Outer Limits 4x4 Board

What are people running at the moment?

I'm going to be going for a dual batteries setup in my next 4WD (coming shortly) and I want to run a laptop from an inverter.

I've come across this one here

http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/lenoxx- ... er-source/

But is that too cheap? What should I be looking for in an inverter?

Bit of a worry how it says 300W on the page but 120W on the product itself...

But if the picture is an error then the price is okay.

I have this one: http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MI5104

One last comment though, if you are planning to run a laptop then you are imho going to be better off getting a DC-DC converter to suit.

eg. http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3474
http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3472

I have both and really, the inverter is reserved for stuff that I can't get in DC form.

Well, so far all I've really wanted to run is a laptop so I think you could be right, I'd be better off with the laptop jobbie.

The 150W one looks good and decently priced. It wouldn't be too hard to wire in. I might just ditch the inverter then

^^^ what the chimp said.

Cheap MSW inverters like those can occasionally wreck laptop batteries, the DC-DC ones will not. I have been using a 60w Jaycar DC-DC PSU for a couple of years and couldn't be happier with it.
They are also safer, smaller, and just better for laptops.

Sweetness. Thats good to hear.

What laptop you running in the car / for what purpose?
You might be able to offer an opinion on this?

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic165610.php

Already offered an opinion

I'm running a P3 laptop (minus screen) mounted behind the rear seat on the cargo barrier with an 8" TFT screen on the dash, running Roadrunner frontend, Oziexplorer and a few other navigational/entertainment/communication/car monitoring apps as well.

Yeah i just realised that Cheers mate.

Sounds like a sweet setup. Not sure how i'll mount my laptop up front

I'm open to suggestions

Dont bother about running a inverter unless you want it to also run some thing like a tv. I bought a power pack for my laptop that runs of 12volts and pulles 3amps i think it cost me about $70 and it pluges in to a Cigeret lighter socket

yep thats what chimp said

eg. http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3474
http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3472

they look pretty good. i think that'll be the option i go with

I just looked at that dealsdirect inverter - it's 300w peak - so it's not a 300w inverter, it's 120w.
Also, I doubt it's isolated, I'd avoid it...

yeah i'm gonna avoid it.

i only need it for the laptop so i like the 150w one from jaycar you suggested