I posted a few weeks back asking about reliability and safety of using
12V car cigarette-lighter adapters for mobile phones, laptops etc (and IIRC generated a major sh*tstorm as a result...!) Anyway here's a followup to the query...I decided to acquire a car adapter for my new notebook PC (an Asus EEE PC900) to enable it to be used to double as a DVD player for the kids on long journeys. Had no option but to buy an unbranded 3rd-party adapter since ASUS hasn't produced one yet, although rumour has it that one may be in the pipeline).
Yesterday I tried out the car adapter for the first time, but unfortunately it didn't work properly. Although the adapter's LED indicator lit up continuously, and there was definitely no loose connections, the PC's notification window popped up to say 'AC charger connected', only to be replaced 5 secs later by another window saying 'changing to battery power' (or words to that effect). It then cycled continuously between battery and charging mode every few seconds.
My impression is that the machine is trying to charge, but as soon as it does so the current provided by the car falls below some threshold, and the computer cuts it off and reverts to battery mode, whereupon the current is able to increase again, allowing the computer to switch into charging mode again, etc etc. Sound about right?
What is "responsible" for the problem - is it the adapter, the computer, or the car? Is it in anyway surmountable? The laptop needs "+12V, 3A, 36W" according to the label on its base. Surely not too much to expect from a cigarette lighter? Wondering if a 240V inverter would be better (I have one at home :-( )
I'm currently connecting on wifi from a tent in the middle of France, with no electrical tools, instruments etc, but would *really* welcome a solution before setting off on the journey home next weekend - though somehow I don't think that's going to happen ;-( ) Another 8 hours-worth of I-spy, number-plate bingo etc ahead....
David