Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I am putting my laptop in so it is easier on me for my reports and other stuff. But I am not for sure how big of a power inverter to get. 300w-750w? Any help would be apperaciated.

You don't need anything higher than 250-300. You could brown out your laptop if you do. Most don't take over 200.

Geez, how big of a laptop are you running?

I'm running a HP dv5000 with a 15" screen that draws less than 100 watts and got a "Power Line" inverter at the Walmart electronics section with two ac outlets for less than $40. No hotwiring needed, plugs into the cig lighter. I've been running this for over a year now. I also run a web cam on my dash and a GPS for MS Streets with the antenna in the sunroof. To import photos I have a USB hub mounted in the dash of my SUV.

Geez, how big of a laptop are you running?

I'm running a HP dv5000 with a 15" screen that draws less than 100 watts and got a "Power Line" inverter at the Walmart electronics section with two ac outlets for less than $40. No hotwiring needed, plugs into the cig lighter. I've been running this for over a year now. I also run a web cam on my dash and a GPS for MS Streets with the antenna in the sunroof. To import photos I have a USB hub mounted in the dash of my SUV.

Just a HP, I had no idea what size, but now I know :)

Just a HP, I had no idea what size, but now I know :)


I wedged my inverter between the center console and the passengers seat and haven't had to move it since.

It has a fan on the bottom side of it where the plug wire comes out. After a few weeks it started to make a soft whirring noise occasionally, enough to bother passengers. Although I could have returned it to the store and exchanged it, I took it apart and sprayed some lubricant on the fan hub and haven't heard any noise come out of it for over a year, now.

A guy I work with bought a big Black & Decker inverter that could be wired into the battery or plugged in... he is running a HP zd8000 17 inch. He had it blowing fuses in his cig lighter within the first 4 months before the inverter screwed up and won't pay the $ to have it wired.

IMHO, a 17" is too big for in-car use. My next one will be 14".

Let me know if you are needing a car mount. I have a suggestion or two there as well.

The easiest way to determine the size of your needed inverter is to look on the bottom of your lap top. There is an info plate that will tell you how many watts the laptop requires to run. I have a 75 watt invertor for mine and I have no problems with it. You should be able to buy one at any radio shack, or electronics store for $25 to $40

Why don't you just buy a cigarette lighter adapter for your regular charger. Then put the charger and extra cord in between or under the seats? That's what we do with our laptops, but then again, we also have like 6 cigarette lighters!:)

Target has a nice 100 watt job that also airline capable. $30. I too have been looking around for one and according to what I found , my 14.1 in screen Toshiba is easily powered by 75 watts.