It is funny you're asking this question and I just figured it out two weeks ago.
I tried as all of us have to run the laptop on 12V DC cigarette lighter.
No joy, no results and finally no nada.
All laptops including my dell have a voltage low limit. I.E. my input is 19V DC 
and the laptop battery 
is 11.1 VDC. if it is less than about 16 V it will not function n at all.
Now here is the trick.
I have a Ryobi cordless tool kit from Home Depot that runs on 18V DC. I have an 
on vehicle charger 
charging the 18VDC batteries from my cigarette lighter so the batteries are 
charged from my bank batteries.
what I did when my mind started looking for reasons to beat the system. I 
bought a ryobi flashlight 
for $12.95 and driled a hole on the side. I soldered two wires positive and 
negative to the flashlight socket from inside. I used my solar panels harness 
that has the same plug as my laptop to connect the 
wiring from the flashlight to the laptop and BBBBBIIINGO.
IT WORKS!!! and I don't have to buy a dell battery for $130. Two Ryobi 
batteries $46.
About the scanner I have an Acer scanner that runs on 12 VDC and a Canon Pixma 
1600 the same. As for the printing cartridges they cost almost $50. The printer 
is $60. When the colour is empty printer goes to value village and buy a new 
one.
I hope hat helps.

Yanni Marinated
S/V Princess Thalia
Hamilton-Fifty Point @H3
N 43.13.406
W 73.37.431
www.yannismarine.ca
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Philip & Marilyn 
  To: [email protected] 
  Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 9:54 AM
  Subject: [Liveaboard] 12v computer


  Does any one run their laptop directly from the house mains? The output from 
my power brick says 17 volts, but the internal battery supplies 14.4 which most 
likely drops to less than 13.8 when under load - so nominal ~13v dc aught to 
run it. Question is where to make the connection. Just plug into the power 
inlet in the back like the brick does?  

  Any problems with this hook--up?

  Thanks 
  Philip

  "Be the change you want to see"
  Philip & Marilyn Lange
     AE4OV & KD4JRC,
       ORYOKI
  Witness 35 Catamaran
   




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