How much power from one 12v supply?

[MPJ88]

Hi, i'm starting my incar pc build and just wondering how much i can plug into the one 12v cigarette lighter socket.

Would i be ok with a laptop charger and a monitor power cable using some multi point adaptor?

Temporarily been just using the laptops battery whilst using the screen but would like to just leave the laptop wired in.

If not can anyone explain how to wire in another supply?

Thanks

 

[rk696]

150w (11A) is the absolute maximum I would want to pull from a fag lighter plug. I wouldn't want to have sommat permanently running from it though, as the socket is a really sh*t design. If the plug gets a bit loose and starts arcing, the interference this generates might not go down too well with the pc.

I found when I charge a laptop from the car, the plug gets warm, and that's only a 60w charger.

If you have to have it removable, fit a Hella plug somewhere for it. They are a much better desing, and the plug lock into position so it can't work loose.

 

[Slimy]

150w may be the maximum, but as rk says that's not a viable permanent feed. A 1 amp TV screen in mine is enough to make things too hot to touch after an hours driving.

They're really only designed to supply high power for the length of time it takes to light a cigarette, anything else should go on a dedicated supply. And if you're going to an in car build, you might as well avoid cigarette lighter connections altogether and use something a bit more suited to the task. You'll find if you open up most cigarette lighter plugs they are simply two wires, the positive goes to the centre point and the negative goes to the casing. Cut off the plug and replace it.

 

[MPJ88]

Ah ok, so could i just simply remove the wire and use a new/better socket?

Or even just cut off the end of the laptop charger and solder it straight on?

Or how hard is it to run another cable to near the passenger seat with a 12v supply dedicated to the laptop PSU?

 

[Slimy]

Yes, yes, and not overly difficult. Read some of the posts about people getting a new 12 volts feed for replacement head units, chances are their solutions would work fine for you.