Are most laptops ok to be plugged into generators?

sawir · 02-26-2007, 08:00 PM

Hi Guys,

I was wondering Are most laptops ok to be plugged into generators? I've heard that some need to run through inverters???

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 02-26-2007, 08:03 PM

I think that it won't hurt it if it is newer but i would not recomend using it whill it is charging for there.

**TheMatt** · 02-26-2007, 09:18 PM

Does the generator have a standard 115/120 v output? If so, and it is rated for the wattage of your laptop (generally ranging rfrom 60 - 120 watts), then it should be fine. You will always have to use the power adapter for your laptop, though. That is the brick you see on the floor that the power cord goes through.

sawir · 02-26-2007, 09:31 PM

Thanks Guys, but why would you need a inverter if you did. A friend of mine actually said that some laptops require you to have a inverter if you want to connect it to a generator.

yustr · 02-27-2007, 07:52 AM

An inverter converts DC to AC. Your laptop needs to see AC - even though it actually uses DC. The power brick does the conversion (is that verting or maybe un-inverting???) I don't know about generators but my old Sony would not "see" the power coming from an inverter connected in my car. It seems the sine wave cycle was limited and the power circuit in the Sony refused to recognize it. So I guess it depends on the generator and on the signal it was sending. A generator intended for home use will produce a AC signal = no inverter necessary. Some may produce a DC signal = inverter required.

**TheMatt** · 02-27-2007, 01:32 PM

I have an inverter that works in cars. It is a radioshack 150 w inverter. That should be fine for pretty much all laptops. You can get it at a local radioshack.

sawir · 02-27-2007, 04:01 PM

Thanks Guys for all your expertise. I will now move on and tell my friend about all the knowledge that I picked up from all of you's.

Cheers!

Tumbleweed36 · 02-27-2007, 04:15 PM

Hi,

One additional comment. If you are using or planning on using a gasoline generator like when there is a power outage, then one has to be very careful with things like computers or other electronic contraptions, because many generators don't generate power that is as "clean and constant" as the standard AC outlet that you have in a house for example. The lack of "clean and constant" power can have an effect upon sensitive electronic components.

02-26-2007, 08:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
sawir Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3 OS: 2000 Professional	Are most laptops ok to be plugged into generators? Hi Guys, I was wondering Are most laptops ok to be plugged into generators? I've heard that some need to run through inverters???

02-26-2007, 08:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	I think that it won't hurt it if it is newer but i would not recomend using it whill it is charging for there. __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

02-26-2007, 09:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Does the generator have a standard 115/120 v output? If so, and it is rated for the wattage of your laptop (generally ranging rfrom 60 - 120 watts), then it should be fine. You will always have to use the power adapter for your laptop, though. That is the brick you see on the floor that the power cord goes through. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides Last edited by TheMatt; 02-26-2007 at 09:19 PM.

02-26-2007, 09:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
sawir Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3 OS: 2000 Professional	Sawir Thanks Guys, but why would you need a inverter if you did. A friend of mine actually said that some laptops require you to have a inverter if you want to connect it to a generator.

02-27-2007, 07:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
yustr Asst. Manager, The Conversation Pit Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut shore Posts: 6,039 OS: XP Pro My System	An inverter converts DC to AC. Your laptop needs to see AC - even though it actually uses DC. The power brick does the conversion (is that verting or maybe un-inverting???) I don't know about generators but my old Sony would not "see" the power coming from an inverter connected in my car. It seems the sine wave cycle was limited and the power circuit in the Sony refused to recognize it. So I guess it depends on the generator and on the signal it was sending. A generator intended for home use will produce a AC signal = no inverter necessary. Some may produce a DC signal = inverter required. __________________ If there are lawyers or politicians involved, logic may be a very poor tool for reaching a conclusion. Last edited by yustr; 02-27-2007 at 07:53 AM.

02-27-2007, 01:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	I have an inverter that works in cars. It is a radioshack 150 w inverter. That should be fine for pretty much all laptops. You can get it at a local radioshack. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

02-27-2007, 04:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
sawir Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3 OS: 2000 Professional	Thanks Guys Thanks Guys for all your expertise. I will now move on and tell my friend about all the knowledge that I picked up from all of you's. Cheers!

02-27-2007, 04:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,639 OS: XP Professional	Hi, One additional comment. If you are using or planning on using a gasoline generator like when there is a power outage, then one has to be very careful with things like computers or other electronic contraptions, because many generators don't generate power that is as "clean and constant" as the standard AC outlet that you have in a house for example. The lack of "clean and constant" power can have an effect upon sensitive electronic components. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.