I want to install a mini or micro PC on my boat for navigation, with very low consumption, and directly connected on the 12v battery. I would like it to spend less than 2 amps on 12 v. Do you have any experience of it or any product to recommend. thanks, Gerard.
Low consumption PC
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> 75 Watts ?
I think that most Laptops consume about 75 - 100 Watts (PC’s generally a little more @ ± 500W), which works out to about 6 to 8 Amps @ 12.5VDC. Amps = Watts / Volts = 75 W / 12.5 V = 6 Amps You'd need to find a unit rated less than 25 Watts.
I think that most Laptops consume about 75 - 100 Watts (PC’s generally a little more @ ± 500W), which works out to about 6 to 8 Amps @ 12.5VDC. Amps = Watts / Volts = 75 W / 12.5 V = 6 Amps You'd need to find a unit rated less than 25 Watts.
Macs to really well
Macs have a good reputation when it comes to low power consumption. Check out the specs at http://www.everymac.com/systems/index.html. While they don't have a spec for Amps or Watts/hr they do have the battery size in Watt/hrs and how long the battery lasts. For example, one battery is 55 Watt/hr and lasts 6 hrs and you can take it from there. Since these little items are a bit spendy I'd recommend you really check out your proposed setup carefully to make sure you don't ruin the laptop. Since computers of any kind like reasonably clean power you might have to add some kind of a power conditioner in your system. Brownouts, high voltage, and spikes are all recepies for damaging the computer.
Macs have a good reputation when it comes to low power consumption. Check out the specs at http://www.everymac.com/systems/index.html. While they don't have a spec for Amps or Watts/hr they do have the battery size in Watt/hrs and how long the battery lasts. For example, one battery is 55 Watt/hr and lasts 6 hrs and you can take it from there. Since these little items are a bit spendy I'd recommend you really check out your proposed setup carefully to make sure you don't ruin the laptop. Since computers of any kind like reasonably clean power you might have to add some kind of a power conditioner in your system. Brownouts, high voltage, and spikes are all recepies for damaging the computer.
Mini PC or Centrino Laptop
Yes, I got that. I guess that some mini or micro PCs, powered on 12v directly, are just around 25w. Does anyone know a company building those kind of PCs ? On the other hand, a Centrino base laptop PC would also be around 25w. Does anyone give me an advice to choose the right one: the one which consume the least. Thanks.
Yes, I got that. I guess that some mini or micro PCs, powered on 12v directly, are just around 25w. Does anyone know a company building those kind of PCs ? On the other hand, a Centrino base laptop PC would also be around 25w. Does anyone give me an advice to choose the right one: the one which consume the least. Thanks.
John Nantz What Software?
What navigation software runs on a Mac? The ones I have seen so far all run on PC only.
What navigation software runs on a Mac? The ones I have seen so far all run on PC only.
My new/old Sony uses 2 amps at 12 volts.
It used to use 1 amp when I had it wired directly into ships power but the screen flickered. It's power supply (brick) put out 19.5 volts at 12 volts. I found a automotive power supply with an adjustable output. (step-up transformer) I set it to 19.5 volts and plugged it into ships 12volt power. It works perfectly but now the laptop used 2 amps. We can afford it. The laptop is an older Sony, Pentium PIII, 500MHz, 14" LCD display running XP. The power meter on the ship is analog. But it is consistent with the readings from the older and replaced meter. Besides, Blue Sea Systems wouldn't lie.
This is picture #102 from my web site. The power consumption observed is with the wireless keyboard and mouse too.
It used to use 1 amp when I had it wired directly into ships power but the screen flickered. It's power supply (brick) put out 19.5 volts at 12 volts. I found a automotive power supply with an adjustable output. (step-up transformer) I set it to 19.5 volts and plugged it into ships 12volt power. It works perfectly but now the laptop used 2 amps. We can afford it. The laptop is an older Sony, Pentium PIII, 500MHz, 14" LCD display running XP. The power meter on the ship is analog. But it is consistent with the readings from the older and replaced meter. Besides, Blue Sea Systems wouldn't lie.
This is picture #102 from my web site. The power consumption observed is with the wireless keyboard and mouse too.Pretty cool Fred
I've got a new 3 pound road warrior Sony VAIO VGN-T150P notebook for work, whose ac inverter is rated at 4 amps output at 16 volts. I have an ac watt meter that shows it only draws 15 watts when I have an external monitor operating, just 21 watts on the notebook monitor. I imagine it'll be substantially more if I'm using the DVD/CD drive, e.g., watching a video. But my question is, where'd you get the step-up transformer? I'd like to get one, figure it'll likely be more efficient than inverting to ac, then going thru the notebook's power supply.
I've got a new 3 pound road warrior Sony VAIO VGN-T150P notebook for work, whose ac inverter is rated at 4 amps output at 16 volts. I have an ac watt meter that shows it only draws 15 watts when I have an external monitor operating, just 21 watts on the notebook monitor. I imagine it'll be substantially more if I'm using the DVD/CD drive, e.g., watching a video. But my question is, where'd you get the step-up transformer? I'd like to get one, figure it'll likely be more efficient than inverting to ac, then going thru the notebook's power supply.
Bill, I was afraid you'd ask, I'm looking,,,,,,,
Ah ha! MEGA WATTS COMPUTERS from Oklahoma. I found them with a google. Cost $39 with the freight. Radio Shack has a version for $66.00. The manufacturer is www.fellowes.com. The model number is 99425. Works in cars and airplanes. Puts out up to 50 watts. I haven't found MEGA's web address yet. I'll come back and edit if I do. Go get 'em. Got it, try the link. This is Megamacs, a division of Mega Watt. And Bill, the reason I wired this way was to avoid going from ships power at 12 volts, to inverter, then to AC power supply, then back to DC ?volts. I wired my 17" flat screen TV directly to 12 volts too. Draws 3 amps.
Ah ha! MEGA WATTS COMPUTERS from Oklahoma. I found them with a google. Cost $39 with the freight. Radio Shack has a version for $66.00. The manufacturer is www.fellowes.com. The model number is 99425. Works in cars and airplanes. Puts out up to 50 watts. I haven't found MEGA's web address yet. I'll come back and edit if I do. Go get 'em.
Got it, try the link. This is Megamacs, a division of Mega Watt. And Bill, the reason I wired this way was to avoid going from ships power at 12 volts, to inverter, then to AC power supply, then back to DC ?volts. I wired my 17" flat screen TV directly to 12 volts too. Draws 3 amps.
Patrick - I don't use navigation software
I'm not a good person to ask because, unfortunately, I don't use navigation software and so far have got by just fine with charts. Happened to talk to one of the major electronic charting companies at the Seattle boat show (maybe Map Tech?) they said their product works on the Mac but because I wasn't interested I didn't persue it. Besides, there is software that will run PC software on a Mac which is handy for people switching over and who have legacy software. What is interesting is the code for Mac is much shorter than for the PC, that is, it takes several lines of PC code to equal one line of Mac code and besides that it's easier to write so the developers tell me. I also find it interesting that the MS Office staff at Microsoft is only a few people they manage to stay abreast of or even ahead of the PC Office group which has a huge staff. Anyway, about all we've used the iBook for when cruising is to get our email, check stock prices, and see what's hapening in the world. There's something about trying to get away from it all... now if I could only find a way to water and mow the lawn while I'm away Captain Cook got by just fine with a compass and a lead line so I figure that I don't have to get too carried away. Besides, it's kinda nice reading on the paper chart about which areas that were surveyed and when, f.e., 1886, etc.). Makes one think about those figures! My wife likes watching the little boat on the computer so since the Admiral tends to get whatever she wants we'll probably eventually get something to keep her happy, right?
I'm not a good person to ask because, unfortunately, I don't use navigation software and so far have got by just fine with charts. Happened to talk to one of the major electronic charting companies at the Seattle boat show (maybe Map Tech?) they said their product works on the Mac but because I wasn't interested I didn't persue it. Besides, there is software that will run PC software on a Mac which is handy for people switching over and who have legacy software. What is interesting is the code for Mac is much shorter than for the PC, that is, it takes several lines of PC code to equal one line of Mac code and besides that it's easier to write so the developers tell me. I also find it interesting that the MS Office staff at Microsoft is only a few people they manage to stay abreast of or even ahead of the PC Office group which has a huge staff. Anyway, about all we've used the iBook for when cruising is to get our email, check stock prices, and see what's hapening in the world. There's something about trying to get away from it all... now if I could only find a way to water and mow the lawn while I'm away
Captain Cook got by just fine with a compass and a lead line so I figure that I don't have to get too carried away. Besides, it's kinda nice reading on the paper chart about which areas that were surveyed and when, f.e., 1886, etc.). Makes one think about those figures! My wife likes watching the little boat on the computer so since the Admiral tends to get whatever she wants we'll probably eventually get something to keep her happy, right?2.5Amps
I have used an old Dell Latitude Cpi for several years now-I plug it into a 12V inverter-she uses around 2.5amps to keep her charged. I use a free software program called SeaClearII. Of course, I don’t keep it running all the time, just when I’m close or hopelessly lost-so I guess the truth is that she does run a lot.
I have used an old Dell Latitude Cpi for several years now-I plug it into a 12V inverter-she uses around 2.5amps to keep her charged. I use a free software program called SeaClearII. Of course, I don’t keep it running all the time, just when I’m close or hopelessly lost-so I guess the truth is that she does run a lot.
John, what are we doing on-line with this weather?
Good post. One thing though. I use MapTech. Their charts and other vendor's too, are the really real NOAA charts. (or DMA or Canadian) It's all there. You're right, fun to read.
Good post. One thing though. I use MapTech. Their charts and other vendor's too, are the really real NOAA charts. (or DMA or Canadian) It's all there. You're right, fun to read.
For Dell, IBM, or what ever
you can get a "universal" laptop power supply at Radio shack. I would recomend you take it apart and spray it with Bull Frog electronics water replant. I got one for my Dell C600 I use as a nav station. It converts the 12V to 20V much more efficent than an inverter. It draws about 1-2 amps, and none when the laptop is off and not charging.
you can get a "universal" laptop power supply at Radio shack. I would recomend you take it apart and spray it with Bull Frog electronics water replant. I got one for my Dell C600 I use as a nav station. It converts the 12V to 20V much more efficent than an inverter. It draws about 1-2 amps, and none when the laptop is off and not charging.
Mac Nav Software
Patrick. I noted about a week ago the following post: Submitted by MasonMcD on 02/13/2005 at 07:01AM regarding General_interest If anyone prefers a mac instead of a PC: GPS software: http://www.gpsnavx.com/index.php?page=Home http://www.macgpspro.com/html/newhtml/menu/macgpspro.html Laptops: iBook: http://www.apple.com/ibook/ Powerbook: http://www.apple.com/powerbook/ Small Form Factor (works with most any keyboard and display): http://www.apple.com/macmini/
Patrick. I noted about a week ago the following post: Submitted by MasonMcD on 02/13/2005 at 07:01AM regarding General_interest If anyone prefers a mac instead of a PC: GPS software: http://www.gpsnavx.com/index.php?page=Home http://www.macgpspro.com/html/newhtml/menu/macgpspro.html Laptops: iBook: http://www.apple.com/ibook/ Powerbook: http://www.apple.com/powerbook/ Small Form Factor (works with most any keyboard and display): http://www.apple.com/macmini/
Hey Daryl,
After visiting your web site I have trouble believing you about being lost all the time.
After visiting your web site I have trouble believing you about being lost all the time.
Fred - What was I doing on-line???
???..... waiting for LUNCH to be served!!! After washing the dodger and geting it dry, this morning I read the instructions on the 303 High Tech Fabric Guard water and stain repellent prior to using it. Good thing I did, too! Lets see.... above 70ºF and below 30%RH. Hmmmmm, in the Puget Sound the high for the day is forcasted to be 49ºF (then there is the real world) and my guess is the humidity was probably above 70%RH and with a wind chill somewhere around 20 to 30ºF! What to do??? "Wifey, can I pleeeeease use the kitchen this morning? Just got this little project...." So, after some bargaining ... "it WILL be okay honey! And no, it WON'T ruin the vinyl floor, I promise.(fingers crossed)" ;D Spread the dodger out on the floor and sprayed the 303 on it and by tomorrow (oh, the instructions say to expect a day to dry but longer if it is cooler or the humidity is higher) we'll probably put it on the boat (after washing the boat AGAIN) tomorrow. After applying the 303 we headed off down to Shelton where we got to watch some lucky bloke sailing up Hamersly Inlet under a clear blue sky while we sat in the car with the heater running. New for 2005: we plan to test the boat lines with white vinegar to see if it will combat that green *stuff*. Which calls to mind something my wife read me yesterday. Can you believe that someone from Port Townsend actually wrote in to the garden section of a national magazine and asked how he could grow moss??? Pardon moi.... is there another Port Townsend in Washington??? Maybe he was just a tourist or a recent arrival?
???..... waiting for LUNCH to be served!!! After washing the dodger and geting it dry, this morning I read the instructions on the 303 High Tech Fabric Guard water and stain repellent prior to using it. Good thing I did, too! Lets see.... above 70ºF and below 30%RH. Hmmmmm, in the Puget Sound the high for the day is forcasted to be 49ºF (then there is the real world) and my guess is the humidity was probably above 70%RH and with a wind chill somewhere around 20 to 30ºF! What to do??? "Wifey, can I pleeeeease use the kitchen this morning? Just got this little project...." So, after some bargaining ... "it WILL be okay honey! And no, it WON'T ruin the vinyl floor, I promise.(fingers crossed)" ;D Spread the dodger out on the floor and sprayed the 303 on it and by tomorrow (oh, the instructions say to expect a day to dry but longer if it is cooler or the humidity is higher) we'll probably put it on the boat (after washing the boat AGAIN) tomorrow. After applying the 303 we headed off down to Shelton where we got to watch some lucky bloke sailing up Hamersly Inlet under a clear blue sky while we sat in the car with the heater running. New for 2005: we plan to test the boat lines with white vinegar to see if it will combat that green *stuff*. Which calls to mind something my wife read me yesterday. Can you believe that someone from Port Townsend actually wrote in to the garden section of a national magazine and asked how he could grow moss??? Pardon moi.... is there another Port Townsend in Washington??? Maybe he was just a tourist or a recent arrival?
John, Moss?
It grows on my fiberglass boat deck and my house deck. Even on the tailgate of my truck, not to mention the entire yard and the roofs too. Ah, the northwest.
It grows on my fiberglass boat deck and my house deck. Even on the tailgate of my truck, not to mention the entire yard and the roofs too. Ah, the northwest.
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