Automobile Power Adapter

[ronbo613]

Can anyone recommend a power adapter that plugs into an automobile cigarette lighter that would work with the T30? If it would work in an airplane, that would be nice.
I looked around a little, but would prefer some first hand suggestions, if anyone has them.

[rkawakami]

I've had my eye out for a couple of weeks on eBay looking for exactly what you described. Available directly from IBM, the following part numbers are combination AC and DC adapters which are rated at 72 watts, equivalent to the standard AC only supplies:

22P9003
22P9201
73P4485

These adapters normally come with the AC cord, the cigarette lighter plug and an adapter for airline power ports. As I have not yet been able to snag one, I cannot comment on how well they work. Although I do have a couple of snipes ready and waiting....

[ronbo613]

I've got a big, car-sized auxillary battery with a cig lighter plug in it(you can also use it to jump a vehicle), I was thinking of using it in the field with the T30 to review HDV footage, with the video camera connected to the laptop with firewire.
There are some "one size fits all" type adapters, but I don't know how much I would trust them. Targus makes a couple adapters that look OK, newegg carries them.

[jdhurst]

I just use a converter. I plug it into the cigarette lighter and plug the TP power adapter into it. Works like a charm, and it can run other things as well. Used it today on a trip. ... JD Hurst

[jruschme]

FYI, the Targus adapters appear to be OEM versions of the iGo series of adapters. (Also true for the Kensington adapters).

FWIW, I use a Kensington version of the iGo Juice 70 with my T20 and am very pleased with it.

[ronbo613]

I just use a converter. I plug it into the cigarette lighter and plug the TP power adapter into it. Works like a charm, and it can run other things as well.

JD, I'm assuming you have a voltage inverter that converts your car's DC to AC and you plug your standard charger into that? If that's the case, do you find that using the inverter excessively runs your car battery down? I didn't think about an inverter, they are usually pretty cheap, I'll have to check them out.

FYI, the Targus adapters appear to be OEM versions of the iGo series of adapters. (Also true for the Kensington adapters).

Usually, when I look around for this kind of thing, if you can see some photos, you can determine if an item is a "standard-issue" part, re-branded and sold at a higher price. Thanks for the info, I'll check it out.

[jdhurst]

<snip>JD, I'm assuming you have a voltage inverter that converts your car's DC to AC and you plug your standard charger into that? If that's the case, do you find that using the inverter excessively runs your car battery down? I didn't think about an inverter, they are usually pretty cheap, I'll have to check them out.

I only use my Laptop in my car when it is running, so running down the battery is not a problem. You need a different device to connect to an auto battery that is not being charged (such as have been discussed here). ... JD Hurst

[Bob_760]

As I have not yet been able to snag one, I cannot comment on how well they work.

I have one, and it works great. I also have 3 power inverters for various uses in various cars. Inverters are somthing thats nice to have around but using the thinkpad dc charger is much simpler.

Also an inverter will not signifigantly drain a car battery. It will certainly drain it more than the ibm dc charger but its still a minuscule ammount. I really wouldn't worry about it unless you will be using it for quite a long time. I've left my inverter on for hours inside my car relevantly enough charging my laptop before I got my dc charger, and I never once had trouble with the battery being low and not being able to start the car or anything.

[ronbo613]

We used to use inverters to run little TVs while we were camping in Baja. Because the TV signal was going over the ocean, you could get TV signals from LA more than 100 miles away with rabbit ears. A couple times, we killed our batteries while watching baseball or football games.
Anyhoo, I have this battery that you can jump cars with, it has a cigarette lighter plug in it, I figured a car charger would give me a lot of laptop time with it. I've been cruising around the computer stores shopping for an LCD monitor for my PC, it seems there are plenty of car/airplane adapters for about $100.USD.