Powering laptop in the field
Powering laptop in the field
Does anyone know where I can get a marine deep cycle type of battery in sg? TIA!
You can get it at Autobac: http://www.autobacs.com.sg/
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Airconvent
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I know Matthew used to power his nightly astro sessions (lap top, desk lap, + misc equipment) from a high capacity car battery + inverter. You may want to check with Kochu who still practise a similar arrangement. Car batteries are easier to get anywhere.
But if you still want the Marine deep cycle, Autobacs is a good place to try. They are located near the old fire station along bukit timah road. Google for the map.
![[smilie=cool.gif]](./images/smilies/cool.gif "cool")
But if you still want the Marine deep cycle, Autobacs is a good place to try. They are located near the old fire station along bukit timah road. Google for the map.
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kochu
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Powersupply in field
My 2 cents below.
1. It is not essential to get a Marine deep cycle battery. Any decent batteries available from SimLim Towers will do, as in Spore, the usage is not that frequent . I used to have three batteries with a total about 50 Amp hrs for field use . It is more than enough for 2 nights full use of Laptop, Mount and heaters, while using for DSLR AP. But carrying those are really cumbersome.
2. It is not a good idea to use Inverter. . Inverter is not efficient. There is a lot of heat loss . It drains battery in half the time. I still have one lying unused.
3. As the laptops need either 15-16 V or 18+ V, you need a 12 to 18 V solid state converter. These are available in Market for 20-30S$. I have not found a Laptop operating at 12 V.
After changing over to CCD imaging I have found it better to use Mains power as Camera also needs a steady 12 V supply. Even the USB hubs need external power as the current crop of USB ports in the laptops are not well powered, while using 4 or 5 USB devices in field..
I do not think Matthew used inverter, he had a nice Battery pack with bells and whistles like LED indicator, Voltmeter etc..
Kochu/25-9-11
1. It is not essential to get a Marine deep cycle battery. Any decent batteries available from SimLim Towers will do, as in Spore, the usage is not that frequent . I used to have three batteries with a total about 50 Amp hrs for field use . It is more than enough for 2 nights full use of Laptop, Mount and heaters, while using for DSLR AP. But carrying those are really cumbersome.
2. It is not a good idea to use Inverter. . Inverter is not efficient. There is a lot of heat loss . It drains battery in half the time. I still have one lying unused.
3. As the laptops need either 15-16 V or 18+ V, you need a 12 to 18 V solid state converter. These are available in Market for 20-30S$. I have not found a Laptop operating at 12 V.
After changing over to CCD imaging I have found it better to use Mains power as Camera also needs a steady 12 V supply. Even the USB hubs need external power as the current crop of USB ports in the laptops are not well powered, while using 4 or 5 USB devices in field..
I do not think Matthew used inverter, he had a nice Battery pack with bells and whistles like LED indicator, Voltmeter etc..
Kochu/25-9-11