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PC on boat
I used to run a PC on my boat, before I got myself a laptop. You can buy a small inverter at most auto supply/wal mart/stereo stores that will run your PC. But be warned, they are fairly power hungry. Lap top works much better.
I used to run a PC on my boat, before I got myself a laptop. You can buy a small inverter at most auto supply/wal mart/stereo stores that will run your PC. But be warned, they are fairly power hungry. Lap top works much better.
Inverter
Sorry I didn't notice the other post before I posted up. A 100 watt will not run a PC and don't think a 175 will either. Check the power consumption label on the PC. I ran mine off a 300 watt inverter. Thats a lot of battery amps.
Sorry I didn't notice the other post before I posted up. A 100 watt will not run a PC and don't think a 175 will either. Check the power consumption label on the PC. I ran mine off a 300 watt inverter. Thats a lot of battery amps.
mp3car.com
Check out MP3car.com I am using the opus powersupply and a dell optiplex gx150 on my boat
Check out MP3car.com I am using the opus powersupply and a dell optiplex gx150 on my boat
AC/DC power adapter for dell laptops
I have a Dell Inspiron 8600 and bought the AC/DC power adapter from dell. It still sucks 5 to 6 amps though. But by cycling the laptop battery and just use the 12 volt for charging and running the laptop then once it's charged fall back to the laptop battery it works out OK.
I have a Dell Inspiron 8600 and bought the AC/DC power adapter from dell. It still sucks 5 to 6 amps though. But by cycling the laptop battery and just use the 12 volt for charging and running the laptop then once it's charged fall back to the laptop battery it works out OK.
Boat PC options
We didn't have an extra laptop not used for work and were worried about corrosion on the boat. After doing some web browsing found a small marinized turnkey PC system that could serve us very well - we use it as a PC, connect to the internet, DVDs and of course navigation. Best part is we got all this for under $1300 - It took some finding but it's possible. Lynn
We didn't have an extra laptop not used for work and were worried about corrosion on the boat. After doing some web browsing found a small marinized turnkey PC system that could serve us very well - we use it as a PC, connect to the internet, DVDs and of course navigation. Best part is we got all this for under $1300 - It took some finding but it's possible. Lynn
Why??
Other than a liveaboard.... I scratch my head wondering why anyone would want a computer on a boat??
Other than a liveaboard.... I scratch my head wondering why anyone would want a computer on a boat??
We Use A PC For Navigation and Movies
I bought a Asus Pundit a couple of years ago to use as a boat PC. I ran a monitor cable to the pedestal and use a 15" LCD with built in speakers in the cockpit. I also ran a USB cable so we can have a mouse and/or keyboard as needed. It is a very small desktop unit, about 12" by 13" by 3" thick. I mounted it in a locker and made some provisions for extra cooling. It has a CD and we can watch movies in the cockpit if we want. I am not sure exactly how much power it pulls but believe that the computer and monitor together pull about 10 amps at 12 volts. We use the Fugawi navigation software and drive the navigation with a Magellan 320. I also carry a Dell D800 but I am not too crazy about the idea of having it in the cockpit in bad weather. I can cover the monitor with a plastic bag and just keep on going.
I bought a Asus Pundit a couple of years ago to use as a boat PC. I ran a monitor cable to the pedestal and use a 15" LCD with built in speakers in the cockpit. I also ran a USB cable so we can have a mouse and/or keyboard as needed. It is a very small desktop unit, about 12" by 13" by 3" thick. I mounted it in a locker and made some provisions for extra cooling. It has a CD and we can watch movies in the cockpit if we want. I am not sure exactly how much power it pulls but believe that the computer and monitor together pull about 10 amps at 12 volts. We use the Fugawi navigation software and drive the navigation with a Magellan 320. I also carry a Dell D800 but I am not too crazy about the idea of having it in the cockpit in bad weather. I can cover the monitor with a plastic bag and just keep on going.
Buy a laptop and AC/DC plug set up
Mine is made by "iGo Juice" I beleive. It works well but uses about 3 amps to charge my HP laptop. The key to keeping a computer working on a boat is to keep it running and below decks. By keeping it on you keep the insides "Dry" from the heat created by the processor. We try and charge it when the engine is running. I live on the Maine coast and even keep my mome electronics like my stereo amps, computer, printers etc. on all the time to prevent moisture. Living here is not much different than a boat..
Mine is made by "iGo Juice" I beleive. It works well but uses about 3 amps to charge my HP laptop. The key to keeping a computer working on a boat is to keep it running and below decks. By keeping it on you keep the insides "Dry" from the heat created by the processor. We try and charge it when the engine is running. I live on the Maine coast and even keep my mome electronics like my stereo amps, computer, printers etc. on all the time to prevent moisture. Living here is not much different than a boat..
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