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#21
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DL in the field
On 2011.02.18 10:47 , Paul Furman wrote:
Bill Graham wrote: Savageduck wrote: On 2011-02-16 13:03:18 -0800, "Bill Graham" said: Le Snip Be able to charge your camera's, (and laptop's) batteries from your car cigarette lighter as you go. Got that covered Bill. http://us.kensington.com/html/17163.html Looks like a good device. I try to buy 12 volt devices, but I was worried about the fact that a car alternator delivers over 14 volts for charging the battery at times, so I purchased a device that will operate on anything from 9 to 16 volts, and regulate it down to exactly 12 volts. It cost about $30, but I used it as a buffer between my car and my camera. I didn't want to risk smoking a $2000 camera with an overvoltage from the cheap electronics in a car.... I haven't had any problem with working off a pair of car batteries in my camper van with an inverter to 120v. Perhaps that device regulates the voltage? It's kind of wasteful because the laptop takes something less than 120v ... I thought something like 9v, but each device is different and presumably pretty picky. The camera battery chargers all use 120 so that's at least only one layer deep in conversion. All these extra conversions are wasteful to be sure. If one knows the voltage for the laptop, they could make a 12 to 24 V input DC|DC converter that outputs the right voltage to the laptop. (A technician with nothing to do in his spare time should be able to get the parts, assemble and test this in no time). Then plug into the car batteries (series or parallel) and get a lot more laptop juice. I'd run it at 24V (series) into the converter to reduce conversion loss and run the converter cooler. -- gmail originated posts filtered due to spam. |
#22
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DL in the field
On 2011.02.19 10:40 , otter wrote:
If you don't already have a laptop then a netbook is a pretty good option: cheap, small, light, enough storage and you'll have basic access to WiFi / Ethernet, basic image editing for quick e-mails of shots and so on. -- gmail originated posts filtered due to spam. I picked up an Acer AO 522 with the C50 processor for $330 on a whim. Very nice for such a small package, and great graphics. Easily handles 1080P HD. I can't get it away from my wife. She uses it to video-skype with my daughter, and surf the web. Not sure I'd want to try running CS5 on it, but certainly much easier to take on trips than a large laptop. CS5 would probably run on it quite well, if not snappy quick. But Elements 7 (or whatever it's up to) would probably be a better choice for a road machine. (Yes, Elements reads raw). -- gmail originated posts filtered due to spam. |
#23
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DL in the field
On 2011-02-19 06:02:40 -0800, Alan Browne
said: On 2011.02.18 10:47 , Paul Furman wrote: Bill Graham wrote: Savageduck wrote: On 2011-02-16 13:03:18 -0800, "Bill Graham" said: Le Snip Be able to charge your camera's, (and laptop's) batteries from your car cigarette lighter as you go. Got that covered Bill. http://us.kensington.com/html/17163.html Looks like a good device. I try to buy 12 volt devices, but I was worried about the fact that a car alternator delivers over 14 volts for charging the battery at times, so I purchased a device that will operate on anything from 9 to 16 volts, and regulate it down to exactly 12 volts. It cost about $30, but I used it as a buffer between my car and my camera. I didn't want to risk smoking a $2000 camera with an overvoltage from the cheap electronics in a car.... I haven't had any problem with working off a pair of car batteries in my camper van with an inverter to 120v. Perhaps that device regulates the voltage? It's kind of wasteful because the laptop takes something less than 120v ... I thought something like 9v, but each device is different and presumably pretty picky. The camera battery chargers all use 120 so that's at least only one layer deep in conversion. All these extra conversions are wasteful to be sure. If one knows the voltage for the laptop, they could make a 12 to 24 V input DC|DC converter that outputs the right voltage to the laptop. (A technician with nothing to do in his spare time should be able to get the parts, assemble and test this in no time). Then plug into the car batteries (series or parallel) and get a lot more laptop juice. I'd run it at 24V (series) into the converter to reduce conversion loss and run the converter cooler. I don't know why everybody is trying to complicate this by building an inverter when several perfectly good products are currently available. As I said above, I use the Kensington Auto/Air Power Inverter. This has one regular grounded power outlet, and two USB ports. It is the size of a pack of cigarettes. It plugs into a cigarette lighter, or auto 12V accessory socket, and can use airline "Empower" outlets. Though on planes I have flown on recently they have a standard power outlet available. http://us.kensington.com/html/17163.html Targus have an interesting line of inverters for this very purpose. They even have a neat one which fits in a standard cup holder. http://thurly.net/0wos At no time do I run my camera, or laptop directly from an AC power source anywhere. My laptop, a MacBook Pro, and I would assume any other laptop, or netbook, requires a power supply between the computer and AC power source. I have two, One I keep at home and one which is ready for travel. The same goes for my camera. I always have extra batteries, and if I am going to need to charge those batteries which need charging I have the appropriate charger which can be plugged into the Kensington inverter. The same goes for any other USB powered devices such as iPads, which can be charged using the USB port. There is no current smoothing issue, that is handled by the device's power supply. -- Regards, Savageduck |
#24
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DL in the field
If one knows the voltage for the laptop, they could make a 12 to 24 V
input DC|DC converter that outputs the right voltage to the laptop. (A technician with nothing to do in his spare time should be able to get the parts, assemble and test this in no time). Um, it's not quite trivial. Most boost converters are low-current devices. Most laptops these days require between 5 and 8 amps, at their nominal input voltage, to operate. That's a lot of current for a throw-together project. You _can_ get these things, but they're typically the size of your laptop's existing power supply. Some laptop vendors actually put the functionality in the laptop supplies in the first place. (Dell) Otherwise, look at the likes of Targus. De |
#25
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DL in the field
Savageduck wrote:
On 2011-02-19 06:02:40 -0800, Alan Browne said: On 2011.02.18 10:47 , Paul Furman wrote: Bill Graham wrote: Savageduck wrote: On 2011-02-16 13:03:18 -0800, "Bill Graham" said: Le Snip Be able to charge your camera's, (and laptop's) batteries from your car cigarette lighter as you go. Got that covered Bill. http://us.kensington.com/html/17163.html Looks like a good device. I try to buy 12 volt devices, but I was worried about the fact that a car alternator delivers over 14 volts for charging the battery at times, so I purchased a device that will operate on anything from 9 to 16 volts, and regulate it down to exactly 12 volts. It cost about $30, but I used it as a buffer between my car and my camera. I didn't want to risk smoking a $2000 camera with an overvoltage from the cheap electronics in a car.... I haven't had any problem with working off a pair of car batteries in my camper van with an inverter to 120v. Perhaps that device regulates the voltage? It's kind of wasteful because the laptop takes something less than 120v ... I thought something like 9v, but each device is different and presumably pretty picky. The camera battery chargers all use 120 so that's at least only one layer deep in conversion. All these extra conversions are wasteful to be sure. If one knows the voltage for the laptop, they could make a 12 to 24 V input DC|DC converter that outputs the right voltage to the laptop. (A technician with nothing to do in his spare time should be able to get the parts, assemble and test this in no time). Then plug into the car batteries (series or parallel) and get a lot more laptop juice. I'd run it at 24V (series) into the converter to reduce conversion loss and run the converter cooler. I don't know why everybody is trying to complicate this by building an inverter when several perfectly good products are currently available. As I said above, I use the Kensington Auto/Air Power Inverter. This has one regular grounded power outlet, and two USB ports. It is the size of a pack of cigarettes. It plugs into a cigarette lighter, or auto 12V accessory socket, and can use airline "Empower" outlets. Though on planes I have flown on recently they have a standard power outlet available. http://us.kensington.com/html/17163.html Targus have an interesting line of inverters for this very purpose. They even have a neat one which fits in a standard cup holder. http://thurly.net/0wos I've had a couple 300w/1000w? inverters like the ones in the following link, for around $100 and they are quite noisy but you need something pretty big & powerful to charge DSLR batteries while running a laptop and some 12v lights all evening in a camper van. Cell phones & batteries will charge on very very small low power inverters. http://www.google.com/#q=12v+inverte...a69e3db245d910 At no time do I run my camera, or laptop directly from an AC power source anywhere. My laptop, a MacBook Pro, and I would assume any other laptop, or netbook, requires a power supply between the computer and AC power source. I have two, One I keep at home and one which is ready for travel. The same goes for my camera. I always have extra batteries, and if I am going to need to charge those batteries which need charging I have the appropriate charger which can be plugged into the Kensington inverter. The same goes for any other USB powered devices such as iPads, which can be charged using the USB port. There is no current smoothing issue, that is handled by the device's power supply. |
#26
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DL in the field
I have a workhorse for my images. It isn't on the internet, for protection.
I generally get the image right in the field, so I do minimal Photoshopping. One reason to replace my computer on the internet is that OE6 does not handle some of the graphics, so some sites are not accessible, and I can't upgrade using Win 98, which I can't upgrade with low RAM etc. I have Charter cable for TV, but I get such awful service that I won't give them more money for internet. If I need better internet acces temporarily, such as uploading images to my website, I go to a public computer nearby. So I figure I could get a portable computer to use at home and on the road. I only need a display that is good enough for reviewing in the field. So what's the difference between a "netbook," a "notebook," and a "laptop?" (For someone who started computer programming in 1969, I sure haven't kept up.) -- Alan Justice http://home.earthlink.net/~wildlifepaparazzi/ |
#27
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DL in the field
On 2011-02-19 10:21:58 -0800, Paul Furman said:
Savageduck wrote: On 2011-02-19 06:02:40 -0800, Alan Browne said: On 2011.02.18 10:47 , Paul Furman wrote: Bill Graham wrote: Savageduck wrote: On 2011-02-16 13:03:18 -0800, "Bill Graham" said: Le Snip Be able to charge your camera's, (and laptop's) batteries from your car cigarette lighter as you go. Got that covered Bill. http://us.kensington.com/html/17163.html Looks like a good device. I try to buy 12 volt devices, but I was worried about the fact that a car alternator delivers over 14 volts for charging the battery at times, so I purchased a device that will operate on anything from 9 to 16 volts, and regulate it down to exactly 12 volts. It cost about $30, but I used it as a buffer between my car and my camera. I didn't want to risk smoking a $2000 camera with an overvoltage from the cheap electronics in a car.... I haven't had any problem with working off a pair of car batteries in my camper van with an inverter to 120v. Perhaps that device regulates the voltage? It's kind of wasteful because the laptop takes something less than 120v ... I thought something like 9v, but each device is different and presumably pretty picky. The camera battery chargers all use 120 so that's at least only one layer deep in conversion. All these extra conversions are wasteful to be sure. If one knows the voltage for the laptop, they could make a 12 to 24 V input DC|DC converter that outputs the right voltage to the laptop. (A technician with nothing to do in his spare time should be able to get the parts, assemble and test this in no time). Then plug into the car batteries (series or parallel) and get a lot more laptop juice. I'd run it at 24V (series) into the converter to reduce conversion loss and run the converter cooler. I don't know why everybody is trying to complicate this by building an inverter when several perfectly good products are currently available. As I said above, I use the Kensington Auto/Air Power Inverter. This has one regular grounded power outlet, and two USB ports. It is the size of a pack of cigarettes. It plugs into a cigarette lighter, or auto 12V accessory socket, and can use airline "Empower" outlets. Though on planes I have flown on recently they have a standard power outlet available. http://us.kensington.com/html/17163.html Targus have an interesting line of inverters for this very purpose. They even have a neat one which fits in a standard cup holder. http://thurly.net/0wos I've had a couple 300w/1000w? inverters like the ones in the following link, for around $100 and they are quite noisy but you need something pretty big & powerful to charge DSLR batteries while running a laptop and some 12v lights all evening in a camper van. Cell phones & batteries will charge on very very small low power inverters. http://www.google.com/#q=12v+inverte...a69e3db245d910 If I had a full camper/RV setup I would probably go that route. As always, it depends on the load you intend to place on the inverter. Running lights and a full load charging and computing operation is one thing. Having a means to charge DSLR batteries and/or a laptop when needed is a little less demanding. I get a good 4 hours from my MacBook Pro and I am not going to be using it for that sort of time away from the comforts of home. The power supply demand for it is 85W. The little Kensington I use now with a measly 120W (150W peak) seems to charge EN-EL3e's & EN-EL4a's without issue. The MH-21(EN-EL4a) charger requires 23W and the MH-18a (EN-EL3e) requires 15W. When I have needed to charge a DSLR battery and my MacBook Pro at the same time The Kensington has done just fine. Got a little warm, but survived. Any extended use, beyond emergency charging and I would consider something with a little more muscle. At no time do I run my camera, or laptop directly from an AC power source anywhere. My laptop, a MacBook Pro, and I would assume any other laptop, or netbook, requires a power supply between the computer and AC power source. I have two, One I keep at home and one which is ready for travel. The same goes for my camera. I always have extra batteries, and if I am going to need to charge those batteries which need charging I have the appropriate charger which can be plugged into the Kensington inverter. The same goes for any other USB powered devices such as iPads, which can be charged using the USB port. There is no current smoothing issue, that is handled by the device's power supply. -- Regards, Savageduck |
#28
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DL in the field
On 2011-02-19 10:50:53 -0800, "Alan Justice" said:
I have a workhorse for my images. It isn't on the internet, for protection. I generally get the image right in the field, so I do minimal Photoshopping. One reason to replace my computer on the internet is that OE6 does not handle some of the graphics, so some sites are not accessible, and I can't upgrade using Win 98, which I can't upgrade with low RAM etc. Yup! An upgrade is needed. I have Charter cable for TV, but I get such awful service that I won't give them more money for internet. If I need better internet acces temporarily, such as uploading images to my website, I go to a public computer nearby. So I figure I could get a portable computer to use at home and on the road. I only need a display that is good enough for reviewing in the field. So what's the difference between a "netbook," a "notebook," and a "laptop?" (For someone who started computer programming in 1969, I sure haven't kept up.) "notebook" and "laptop" are basically interchangeable terms. These can be a very usable one machine solution for many users, given the right configuration. A netbook is usually a stripped down, reduced spec. & power portable. Usually displays run from 5 to 12 inches. There is usually no optical drive, and hard drive space is limited. Depending on netbook you may not be able to use some image editing software. I too am a Charter Cable subscriber, and have no issues with their broadband, or TV where I am. For me it is a case of Dial-up in a desperate emergency only, I haven't used dial-up for many years now. You might want to give them a try with their internet service. -- Regards, Savageduck |
#29
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DL in the field
"Savageduck" wrote in message news:2011021911202743658-savageduck1@REMOVESPAMmecom... On 2011-02-19 10:50:53 -0800, "Alan Justice" said: I have a workhorse for my images. It isn't on the internet, for protection. I generally get the image right in the field, so I do minimal Photoshopping. One reason to replace my computer on the internet is that OE6 does not handle some of the graphics, so some sites are not accessible, and I can't upgrade using Win 98, which I can't upgrade with low RAM etc. Yup! An upgrade is needed. I have Charter cable for TV, but I get such awful service that I won't give them more money for internet. If I need better internet acces temporarily, such as uploading images to my website, I go to a public computer nearby. So I figure I could get a portable computer to use at home and on the road. I only need a display that is good enough for reviewing in the field. So what's the difference between a "netbook," a "notebook," and a "laptop?" (For someone who started computer programming in 1969, I sure haven't kept up.) "notebook" and "laptop" are basically interchangeable terms. These can be a very usable one machine solution for many users, given the right configuration. A netbook is usually a stripped down, reduced spec. & power portable. Usually displays run from 5 to 12 inches. There is usually no optical drive, and hard drive space is limited. Depending on netbook you may not be able to use some image editing software. I too am a Charter Cable subscriber, and have no issues with their broadband, or TV where I am. For me it is a case of Dial-up in a desperate emergency only, I haven't used dial-up for many years now. You might want to give them a try with their internet service. -- Regards, Savageduck Okay, thanks. One reason I have been reluctant to replace my old computer is that I need it to DL shooting data from my Canon 1V's. I tried to load the software on my Win XP machine and received a warning about it exploding, or something. But now that I no longer need the 1V's, it is time to upgrade. -- Alan Justice http://home.earthlink.net/~wildlifepaparazzi/ |
#30
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DL in the field
On 2011.02.19 11:20 , Savageduck wrote:
On 2011-02-19 06:02:40 -0800, Alan Browne said: On 2011.02.18 10:47 , Paul Furman wrote: Bill Graham wrote: Savageduck wrote: On 2011-02-16 13:03:18 -0800, "Bill Graham" said: Le Snip Be able to charge your camera's, (and laptop's) batteries from your car cigarette lighter as you go. Got that covered Bill. http://us.kensington.com/html/17163.html Looks like a good device. I try to buy 12 volt devices, but I was worried about the fact that a car alternator delivers over 14 volts for charging the battery at times, so I purchased a device that will operate on anything from 9 to 16 volts, and regulate it down to exactly 12 volts. It cost about $30, but I used it as a buffer between my car and my camera. I didn't want to risk smoking a $2000 camera with an overvoltage from the cheap electronics in a car.... I haven't had any problem with working off a pair of car batteries in my camper van with an inverter to 120v. Perhaps that device regulates the voltage? It's kind of wasteful because the laptop takes something less than 120v ... I thought something like 9v, but each device is different and presumably pretty picky. The camera battery chargers all use 120 so that's at least only one layer deep in conversion. All these extra conversions are wasteful to be sure. If one knows the voltage for the laptop, they could make a 12 to 24 V input DC|DC converter that outputs the right voltage to the laptop. (A technician with nothing to do in his spare time should be able to get the parts, assemble and test this in no time). Then plug into the car batteries (series or parallel) and get a lot more laptop juice. I'd run it at 24V (series) into the converter to reduce conversion loss and run the converter cooler. I don't know why everybody is trying to complicate this by building an inverter when several perfectly good products are currently available. What I suggested is _not_ an inverter but a much more energy efficient solution that avoids taking DC to AC and then back to DC again in, wasting energy along the way. Auto cigarette inverters are pathetically inefficient. A DC to DC converter is MUCH more efficient than any inverter system (a DC to DC converter in fact does 'invert' but at a much higher frequency - power losses are much less than in a cigarette lighter inverter. And using 24 V (series) at the input will result in less loss than using 12V [judging by the temperatures I've gotten with wide input range inverters]). For the battery solution that Paul suggests, using an inverter to then convert to DC is just plain wasteful - and if you're going to be in the boonies any length of time and depending on batteries, just silly. An other option would be something like a Honda 1000 W generator. Quiet, pretty efficient, light. (We've used them for all manner of field testing (1000, 2000W versions). -- gmail originated posts filtered due to spam. |
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