Car power adapter

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RRHODY
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Car power adapter

#1 Post by RRHODY » Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:09 pm

I'd like to operate my laptops in my vehicle and rentals - but I frequently use different units; and, naturally all three have different power plugs. Seems like the answer is an ordinary dc/ac inverter so each unique power adapter can be used. Are there minimum specs for powering a T42p, X60 and S10e (and sometimes my grandson's X31 or T30)?
Can anyone suggest a specific brand?
I'd just as soon not spend too much money, otherwise I'd buy a DC unit for each if the price gets out of sight.

virge
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Re: Car power adapter

#2 Post by virge » Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:01 pm

I know the T42P, X31, and T30 can all use the same 72Watt, 16V adapter. No personal experience, but I've read that the S10 uses the same adapter as well. You should be able to verify that if your machines are nearby. The auto/air version of the 16v IBM adapter isn't too expensive on Ebay. See:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0543476095
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0420073091

The X60 would need its own adapter though.
Current Thinkpads: 600E, 600X, 701C, A31 (Flexview), R51 (Flexview), R60, T42P (Flexview), TR50E, T60 (Flexview), X61s (Ultralight), Z61m (Ti) Non-Thinkpad: Toshiba 100ct

RRHODY
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Re: Car power adapter

#3 Post by RRHODY » Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:13 pm

Roger the T42, X31, T30 the same but S10e NOT, as is the X60 as you pointed out. I have an AC/DC combo unit for the T42, but none for the other unique power plugs.

bill bolton
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Re: Car power adapter

#4 Post by bill bolton » Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:46 pm

RRHODY wrote:I'd buy a DC unit for each if the price gets out of sight.
You might want to look at the Lenovo 90W UltraSlim AC/DC Combo Adapter. It takes AC or DC input power and will provide a range of DC output voltages on a range of different connector types for Lenovo laptops plus a variety of other popular mobile devices.

Cheers,

Bill B.

RRHODY
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Re: Car power adapter

#5 Post by RRHODY » Fri Jan 22, 2010 9:23 am

Just a quick look at what you suggested. Looks like that unit comes with just one tip for a laptop and then you buy two other tips for the two other laptops and their power tips. This seems to take the cost well over $100.00 for some other connections I don't need.
Thanks for the suggestion; I'll keep it in mind.

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Re: Car power adapter

#6 Post by phrider » Wed Jan 27, 2010 10:53 am

RRHODY wrote:Just a quick look at what you suggested. Looks like that unit comes with just one tip for a laptop and then you buy two other tips for the two other laptops and their power tips. This seems to take the cost well over $100.00 for some other connections I don't need.
Thanks for the suggestion; I'll keep it in mind.
No, that's not correct. Mine came with power tips for 3 different voltages and Thinkpad power plug configurations.

You do have to pay extra for the Y-splitter and USB / phone chargers, which are convenient if you'd like to charge your Blackberry, iPod, or other phone without carrying multiple power bricks.

Be careful that you get the right model. There is one seller on Price Grabber that quotes the part number for the newer Slim AC/DC adapter, and sends the old version that doesn't have the car adapter and it twice as heavy.
phrider

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Re: Car power adapter

#7 Post by bill bolton » Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:15 am

phrider wrote:No, that's not correct. Mine came with power tips for 3 different voltages and Thinkpad power plug configurations.
That was true for the first version (which I also have), however, the newish lighter version appears to come with just a 20V tip and a USB tip, but does include the splitter in the bundle!

Cheers,

Bill B.

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