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Lap top power supply.
paulf - 14/4/05 at 10:20 PM

I have just bought myself a very cheap laptop for engine mapping.It has a dead battery and no powersupply.The reason it was cheap i have found is that it is a unigue connection and 24v 2amp supply.The battery is a 14.4v unit.As i can not find a supply i have just connected a 12v battery across the battery connections and find it seems to work ok.
As i am going to use it just for mapping in the car would it be ok to just connect to the car battery with a bit of filtering added?or am i going to have problems with voltage variatons and spikes?
I dont want to spend a lot on a power unit for it but thought I might just use a 12v reg and some capacitors to smooth the battery supply.
Paul

zilspeed - 14/4/05 at 10:51 PM

If you were to open up the Battery, you will find that it has readily available cells which you can buy from Maplins - I've done it myself. Replace the cells and stick the lid back on the battery with your hot glue gun. Job done.

paulf - 14/4/05 at 11:09 PM

I was tempted to try and open it but it looks as if i may need a hacksaw to do so, i would still need to find a way of charging it though as the connector on the laptop is a strange 4 pin connector and ive not found any info on the pin configaration, I even stipped the unit to the motherboard to try and trace the connections but no luck with that.
I think I will solder a lead to the battery connections and just run it off a 12v lead acid battery.
Paul.

quote:
Originally posted by zilspeed
If you were to open up the Battery, you will find that it has readily available cells which you can buy from Maplins - I've done it myself. Replace the cells and stick the lid back on the battery with your hot glue gun. Job done.

JamJah - 14/4/05 at 11:40 PM

You a 'Spike Buster'. These are readily availible from Marine Chandlers and boaty hangouts. Guess cravaners would have got into them too so can try them if your landlocked. Its for the 12v dc lighting systems.
I was using one last week to rebuild a piece of kit that is used a car in a west end show. Very reliable and can take up to 32 volts. Think they are bout £30-£45.

pbura - 15/4/05 at 03:15 AM

Bought one on eBay last week, $21 including shipping.

I got the part number for the adapter from the IBM website, made shopping for one very easy.

simonH - 15/4/05 at 05:23 AM

i have used these before Power Supplies Link they come with multiple connectors for lots of laptops. the square 4 pin is comon on older HP laptops.

James - 15/4/05 at 09:01 AM

Paul,

What's the laptop? Just in case someone's got a battery kicking about...

Cheers,
James

paulf - 15/4/05 at 03:04 PM

Its a dual technology PMD3-586,Ihad never heard of them but saw it on Ebay for £10 with a couple of minutes to go so bid on it and got it for £10.50. Was advertised as a p233 with 32mb ram but turns out to be only a p100 with 16meg so dont want to spend much on it.
I have it running ok on a 12v battery and think i will just use it on a seperate sealed lead acid bat in the car, unless anyone has one lying around anywhere.
The power connection is a round plug with 4 pins in a square arrangement about 4mm centres and rated at 24v 2 amp.

quote:
Originally posted by James
Paul,

What's the laptop? Just in case someone's got a battery kicking about...

Cheers,
James

JamJah - 15/4/05 at 04:34 PM

Long shot, but its not one of these is it?

http://www.a1computerstuff.com/ibmcar760.html

paulf - 15/4/05 at 08:05 PM

Its similiar except mine has a round outer body.
Paul

quote:
Originally posted by JamJah
Long shot, but its not one of these is it?

http://www.a1computerstuff.com/ibmcar760.html