in .

See link.
And look for the model u use and see if you can find one in your country.

Carcharger MacBook Air (MagSafe 1). Tot 23.59u bestellen.

Een goedkope MacBook Air 11/ 13 inch carcharger koopt u op MacBook-Accu.nl. Voor 23:59u besteld, morgen deze MacBook Air 11/ 13 inch carcharger al in huis.
macbook-accu.nl macbook-accu.nl
 
Suijkerbuijk said:
Only a pure sinus inverter can do this .

A cheap modify sinus wave inverter will kill the adapter.

But you can go for a car charger and plug that in .

See link.
And look for the model u use and see if you can find one in your country.

Carcharger MacBook Air (MagSafe 1). Tot 23.59u bestellen.

Een goedkope MacBook Air 11/ 13 inch carcharger koopt u op MacBook-Accu.nl. Voor 23:59u besteld, morgen deze MacBook Air 11/ 13 inch carcharger al in huis.
macbook-accu.nl macbook-accu.nl
Click to expand...
no it won't, the adapters are switching power supplies. they may run a touch hotter, they absolutely don't kill them. I used modified sine wave adapters for years in cars.
 
Yeah kinda want to take a separate battery and not touch my car battery so wanted to use a lifepo4 kayak battery

So this pure sine is better than modified sine ?
Saysbit cleaner than what comes in house
 
fakdaddy said:
Yeah kinda want to take a separate battery and not touch my car battery so wanted to use a lifepo4 kayak battery

So this pure sine is better than modified sine ?
Saysbit cleaner than what comes in house
Click to expand...
Yes a pure sinus is always best een investment.

That a modified sinus wave works .
Well that is always a risk .
Thare is warning about it in the Manuel that you do not use modified sinus wave for adapter or compressor pump on freezer.

That warning is for a reason thare .
That it work do not means it a good thing to do .
Than we never have to beult pure sinus wave inverter in the first place

Up to the use what you like to do.

samlexamerica.com

Modified Vs. Pure Sine Wave Power Inverters [Purchasing Guide]

What's the difference between pure sine and modified sine wave power inverters? Which inverter should you buy for sensitive electronics?
samlexamerica.com samlexamerica.com

Nice information
 
Last edited:
fakdaddy said:
Yeah kinda want to take a separate battery and not touch my car battery so wanted to use a lifepo4 kayak battery

So this pure sine is better than modified sine ?
Saysbit cleaner than what comes in house
Click to expand...
yes and a decent price, I would get that one, it will allow you to run other other stuff as well, be aware the dc socket is generally only good for about 100 watts before switching to the battery clamps
 
MakeMePower said:
yes and a decent price, I would get that one, it will allow you to run other other stuff as well, be aware the dc socket is generally only good for about 100 watts before switching to the battery clamps
Click to expand...

Ended up with this one.
My watt draw for Mac us around 70w tested.

2300W Power Inverter,12V DC to AC 110V120V Peak Power 4600W with 2AC Outlets and 2.4USB Port,LCD Display Car Inverter for Power Converter Outdoor Activities,Emergency,Vehicles Truck RV Solar System https://a.co/d/6Vsfmv0


Bought a 100AH battery ..... so Round 1000W so let's say a safe 8 hours use.

Should get me a 2-3 days charge
 
Did have a dumb general question.
Since the battery is 12v .... why convert up to 100 AC and then back to 16v or whatever from Mac.

Why isn't there a direct 12v to 16v dc adapter or whatever ....
 
fakdaddy said:
Ended up with this one.
My watt draw for Mac us around 70w tested.

2300W Power Inverter,12V DC to AC 110V120V Peak Power 4600W with 2AC Outlets and 2.4USB Port,LCD Display Car Inverter for Power Converter Outdoor Activities,Emergency,Vehicles Truck RV Solar System https://a.co/d/6Vsfmv0


Bought a 100AH battery ..... so Round 1000W so let's say a safe 8 hours use.

Should get me a 2-3 days charge
Click to expand...
yea not sure why you got this one, it is modified sinewave, massively overkill, also prolly uses 2x more wattage, no dc plug, and 2-3x larger then the other one and prolly has fans that run non stop. if you needed the higher wattage for another appliance, great! otherwise, I am not sure of the thinking on this one for a laptop
 
fakdaddy said:
Did have a dumb general question.
Since the battery is 12v .... why convert up to 100 AC and then back to 16v or whatever from Mac.

Why isn't there a direct 12v to 16v dc adapter or whatever ....
Click to expand...
prolly is, i think one was linked above, not sure on mac's to find you a dc-dc cord, but there is prolly one made.
 
 
fakdaddy said:
Hey guys
What do you need to use an existing LIFEPO4 battery to safely charge a macbook pro when out in the field so to speak.
I assume some sort of voltage regulator and a way to plug it in ?

Assume its been done many times - link ? or video ?


thanks
Click to expand...
please let us know which plug is on the laptop for charging with picture and or text. it will help answer the question
 
Hey guys thx
You've been super helpful.
Turns out the inverter I bought is listed as pure sine wave in specs..... but I contacted vendor due to customer comment and its modified. So it's going back.

Got me thinking (for x scenario use case),....

Is there a simple way to charge these all in 1 power battery banks from a larger 12v lifepo4 battery ?

Eg if I have a 100ah lifepo4 .... can I charge this from it somehow ?


Essentially this would become my daily inverter/powerbank
The larger battery would stay in car for recharging the smaller unit
 
fakdaddy said:
Hey guys thx
You've been super helpful.
Turns out the inverter I bought is listed as pure sine wave in specs..... but I contacted vendor due to customer comment and its modified. So it's going back.

Got me thinking (for x scenario use case),....

Is there a simple way to charge these all in 1 power battery banks from a larger 12v lifepo4 battery ?

Eg if I have a 100ah lifepo4 .... can I charge this from it somehow ?


Essentially this would become my daily inverter/powerbank
The larger battery would stay in car for recharging the smaller unit
Click to expand...
buy a dc PD charger and a 100w usbc to usbc cable
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

G
Looking for confirmation
Replies
2
Views
181
Rednecktek
Rednecktek
Z
Recommendations for installing external DC power plugs?
Replies
13
Views
343
zacherrie
Z
T
RV-Wire ATS for Generator/Shore Power and DC Inverter
Replies
12
Views
268
the1adman
T
seneysolar
Central Maine Diesel Experience
Replies
16
Views
505
seneysolar
seneysolar
D
Modified Sine Wave Inverter and 120V AC to 12v DC Battery Charger
Replies
2
Views
295
outboard1196
outboard1196

diy solar

diy solar
Back
Top