How to use your laptop in a car - power inverter for your cigarette lighter

[@biancacarpineanu1165]

super excited! you brought sunshine to our lives. we are totally off grid, just starting and in desperate need of a charger for the laptop. Thanks!!!

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Glad to help - and very cool that you are off the grid! You might want to get a bigger inverter to power more things...

[@indianhorrorstories9146]

I got the same product from black and decker in India, truely complacent with the build quality, have to check performance since i haven't got a chance to check its performance till now.

[@mondocjenson-dy8zd]

I believe a dual 🔋 battery 🚗 setup is worth considering for this type project as I like prospect of using 🖥 my laptop in vehicle

[@michaelcarr6358]

Thank you, sir. You answered my question w/o telling me how to build a watch!

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

You're welcome Michael

[@robinsydney140]

@@imsocraigy A sarcastic figure of speech saying he didn't go into so much unnecessary, minute detail.

[@jinaluce1226]

Thanks for your nice guide video. I just learned how to use Bestek 1000w power inverter from its guide description. After watching this video, I think I have clearly known how to handle this tool to charge laptop in car.

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Great!

[@damianweiss217]

What’s the maximum watts and also amps you can draw from a Tesla 2018 Model X cigarette plug without blowing a fuse or messing up any of the vehicle electronics ?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

This is a great productivity tool for road trips - and you can pick it up for less than $20 on Amazon.

[@egoyegoy23]

+Authentic West Films what does this do to ur car? Do u ran out of gas faster ?

[@KeithMarrocco]

+Mr.Fabi Nator There will be an increased draw on the system that will slightly affect your mileage, but I wouldn't generally think it would be noticeable.

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

+Keith Marrocco Thanks for answering Keith!

[@andreyilkevich]

I just bought 100 watt inverted to use in my 2018 brand new dodge ram 3500 and my fuse got burned down withing 20 minutes just charging( not using and charging) my very small not gaming laptop . The truck is brand new .

[@Israel777888]

@@andreyilkevich Bro, do you know if I can use the inverter with a car battery (without the car, just the battery), to use my laptop?

[@turkeyphant]

What is the no load power draw?

[@iammaxhammer]

Can you use the laptop while it's plugged in or just to charge and then use?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

You can use it while plugged in.

[@iammaxhammer]

@@BrightonsReviewsandMore thank you!

[@chevyvantravel9735]

hi and thank you for this info, been thinking about getting something to charge my computer while i get to the coast. i am also in portland.

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

You're welcome Mimi! Have fun at the coast - but if it's the Oregon coast, you might not have fun there until summer again :-0

[@WHEELSRODSADVENTURE]

the cord you used is the regular power cord of the laptop? 110 volts

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Yes.

[@josegarza55]

Can you run a fan with the engine off and if so how long?

[@jetski275]

Will it hurt the car or laptop over time? Any thoughts on using a device like that everyday?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

I'm not an engineer, but it seems like it's fine. Just don't run the car battery down by using this when the engine isn't running.

[@zomalfa4363]

Is it surge protected??

[@TheCross4All]

Thank you for the info, very helpful!

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

You're welcome

[@marioluquez9842]

Hello great video thanks for this advice, California is a 15 hour from you guys so it lasted you guys all 15 hours? And back

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

That is correct. It's unlimited - as long as the car is running. Unfortunately, I was stolen from my car. But my most recent version has taken us all the way to the tip of the Baja peninsula in Mexico.

[@marioluquez9842]

@@BrightonsReviewsandMore thank you for getting back at me. And thank you for letting me know 👍

[@Superdeduperben11]

I'd be careful using that inverter, looks like a modified sine wave one which could damage your laptop.

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

I was under the assumption that the conversion from AC back to DC in the power brick would make the sine wave issue moot by the time the power got to the laptop. But maybe it's bad for a power brick?

[@Superdeduperben11]

@@BrightonsReviewsandMore Yeah it might damage the adapter.

[@leroyjenkins3179]

What do you mean it could damage a laptop??

[@MohamedAshaif]

Modified sine wave should be used on equipment without motors such as fridge

[@RembrandtFilms]

Thanks! This was really helpful!

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

You're welcome

[@Kncperseus]

Can you use this with a usb powerbank? If you had a usb to cigarette lighter socket adapter?

[@rainafortini5797]

Unless I missed it you forgot to mention what kind of car engine you have? Is it safe to assume this is OK for a hybrid also?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

I think so, but I'm not an expert. If the hybrid has a cigarette lighter, it should be outputting 12V. But I'd check with someone smarter than me :-)

[@Blaznguy36]

I bought one, but I'm having issues with my laptop and cell phone. I was wondering if the electrical signals stored in their batteries from the inverter is the issue?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

John - Sorry you're having troubles. I can't say for sure. It's possible, but I've been told that there shouldn't be a problem because your laptop and phone both use an adapter that converts the AC back to DC, so there's an extra layer of protection. Some cheap chargers do this with less finesse than manufacturers chargers, but I'm not an electrical engineer, so I don't quite understand how it works. I'm not sure how helpful that answer is... but it's the extent of my knowledge. :-(

[@Blaznguy36]

@@BrightonsReviewsandMore a friend brought up the idea that a ground might be an issue.

[@brightonwestvideo]

@@Blaznguy36 That's possible. but my phone charger doesn't have a ground, so I wouldn't think that would matter for a phone.

[@canadapainter658]

do you think if I would hook up two speakers to my notebook and use the inverter as power source the notebook able to handle the two speakers in the car?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

I would think the speakers would be less concern than the wattage of the laptop. You'd need to add up the wattage. Maybe use something like this to measure the actual wattage when the speakers are plugged in (and the laptop is working hard at something.) amzn.to/2CSG2kb

[@melindalemmon2149]

I need power for a personal fan when car is NOT running. Can I use that? And how long?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Melinda. It would work if your cigarette lighter works with the car off. Most do not. And it could drain your battery if you used it with your car off. Check out this fan. It looks like it can run off your car battery when the car is running and off internal batteries when you turn it off. No need to the inverter from this video. amzn.to/2ITuLHh

[@williamcallahanlll2924]

Can this power up a lightbulb in my box truck?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Yes - it should power up to a 100 watt light bulb

[@timmy96815]

how fast woudl the battery run down if you had c ar off and running one laptop please.

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Sorry, I don't know. I haven't tried it.

[@johnnyrodriguez276]

What is a good brand? I bought cyberpower for My laptop it worked in the beginning but all of a sudden lost power and won't turn on or charge I bought it at best buy no good

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

I'm not sure about brand names, but I've had good luck with these too: amzn.to/31BXbyU and amzn.to/3DCfTUf

[@SunnyDays09]

The question is, is it safe for an HP (PC computer) ???

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

You'd need to look at your power adapter. I think if it was drawing less than 100 watts, it should work. But HP adapters can go all the way up to 200 watts (not very common.)

[@shantaynelson5871]

How did you get internet service on your laptop? Did you guys use your phone’s hotspot?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Yup - we used our iPhones for Internet (except there were some spots in the mountains of California where that didn't work.)

[@persiangodlegend8166]

can i hook the kitchen stove up to it

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Only if it's a gas stove.

[@persiangodlegend8166]

@@BrightonsReviewsandMore 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Israel777888]

Bro, do you know if I can use the inverter with a car battery (without the car, just the battery), to use my laptop?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Sure - I'm not sure how long the battery will last. Some inverters come with cables to attach to a battery. Like this one: amzn.to/36zmWOh

[@mahoganyspiritually]

Does it take away from the car battery

[@brightonwestvideo]

As long as your car is running, your alternative recharges the battery. But I wouldn't use this with the car turned off. I've killed my car battery just having my cell phone plugged in (and charging) for 30 minutes!

[@gcgycfvyggug8997]

Hi, i wanted to connect my speakers to this device in the plug but my speakers are 350Watts. could you tell me which adapter is best to buy

[@SlavicUnionGaming]

Gcgycf Vyggug8 Search on Amazon for a 400 watt power inverter

[@SlavicUnionGaming]

Gcgycf Vyggug8 it doesn't matter which one you buy, its the required watts that matter

[@timesuprepo2]

Will this power a gaming laptop

[@garaFS-kun]

It's the same thing...

[@jamescollins6085]

Old comment, but I'll still reply just in case. A lot of gaming laptops will draw well over the 120 watt specification of this inverter, especially when you factor in the inefficiency of the AC-DC conversion taking place inside the laptop's power adapter. You also cannot increase the wattage of the inverter, as most modern cars are limited to only 10A (~120W) on the cigarette lighter socket. However, on some older cars you can draw as much as 20A (240w @ 12V) from the cigarette lighter socket. Be sure to check the book your car came with to be certain.

[@GotTwins29]

I just bought the 140 watt Stanley power inverter and tested it with my multi meter today. There is an accessory plug in my truck that is always powered next to the roach/cig lighter. My voltage reading on the inverter that was plugged into the accessory plug with the truck engine off was ranging between 117-121 volts. Then tested it with the truck engine running and the voltage dropped significantly. It dropped down to approx. 90-95 volts which is not good when most things plugged in being charged usually require a min of 115 volts to charge correctly. I hope your batteries are still keeping a charge. Has anyone else tested this? I haven't found a video. I could make and post a short video if anyone thinks it would help with questions.

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Thanks for posting. If you post a video showing how to use a multi-meter, I'll test mine. I know I have one sitting in a box in the basement. I'm always intimidated by those things. :-(

[@Israel777888]

Bro, do you know if I can use the inverter with a car battery (without the car, just the battery), to use my laptop?

[@rainsing7830]

@@Israel777888 you should always use it with the car running because you don't want to use up all your car battery and breakdown the car batterie charge via the alternator when the engine is on

[@Israel777888]

@@rainsing7830 I want to go to a mountain (without car/electric grid), and use my laptop there for hours. So my idea is to carry a small car battery and an inverter, or you suggest something else? Thank you.

[@rainsing7830]

@@Israel777888 if you want to spend a little bit of money you can get a electric generator like a jackery or goal zero they can recharge with solar

[@NostalgiaFPS]

Thank you so much! Very helpful!

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

You're welcome. We were so excited to find this little device - I had to share! Made our road trip much more productive.

[@NostalgiaFPS]

Mine just came in 2 days ago... I love it! We are charging our phones and playing video games in the car now!

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

tryhardbballer Awesome! these are the best little tools!

[@gazaziho]

The inverter is to small to power laptop .

[@privateuploads5397]

my tuf F15 laptop is piece of sht. 240W and it blown my fuse when I put on my 200W cig socket inverter. I put on 20amps fuse, it still cant handle it.

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

You may need to find a way to plug directly into the battery for something 240W.

[@JesusHernandez-gh7wl]

Can you play video games while your laptop is charging?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

I don’t see why not

[@stingray6164]

WHERE CAN I GET ONE

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

It looks like it's out of stock, but we purchased this one: amzn.to/3wWpORT (after our car was broken into and the one from the video was stolen.)

[@arnoldsallegue1001]

Where we can buy that one?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

It's available on Amazon for $20: amzn.to/2tJl5WM

[@dlouis1830]

Be careful what you put on it, the more power draw the more you risk burning out your socket

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Thanks. I hadn't thought about that. I'm sure there's a way to calculate what is safe... but that's beyond me.

[@KrisShadow216]

Next thing is a 120 watt freezer for food, or a 60 watt freezer and 60 watt heater

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Let me know where I can find a 120 watt freezer (or a 60 watt heater) :-)

[@SlavicUnionGaming]

there is no freezer that is 60 watts thats impossible

[@tristan6509]

@@BrightonsReviewsandMore cheap peltier module freezer, and a soldering iron

[@sawyerspain5396]

1:03 make sure the car is TURNT ON LOL

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

You laugh - but I killed my car battery in 20 minute just plugging in my cell phone to the lighter (not this inverter - just a USB adapter in the lighter.) It's amazing how that little thing can chew up a car battery!

[@informalaccount.957]

@@BrightonsReviewsandMore sounds like a battery problem

[@mondocjenson-dy8zd]

L😂L

[@samuelroque1634]

Will this help if i connect my ps4?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

I'm not sure how much power a PS4 needs. You may need a bigger one.

[@crazyccrazyc-yj2wd]

Can I plug in my electric edger?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Probably not.

[@7StarsMA]

Better to get a direct charger. The energy wasted going 12v to 120v to 19v is a big drain on a car. Better to go 12v to 19v.

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Great point. I'll have to pick one of those up and make another video!

[@meshanmahendran740]

waht is the name of this device

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

This is a Stanley Power Inverter. geni.us/RRBinCh

[@tristan6509]

@@BrightonsReviewsandMore it's basically just rebadged Chinese crap, mine says taffware

[@farishakim6759]

just wondering, is it okay if I want to use this inverter to play xbox one in my car?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

You may need a more powerful inverter. I think Xbox uses a lot of energy.

[@VIRGILSHELTONII]

Get a larger inverter, that hooks directly to battery, and then... Yes

[@jasonborg9044]

thanks

[@Demimorph]

How much strain does it put on the car battery itself? Does the car battery's life span is significantly decreased from sucking too much power from it?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

I wouldn't think so. You wouldn't want to use it without the engine (and alternator) running to keep the battery charged.

[@TheHomiePopo]

currently unavailable

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Sorry. I also use this one in my other car and I like it. It's a bit easier to fit because it has a short cord: amzn.to/42uHVxo

[@richslaney4775]

Is this a pure sine wave inverter?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

No, it's not.

[@give4mydream904]

Non pure sine wave ? I won't use it to my gadget

[@shantaymadison5581]

very accurate plans for something like that I found on Avasva

[@benjohnson8963]

My at home laptop charger says 130 watts (Dell Inspiron 15 7567) Will this inverter work to charge it or should i go with the 140 watt version www.amazon.com/STANLEY-FATMAX-PCI140-Power-Inverter/dp/B00LO20AIK I'm worried that if I use the 140 watt version it could possibly do damage?

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

As I understand it, you want to have an inverter with much more power than you need. You definitely need at least 130 watts. And having extra power in the inverter cannot do damage - it's just extra that doesn't get used.

[@BroccoliBeefed]

How come these people that make these videos never tell us where we can get these things??!!!

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

The link is in the description

[@Murlock2000]

120 Watt is NOT more then enough to power a laptop, sure maybe a macbook "pro" but if you have a more powerful laptop then its pretty common that they require 150watt and some even 200watt.

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Maybe, but my Macbook Pro works with this setup, and my wife's Macbook Air works too. I guess if you have a superpower laptop, you'll need a bigger inverter. But according to Google, the average laptop uses 60W.

[@stonemuzza8311]

Authentic West Films do you know if you can get these for the uk because that’s a funky plug

[@paperwork1125]

My power supply says it is 1.75 amps at 19 volts which = 33.25 watts. Maybe better off running it at 19 volts...

[@wiganfan3373]

Re you the kid from Ee Eerie Indiana TV Show

[@KeithMarrocco]

I would suggest an inverter that generates a sine wave output as opposed to a square wave output and oh look you've gone cross-eyed...

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

+Keith Marrocco You lost me at sine wave... isn't that a term from trigonometry or something? Ohhh... bad memories... curling up in fetal position...

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

+Keith Marrocco Actually, recent laptop power bricks and desktop power supplies are switched mode power supplies (SMPS). An SMPS typically rectifies the power line voltage, then uses a high frequency oscillator to "chop" this DC, a small transformer to step this switching voltage down as well as isolate it from the power line, and finally regulates the output voltage to the required levels using an integrated sense mechanism feeding back to the high frequency oscillator. An SMPS is not particularly sensitive to power line waveform, as the rectifier stage turns it all into a ripply form of DC anyway. Yes, the high voltage section immediately after power line rectification would see a difference in voltage due to waveform change, but that doesn't matter very much: Many "universal" SMPS designs are rated for 90-250 Volts 50/60 Hz operation anyway. If the power line supply is a square wave, the higher harmonics might stress some components in the high voltage portion of the SMPS beyond their ideal design parameters. Also, there is a tiny possibility of higher-harmonic noise sneaking onto the output rails. However, typical inverters, even the poor quality ones we have analyzed for some projects, tend to deliver at least a somewhat smoothed trapezoidal waveform rather than a square wave. Adverse impact on the SMPS is negligible in such cases. If the SMPS is reasonably well-designed, the actual computing hardware (laptop, or desktop motherboard) will not face any problems due to non-sine power line waveforms. - BTW - this is cut and pasted to make me look intelligent - I have no clue what this guy is talking about. But I stole it from here: electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/47235/how-does-an-inverter-affect-the-computer

[@geez9820]

Pure sine wave and modified sine wave (square wave) that is Keith is talking about. Pure sine wave is better for the battery, since it changes phases smoothly thus charging your battery smoother. With a square wave, it is like... charge, stop, charge, stop... it creates voltage spike in between phases, with time, it will wear out the battery that has being used through the outlet socket (normal power cord). Of cause, once in a while, it won't cause too much damage but if use daily, a pure since wave inverter is better for the battery lifespan and other electronics devices.

[@laurentaylor17]

U would know how to use an inverter bud. U look like the sort.

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Ummm... thanks?

[@sajiwan1]

You have wife really

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

Yeah, and he's super sexy

[@jmrimna8553]

Get a haircut

[@BrightonsReviewsandMore]

I just got one last week! Thanks for the reminder mom.

[@marku2535]

Authentic West Films lmao

[@kennyc388]

Good idea Alice, I thought you were a friggin lesbian.