Electrical Question

[tugboatphil]

I want to add a power supply that is uninterupted. My cig lighter socket only works when the switch is on. It will be for a laptop computer charger. Where would be the safest place to splice in to?



The charger has this box inline in the middle, I'm guessing that it would take a straight 12v and convert to the computer's requirements.

 

[jerryrigg]

The truth is there is no "safe place" to leave the computer plugged in or a "uninteruptable power" source. Logically you would think a direct connection to the battery would be "uninterupted" but when you start the truck battery voltage drops under the load and then spikes as it is recharged. You could add a battery isolation switch that allows you to select which or both batteries are used for starting or you could install a high quality invertor and charge via 115vac. IMO these options are somewhat pointless for just charging the CPU. If you want to charge the battery while the engine is off just rewire the cig lighter to run off the battery but unplug the CPU prior to starting and plug it back in after about 5 minutes to allow the batteries to recharge from starting the truck. Some others may argue that this is unnecessary but it is better safe than sorry, so why risk shortening the life of your cpu and it's battery.

 

[tugboatphil]

Thanks, Jerry!



It was a power surge that I was afraid of. I only use it for finding addresses on my map program, so I probably won't need it on all the time anyway. It is definitely better safe than sorry when electronics are concerned. My home computer fried onetime when the internal power supply slowly died. Apparently as it's capacity decreased the chip tried harder to pull the power through and it was as if I had had a lightning strike. Or that's what my computer guru friend told me.



I'll believe anything if is sounds scientific enough... .



Thanks for the quick response!!